Show 'Em How cover

Show 'Em How

Pentagram · 2004

45 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal

A gritty amalgamation of heavy riffs and haunting melodies, reflecting the band's enduring doom metal legacy.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Wheel of Fortune — The opening track encapsulates the album's essence with its driving rhythm and evocative lyrics, setting a darkly atmospheric tone that resonates throughout.
  • →
    Prayer for an Exit Before the Dead End — This track showcases Pentagram's signature blend of melancholy and heaviness, featuring powerful instrumentation and introspective themes that reflect their lyrical depth.
  • →
    Last Days Here — A poignant exploration of mortality, this song highlights Bobby Liebling's unique vocal delivery, making it one of the standout performances on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and a return to form for the band, with notable shifts in tempo and mood.

What we noticed

  • The first four tracks feature heavy, distorted guitar riffs paired with melodic vocals, establishing a classic doom metal sound.
  • Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, shifting from slow, brooding sections to faster, aggressive passages.
  • The album closes with a nearly eight-minute track that gradually builds in intensity before fading out, creating a sense of resolution.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

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

  • gritty riffs with haunting melodies
  • reflective moments of deep introspection
  • short bursts of intense energy
  • cathartic release of pent-up emotions

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
  • want lighthearted and cheerful sounds

Where this album fits

Career context
By 2004, Pentagram was re-establishing itself after a decade of dormancy, with Show 'Em How serving as their first release since the mid-1990s. This album marked a significant return to form for the band, showcasing their classic sound while also embracing elements of modernity in production.
Stylistic neighbors
Black Sabbath· Candlemass· Saint Vitus

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Wheel of Fortune 3:47
  • 2 Elektra Glide 3:30
  • 3 Starlady 5:23
  • 4 Catwalk 3:48
  • 5 Prayer for an Exit Before the Dead End 5:50
  • 6 Goddess 3:07
  • 7 City Romance 4:36
  • 8 If the Winds Would Change 4:42
  • 9 Show 'em How 5:06
  • 10 Last Days Here 5:10

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata