Forming in the early 70’s, Arlington, Virginia, USA based band Pentagram is perhaps most famous as one of the pioneers of the doom metal genre despite having only released six albums in the past thirty nine years the band has been together. Throughout the bands history the only constant has been vocalist Bobby Liebling with a nearly nonstop revolving line-up that has featured members from such bands as Place of Skulls, Raven, The Obsessed, Internal Void, Spirit Caravan and many others.
After being somewhat active (they broke up and reformed numerous times and used different alias too) for nearly fifteen years the band self released their debut, ‘Relentless’ (originally self-titled) in 1985, although I own the 2005 re-issue made available by Peaceville Records.
Drawing a clear influence from the early Black Sabbath sound Pentagram (along with Saint Vitus, Trouble and Witchfinder General) were among the first true doom metal bands. Through eleven songs Bobby spins tales of death, religion, revenge and love while guitarist Victor Griffin pounds out some of heaviest (and at times) slowest riffs imaginable. Martin Swaney’s vibrant and thick bass guitar only adds to the heaviness whist drummer Joe Hasselvander grooves along with the rest of the band adding is own unique fills to this record. Relentless has a total underground production job that just barely sounds above demo quality, but somehow this garage like sound gels well with the heaviness of this type of music for a transcendent and wickedly delicious experience.
Generally the music ranges from classic 80’s ultra slow doom metal to more rockin’ doomy numbers reminiscent of those early Black Sabbath records we all know and love. Frankly I find this album to be hard to describe as it’s just that good (basically I’m left speechless), but essentially if you have any experience with classic traditional doom metal then you can truly anticipate one of the finest entries in the doom metal genre with Relentless.
It’s hard to even choose a favorite as all of the songs are stunning and its one of those records you can easily put on and appreciate from start to finish. Play it loud and let the heaviness crush you and if any strength should remain in you after listening, then hit the replay button again and allow the evil and anguish to wash all over you yet again.
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