Started in 1985, before I was even born, Pentagram Chile has had an on-again off-again run over the past…shit that’s almost 30 years… Odd for a band to be releasing their first full-length album nearly 30 years after their formation, but hey, things happen. While they were formerly just known as Pentagram, then Pentagram (Chile), the band now sticks with Pentagram Chile, as to not confuse people with the US Doom legends Pentagram. The best part about this whole story? Pentagram Chile has had a whole career based entirely on (awesome) demos and songs from splits. They even did a reunion live album consisting of songs from said demos. So what does the band pack on album #1?
Death metal mixed with some grind, ripping ass solos courtesy of main man Anton Reisenegger (vocals as well) and his fellow axe-man Juan Pablo Uribe. Drummer Juan Pablo Donoso (band meetings must get confusing) is solid as a rock behind the drums, and the slew of bassist all shine through in a solid mix. From the rough and tumble opening of ‘The Death of Satan’ and to the Slayer-worshipping ‘The Apparition’, Pentagram Chile has it locked down on The Malefice.
‘Grand Design’ is a homage to the 80s era thrash we all know and love. ‘Arachnoids’ being a bit of that as well as mixing in some mid-pace death metal chug for good measure. And the solos on ‘Arachnoids'!?! Yes please and thank you. Some of what you hear throughout The Malefice may seem familiar, and that’s entirely fine. There’s ripping off your influences and then there’s taking your influences and experience and putting it through your own channels. And that’s what Pentagram Chile has taken the later path. This is a great death metal album, no ands, ifs or buts about it. Fuck’s sake let’s just hope we don’t have to wait 30 more years for another album!
The Malefice will be available on September 9th through Cyclone Empire. Go out and grab this amazing DEBUT full-length. If only other bands sounded this good on their first album…
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HAIL!!!
