#catheral

Pentagram: Be Forewarned (1994)

Today we know that pretty much every Pentagram LP contains a mixture of new material and ancient tracks unearthed from the band’s underground, unrecorded purgatory during the 1970s, but when Be Forewarned arrived in 1994, most of us had no idea about this secret backstory.

But, with this third official Pentagram long-player (and simultaneous reissues of its two predecessors and the 1972-1979 demo collection), Peaceville Records started the archaeological sleuthing that Relapse and the Internet would later complete, bestowing legendary status upon both the band its controversial leader, Bobby Liebling.

Yet, back in 1994, Pentagram was as much guitarist Victor Griffin’s band as it was Liebling’s, and Be Forewarned’s songwriting credits were spread almost evenly between them, with drummer Joey Hasselvander also pitching in, and one Marty Swaney “jes’ slappin’ da bass, man.”

Griffin and Hasselvander actually kick things off, via the quite un-doom-like frenzy of “Live Free and Burn,” before a more familiar, deliberate tempo is established by Griffin’s “Too Late,” boasting colossal riffs and keening harmonies right out of the Iommi heavy metal almanac.

At the same time, Griffin successfully drags Pentagram into the ‘90s with modernized material like the haunted “Vampyre Love” and the dynamic “Wolf’s Blood,” while the resourceful Hasselvander (*) lends a hand with the morbid, very Trouble-esque “Bride of Evil,” on which Liebling hilariously seems to be singing “Ryan O’Neil!”

Speaking of that old bat, Bobby is hardly absent, just biding his time in the belfry, before swooping down with a flock of resurrected oldies (“Frustration,” “Nightmare Gown,” etc.), including the awesome title track: a seven-minute, melancholy goth-fest that arguably receives its definitive rendition here. (**)

Unfortunately, anti-metal sentiments were so prevalent when this album was released (t’was the peak of the grunge era), that Pentagram’s comeback would go virtually unnoticed outside the deepest heavy metal catacombs, condemning the band back into relative obscurity, as this line-up quickly split up.

Not until the end of the decade would the aforementioned rediscovery campaign gain momentum, via a combination of comprehensive reissues like Relapse’s First Daze Here collections and new Pentagram LPs of “mixed” origin like ‘99’s Review Your Choices and ‘01’s Sub-Basement, etc.

Approach them if you dare, but Be Forewarned ... DOOM awaits!

*  Who was splitting his time between Pentagram and New Wave of British Heavy Metal stalwarts Raven.

** Listen to the psych-infused 1972 original here, first released as a single when Pentagram was briefly known as Macabre.

If this becomes our Library Of Alexandria, I have no issue rioting against the world. 

It’s such a symbol to so many people, and it’s stood proud for over 700 years.  It’s a symbol of hope. 

The Twilight Of Veneration (Seville Cathedral’s Main Altar Retablo Mayor)

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist Savannah Georgia One of the most beautiful Nativity displays is in Savannah at the Cathedral. And the poinsettia tree makes this Church a special place for visitors at the Christmas season. Christmas Nativity scene Above the manger Cathedral of St John the Baptist-Savannah Georgia Cathedral of St John the Baptist Have a happy day…