Review by Felix on July 9, 2019.

Equipped with two new band members, Enthroned started their eighth attack in 2007. Forget the useless introduction, Pentagrammaton begins to break out with the initial tones of the second number, the first regular track. Unlike Ancient Rites, their best-known native competitors from the beginning of Belgian black metal, Enthroned have never added symphonic, bombastic and pompous elements to their music. Although line-up changes have always given the band a new face, the sinister horde never stopped to play, breathe and live pure black metal. Pentagrammaton is no exception. The 42 minutes of ferocious rumbling stand in the tradition of the formation's former material and do not expand the listener's musical horizon.

But don't get me wrong. This does not mean that Enthroned have served a stale cocktail. They are still able to manage eery sounds (the beginning of "Ornament of Grace") and it is a matter of course that they are nearly always highly interested in rapid rhythms. Consequently, high velocity is an important feature on this album. Sometimes this fact leads to a little loss of dynamic, but this is probably rather the guilt of the production. Pentagrammaton sounds rather pulpy than very differentiated. At the same time, the mix can be described as more or less dull and flat. These are definitely no good circumstances in order to convince with new music. Well, Enthroned are experienced enough to score with profound compositions, regardless of the deficiencies of the technical execution. Nevertheless, the flawed production is at the expense of the album's aura. It does not develop an own character.

Given this situation, it is a pity that the guitar work does not deliver outstanding details in abundance. It appears as a crusty layer of blackness, solidly performed, but not blessed with an overdose of individuality. The songs rather form a swarm of killer insects. They are all dangerous, but you do not know which one is the insect that is biting you. However, at the end of the album, Enthroned break out of their opaque scheme. "Unconscious Minds", a monster with a duration of almost nine minutes, is the highlight of the here reviewed work. Clearly defined riffing, mid-paced rhythms that create a triumphant feeling, a calm intermezzo, powerful drumming and screaming lead vocals shape a monumental, pretty majestic piece. The directly following closer delivers the antidote: two minutes of hatred, an outburst of velocity and stomping heaviness. Anyway, the album does not belong to the jewels of the combo's catalogue. It is too good to be ignored, but it cannot hold a candle to their debut or Carnage in Worlds Beyond.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Wiley on March 10, 2010.

Progessively arched talent blending a select brew of the greats of their genre into one heaving musical beast. What lurks in this pot is nothing short of Vanilla Coke in a can - that being a flavor we all knew and enjoyed when originally presented, but someone decided to repackage it, resell the novelty to us in a slightly more comercial way (assuming most of you remember this presentation and remember good old syrup flavor mixed with an already thick syrup from the tap... but that's besides the point).Nevermore stranded on a stranded vessel with Meshuggah and Orphaned Land with the cats from Atheist moderating the whole mess. And a truly wonderful mess it is....

Dynahead rip through hard edged rhythms with multiple time signatures, enough seperation of percussive chugging, weighty melodic riffs, and acoustic interludes to provide a refreshingly tasteful batch of songs. The lead melodies are wonderfully woven into the fabric of each piece. The drums are very tight and acoustically charged - not suffering the "too much trigger" restraint of most prog production. Every nuance and groove accent can be deciphered and felt smoothly. The bassist makes a beautiful low end appearance as well locking in the sweet space between drums and guitars with tasteful movements and complimenting riffwork. Then...there's the vocals... Warrel Dane derivative would be a kind way of describing it as 80% of the time it's as if he were hired to session for them, the other 20% is meandering somewhere between Orphaned Land's vocal harmonies, and Meshuggah-esque growling. Mind you, if you were going to rip vocal styles from any three bands for a Progressive Metal project - these aren't bad choices. Once past this glaring detail, this CD is a beautiful creation.

It could be argued allowing your vocallist to record your CD for you is a questionable endeavor.Antigen is maybe a rarity where this worked out, but one could also argue James Murphy's (Death,Cancer,Testament, Disincarnate, etc) mastering job probably played into this greatly as well (just accept that everything the guy works on is quality shit). The totality of the mix is so clear and well
brought together; inviting is a good word. Warm, bright, full, punchy, and sustainingly consistent - an accomplishment of some serious detail oriented slaving.

The packaging on the promo isnt much to speak of - digital renderings of a tree amongst flowers holding upon it's branches worm ridden apples. Why this when the most wonderful version of this is the grand cathedral on the back overgrown with the same flowers and several of these same trees outside the gaping windows??? One can probably assume there is some heartfelt explanation behind the concept dealing with edgy intellectual ideas and progressive concepts better worth not trying to interpret. Still wondering about how that fits in with the bandmate wearing a shirt confessing that "any girl is pretty after five beers"???...

A wonderful Prog Metal album for fans there of, and newcomers alike. Approach with caution and awareness that the rendering might be lost in an almost Lego like construction of what has become expected from said "Progressive" Metal, respectively.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:8.0
Atmosphere:7.9
Production: 8.9
Originality: 6.0
Overall: 7.0

Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by Wiley on March 10, 2010.

Progessively arched talent blending a select brew of the greats of their genre into one heaving musical beast. What lurks in this pot is nothing short of Vanilla Coke in a can - that being a flavor we all knew and enjoyed when originally presented, but someone decided to repackage it, resell the novelty to us in a slightly more comercial way (assuming most of you remember this presentation and remember good old syrup flavor mixed with an already thick syrup from the tap... but that's besides the point).Nevermore stranded on a stranded vessel with Meshuggah and Orphaned Land with the cats from Atheist moderating the whole mess. And a truly wonderful mess it is....

Dynahead rip through hard edged rhythms with multiple time signatures, enough seperation of percussive chugging, weighty melodic riffs, and acoustic interludes to provide a refreshingly tasteful batch of songs. The lead melodies are wonderfully woven into the fabric of each piece. The drums are very tight and acoustically charged - not suffering the "too much trigger" restraint of most prog production. Every nuance and groove accent can be deciphered and felt smoothly. The bassist makes a beautiful low end appearance as well locking in the sweet space between drums and guitars with tasteful movements and complimenting riffwork. Then...there's the vocals... Warrel Dane derivative would be a kind way of describing it as 80% of the time it's as if he were hired to session for them, the other 20% is meandering somewhere between Orphaned Land's vocal harmonies, and Meshuggah-esque growling. Mind you, if you were going to rip vocal styles from any three bands for a Progressive Metal project - these aren't bad choices. Once past this glaring detail, this CD is a beautiful creation.

It could be argued allowing your vocallist to record your CD for you is a questionable endeavor.Antigen is maybe a rarity where this worked out, but one could also argue James Murphy's (Death,Cancer,Testament, Disincarnate, etc) mastering job probably played into this greatly as well (just accept that everything the guy works on is quality shit). The totality of the mix is so clear and well
brought together; inviting is a good word. Warm, bright, full, punchy, and sustainingly consistent - an accomplishment of some serious detail oriented slaving.

The packaging on the promo isnt much to speak of - digital renderings of a tree amongst flowers holding upon it's branches worm ridden apples. Why this when the most wonderful version of this is the grand cathedral on the back overgrown with the same flowers and several of these same trees outside the gaping windows??? One can probably assume there is some heartfelt explanation behind the concept dealing with edgy intellectual ideas and progressive concepts better worth not trying to interpret. Still wondering about how that fits in with the bandmate wearing a shirt confessing that "any girl is pretty after five beers"???...

A wonderful Prog Metal album for fans there of, and newcomers alike. Approach with caution and awareness that the rendering might be lost in an almost Lego like construction of what has become expected from said "Progressive" Metal, respectively.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:8.0
Atmosphere:7.9
Production: 8.9
Originality: 6.0
Overall: 7.0

Rating: 7.6 out of 10