Pentagram Poll

[Zephyrus]

Just curious, as I anticipate a toss-up between the first three.

For me it was Day of Reckoning at first, and that remains their most coherent album. But I'd have to say Be Forewarned is my favorite.

 

[SentinelSlain]

I think you've cowed this up. I see no poll.

 

[Zephyrus]

Because you're impatient.

 

[skeptik]

First Daze Here and First Daze Here Too are the real Pentagram for me. Granted that they're not full lengths, but I prefer that sound. As for the full-lengths, they go in chronological order for me more or less, perhaps with Show 'Em How above Sub-Basement.

 

[SentinelSlain]

I only have Relentless and my Turn to stone promo. I'd rate them equally, especially as they have some of the same songs.

 

[Vilden]

Day of Reckoning is the best. As you said, it is their most coherent album. It also has the two best songs they've ever done Burning Saviour and Broken Vows. Only Be Forewarned comes close in touching those (the First Daze Here version).

 

[The Ozzman]

A lone soul at night sits and bays at the moon
Though sometimes he's a man it's a Pentagram
Shogun blasts as he runs with the wind
But he just can't win it's the Pentagram

 

[Killbot]

I'm sure I used to have it, but I can't remember much, so the S/T wasn't really an option for me.
It was close between Be Forwarned and Sub-Basement. Day of Reckoning's production lets it down, it sounds way too thin.

Be Forwarned got the nod in the end, but I was so tempted not to just because of Vampyre Love. The song irritates the hell out of me.

 

[Zephyrus]

"The World Will Love Again" is my favorite Pentagram song.

 

[Jean-Pierre]

1. First Daze Here - True songwriting genius, innovative and engaging

2. Pentagram - Some of the best songs written by each member

3. Review Your Choices - Some of the most melancholic and fucking HEAVY performances of the best songs penned by Bobby, and the new original stuff from Joe is as strong as his ultra kvlt project, Devil Childe

4. Human Hurricane (Yes, I count it - the 70's compilations just depend on the quality of content)

5. Day Of Reckoning - A lesser self titled with a really weak version of a classic track, but it contains Victor Griffin's best songs.

6. Subbasement - Fucking filthy geezer jamout. Love it, the production is how Be Forewarned should've sounded. Some 70's stuff that just had to come out and play, and also a Death Row era track penned by Bobby. Yeah, he sounds like shit, but fuck you.

7. First Daze Here Too

8. Show Em How - Bobby plus Internal Void jamming 70's stuff and three 70's inspired tunes. On some tracks Bobby sounds great, on some he sounds completely awful; this time the latter hurts the material quite badly, considering the throwback atmosphere.

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9. Be Forewarned - Easily their worst album. Still better than most band's best work, but the SHITTY 4/4 version of "Be Forewarned," the annoyingly pristine Black Album production and the obvious prevalence of Black Sabbath worship rather than what makes the band so great (Bobby's sick and sinister inversion of Blue Cheer's heaviest moments) make it the worst.

 

[no country for old wainds]

first daze here obviously

 

[Rumpole]

It's impossible to say, I truly love everything they've done.

Out of the first three, I'll say Pentagram, but only because it was the first album I heard by them. It's so fucking filthy and sinister that it's almost obscene. Day Of Reckoning I love because it's so damn catchy, Madman would have to be of their best ever songs. I love Be Forewarned because it's so fucking heavy, just a totally rock solid record.

Of the subsequent studio albums, Sub-Basement is easily my favourite. Crushing sound, Bobby simply sounds nuts and Joe just pounds and shreds like there's no tomorrow. Truly HEAVY metal.

But like other people have said, First Daze Here is simply sublime, some of the most inspired music ever. No matter how shit I feel, all I have to do is listen to Living In A Ram's Head, Lazy Lady or Hurricane and instantly I have a smile on my face. On Last Days Here Bobby just sings his heart out and you can really feel the emotion, truly beautiful stuff.

 

[black blood]

Difficult to pick between the first two. I love the guitar solo in 20 Buck Spin.

 

[CF87]

Relentless(Ghoul is without a doubt their best song) and the album stands out lyrically/vocally and general songwriting wise over anything else they've recorded.

On endless nights my need to roam
I've come to desecrate your bones
As maggots crawl amongst your flesh
You're soon to meet the truth of death
My wants are few to reach my quest
You're bound to feel my cold request
Now my dear you soon shall see
The dying living truth of me
Cause I'm not living
You soon will be giving
So I can die on
From far away and from the near
My finest clients buried here
For once you've shared your death with me
A ghoul I shall forever be
But I must sleep before the dawn
And then my work will carry on
Once you've come to grips with me
A ghoul I know you'll always be
Cause I'm not living no
You'll soon be giving
So I can die on
Chosen one
Cause I'm not the living
you soon will be giving
So I can die on yeah!

...after would go with Sub-Basement, Goin' In Circles.

 

[black blood]

I'm going to see Pentagram live this saturday I hope they play most songs off the first two albums.

 

[Zephyrus]

Since I've made this thread I played their first three albums in succession a couple times, and I've decided that Day of Reckoning is again my favorite, with Relentless a close second.

The thing with Pentagram is that I listen to them in the car more than any other way.

 

[J.]

i voted day of reckoning. but first daze here is the best material

 

[Doomguy]

Day of Reckoning takes my vote. The only other one I've heard is Review Your Choices and that didn't take my fancy.

 

[Blind Guardian]

Voted for Relentless, but I don't see what's so bad about Be Forewarned, it's a real grower.