Released 32 years ago this October
Pentagram
Gorgoroth · 1994
29 min · 8 tracks · black metal
A raw, unrelenting barrage of tremolo riffs and guttural vocals that embody the essence of Norwegian black metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Begravelsesnatt — This opening track sets the tone with its relentless pace and chilling atmosphere, showcasing the band's signature blend of speed and darkness.
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(Under) The Pagan Megalith — The track stands out due to its complex structure and layered instrumentation, reflecting Gorgoroth's ability to fuse melody with aggression while invoking pagan themes.
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Ritual — Featuring an ominous tempo and evocative lyrics, this song encapsulates the ritualistic elements central to Gorgoroth's identity and philosophy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's raw sound and aggressive style are defining for its genre, though it may not reward extensive revisits.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced tremolo riff that is consistent throughout, creating a relentless energy.
- Vocals are predominantly guttural and layered, often overlapping with the instrumentation rather than standing out.
- Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that contrast sharply with the aggressive instrumentation, providing brief moments of respite.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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, intense listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- dark, atmospheric immersion
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 12, 1994, Pentagram was Gorgoroth's second full-length album, following their debut, Pentagram (1993). At this point in their career, Gorgoroth was solidifying their place within the burgeoning black metal scene in Norway, marked by their increasingly aggressive sound and thematic focus on darkness and paganism.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mayhem· Darkthrone· Immortal
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Begravelsesnatt 2:33
- 2 Crushing the Scepter (Regaining a Lost Dominion) 3:23
- 3 Ritual 3:52
- 4 Drømmer om død 3:45
- 5 Katharinas bortgang 4:03
- 6 Huldrelokk 1:52
- 7 (Under) The Pagan Megalith 3:53
- 8 Måneskyggens slave 5:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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