Pentagram

Bottomless – Bottomless Review

By Steel Druhm on July 15, 2021 in Reviews, 31 comments

“One of the most anticipated releases on my radar this month was a debut from brand new Italian doom metal act Bottomless. Most of said anticipation came from the fact it featured Messa’s outstanding vocalist Sara Bianchin on bass rather than vocals. That seemed such an odd twist that it made me curious what the Bottomless sound would consist of. As it turns out the band travels in the same circles as vintage Pentagram and Saint Vitus but with a slightly more stoner-esque edge than either of those classic acts possessed.” Love letters to the Doom Lords.

Demon Incarnate – Leaves of Zaqqum Review

By Holdeneye on June 17, 2021 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, 18 comments

“For two weeks in a row, I found promos that claim Candlemass as a major influence, and I simply had to have them. Last week saw me positively handling former Candlemass vocalist Rob Lowe’s new project Grief Collector, so I was hoping to ride that slow, bludgeoning wave into this week as I tackle the groovy doom of Germany’s Demon Incarnate.” Break out the grief blower.

The Limit – Caveman Logic Review

By Steel Druhm on April 9, 2021 in Reviews, 25 comments

“I’m not the biggest fan of the so called “super group” or “all star collaboration.” Nine times out of ten these end up pointless vanity projects with little to recommend them beyond the cast of players. Are there exceptions? Sure, that’s why I said NINE out of ten. The Limit definitely qualifies as a super group, featuring members of Pentagram (Bobby Liebling) and 70s punk icons The Stooges (Jimmy Recca) and Testors (Sonny Vincent). In an effort to pay homage to the 70s punk scene the members cut their teeth in, Caveman Logic is a collection of hard charging garage rock tunes with a pronounced punk attitude.” Early men doing primitive rock,

Raven – Metal City Review

By Huck N Roll on September 16, 2020 in 2020, Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 40 comments

“Ah, Raven. Lovable goofballs from the dawn of the NWoBHM, perhaps best known for having a drummer who wore hockey equipment and their rather exuberant brand of “athletic rock.” Having been a teen during the dawn of this bygone era, I ate up most of Raven’s discography through the eighties, and played my All for One cassette to the point of it being worn out. Sadly, the band’s attempt to join the ranks of the hair metal bands with 1986’s The Pack is Back was a bad move that alienated the band’s fanbase, and they never really recovered.” Metal City. The city by the bay.

Valkyrie – Fear Review

By Steel Druhm on July 24, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Occult Rock, 28 comments

“Summertime is when I’m most susceptible to the bleary-eyed charms of jammy, fuzzed out retro/occult doom. That kind of music just seems to go with warmer days and brighter skies. Virginia’s Valkyrie play their cards right by dropping their 4th album in the middle of a New York heat wave, as my brain is already hot-wired to embrace what they’re doing on Fear.” Fear is the riff dealer.

Pale Divine – Consequence of Time Review

By Steel Druhm on June 23, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 57 comments

“Generally speaking, bands don’t wait until their 25th year in existence to hit their peak. Don’t tell that to Pale Divine though. Pennsylvania’s best kept secret has been quietly churning out beefy classic doom albums since the turn of the century, basing their sound around Trouble, Black Sabbath and Pentagram, with a gritty biker rock edge making everything feel sturdy and muscular.” Time has been good to some of us.

Tar Pit – Tomb of Doom Review

By Carcharodon on June 24, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Doom Metal, Ordo MCM Records, Reviews, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Sludge, 29 comments

“There is, at least to my ears, a point at which doom, stoner rock, and sludge all intersect, at which point it’s hard to definitively class a band one thing or the other. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the common roots these sub-genres all share in Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Trouble, et al. And it is this murky, fuzzy point of overlap that Portland, Oregon four-piece Tar Pit inhabit and do so quite knowingly and unashamedly.” Stuck in the pit.

Mist – Free Me of the Sun Review

By Steel Druhm on June 1, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, Reviews, Slovenian Metal, Soulseller Records, Doom Metal, 85 comments

“Mist is an upstart new act hailing from tiny Slovenia and featuring a lineup consisting of 4 women and one man. Together they tread the well-worn path of traditional doom metal while incorporating touches of 60s psychedelia and what has come to be known as occult doom. Free Me of the Sun is their debut outing and in preparation they’ve plumed the usual depths of Black Sabbath, Pentagram and Trouble to bring you the downcast goods.” Mist or missed?

Fátima – Moaner Review

By GardensTale on April 5, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, French Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Doom Metal, 58 comments

“As devoted readers, you may recall the Big Hoss himself released an expanded and updated article filled to the brim with advice for bands attempting to prostrate themselves before us. The first of the undoubtedly approaching tidal wave of bands that worship the article and obey it like scripture is Fátima, a French doom metal band that actually went and sent us lossless FLAC files, a move that will set an important precedent among hopefuls knocking down our door.” Give us your finest sound files!

Gygax – 2nd Edition Review

By Grymm on March 16, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Creator-Destructor Records, Hard Rock, Retro Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Retro Metal, 66 comments

“When we last saw California’s Gygax, the stalwart four-piece party encountered a cynical man-cat from the mountains of Blashyrkh, hoping to impress this grizzled wizard with Critical Hits, an album that sang the praises of Dungeons & Dragons with a sound that would make Phil Lynott proud.” They like big dice and they cannot lie.