First Daze Here
Pentagram · 2001
44 min · 12 tracks · heavy metal
A murky blend of heavy riffs and haunting melodies, embodying the raw essence of early doom metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Forever My Queen — This track epitomizes Pentagram's signature sound with its slow, heavy riff and melancholic themes, setting a standard for future doom metal bands.
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When the Screams Come — The song captures the essence of early doom with its ominous atmosphere and powerful vocal delivery, showcasing the band's lyrical depth.
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Starlady — With its ethereal qualities combined with heavy instrumentation, this track highlights Pentagram’s unique ability to blend beauty with darkness.
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Earth Flight — This track features intricate guitar work that exemplifies the band's heavy yet melodic approach, representing their innovative spirit within the genre.
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Last Days Here — As a longer piece that builds tension and atmosphere, it serves as an emotional centerpiece, reflecting the band's thematic exploration of mortality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases early doom metal's foundational sound, blending heavy riffs with haunting melodies.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of heavy, distorted guitar riffs paired with melodic vocal lines that create a haunting atmosphere.
- Tracks often shift dynamics, with some maintaining a slow, brooding pace while others introduce faster tempos and more aggressive instrumentation.
- Several songs incorporate extended instrumental sections that emphasize the band's improvisational style and heavy reliance on mood over traditional song structure.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of haunting melodies
- dark reflections on past choices
- heavy riffs with a raw
- brooding atmosphere for late nights
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek lighthearted, carefree vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2001, First Daze Here is a compilation of Pentagram's earliest recordings from the 1970s, marking a significant retrospective in their career. The album showcases the band's foundational sound, providing context for their future influence on the doom metal genre. This release came during a period when Pentagram was experiencing a resurgence of interest after years of being underappreciated.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Black Sabbath· Candlemass· Saint Vitus
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Last Days Here
The lyrics shift abruptly into first-person reflections on time slipping away, creating a haunting urgency that resonates deeply throughout the song.
This structural choice enhances the personal connection to mortality by changing perspective, deepening the emotional weight and intensity of the moment.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Forever My Queen 2:24
- 2 When the Screams Come 2:59
- 3 Walk in the Blue Light 5:35
- 4 Starlady 5:15
- 5 Lazylady 3:48
- 6 Review Your Choices 2:57
- 7 Hurricane 2:05
- 8 Livin’ in a Ram’s Head 2:16
- 9 Earth Flight 2:51
- 10 20 Buck Spin 4:57
- 11 Be Forewarned 3:27
- 12 Last Days Here 6:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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