Pentacost
Lost Within A Dream
7
Playing a hybrid of doom and traditional metal previously thought buried in the sands of time, Arizona's Pentacost attempt to offer something fresh and rewarding to listeners by looking back instead of forward. While the thought of another retro act may seem too much to stomach for most metal fans, I assure you that the three songs found on the Lost Within a Dream EP are much more a clinic in solid songwriting than nostalgia.
Described by the group's founder William Kressin as an "endeavor to get back to the roots of metal," Pentacost channel the spirits of the bands that pioneered the genre in the early 70's by creating an atmosphere that is utterly too pervasive for the radio but not entirely divorced from rock's engaging craftsmanship. With an emphasis on primal riff work and a tangible knack for hook writing, Pentacost merit the Doom label only in that their brand of heavy metal is far too dark and lumbering to be called anything else. The simple riffing is made tolerable by the two members' ability to function as a cohesive unit. Combined with Kressin's Osbourne meets John Bush vocal styling, the band's emphasis on execution exposes Pentacost as nothing more than a couple of guys who only want to play metal like they used to, just heavier. And, that's not a bad thing.
Recorded at guitarist Bobby Chavez's Immortal Recording and mastered by none other than James Murphy (Everything), the songs are afforded a cozy roominess and sturdy low-end uncommon to releases of this nature. At the very least, the self financed production should be applauded for not getting in the way of the songs.
Pentacost have made this album available on their web-site, and it's an opportunity I encourage you to take. While rudimentary and completely bereft of any sort of boundary stretching contribution to the metal scene, Lost Within a Dream at least offers some well written, well played, well produced heavy metal. And, that's harder to come by than you think.
