Review by Alex on November 4, 2019.

Teitanblood is like that one family member, that no matter how bad you have behaved, always gives you what you want when you want. Apart from being spoiled by the usual treats, that special person always tops it off with a few surprises by going out of their way, to serve-up a bonus, all delivered with a smile. The sacrilegious Spaniards in this legendary band known to bestial metal lovers as Teitanblood don't just play black/death metal, they fuck with you in the process. This time their gift to the hordes is The Baneful Choir. A pillaging of the body on accursed ground, by modules of existence hideous in every sense; the raking scrape of noises and tantrums by string, snare and tongue, fatigue the unknowing into a craze unrecoverable.

What poured from Seven Chalices has long since been at the core of their behavioral patterns, though Teitanblood's visions remain twisted, their form of representation has always steered the listener through a technical maze of distortion and brutality. Sonically scary, instrumentally ingenious, the late comer of 2019 has taken the number 1 spot for bestial black/death metal album of the year. The Baneful Choir is yet another creature of its own habitat, though still true to the occult war metal order established, their ill-tempered swing hits with a beefy thump through this now meaty production. The cymbal work here is still very tight, the drum-kit is molested senselessly, does it overthrow Seven Chalices?, no; I mean, come-on what kind of question is that, Seven Chalices was snare and cymbal rape through the epoch.

The riffs and solos INHUMAN; holy fuck, what you're getting here is music worthy of a human rights violation tag due to how barbarity and complexity are intertwined to build the framework of The Baneful Choir. Just listen to the insanity taking place on ’Leprous Fire', 'Ungodly Others', 'Inhuman Utterings' and 'Sunken Stars'- (a six minute session with your brains in a microwave). Like getting cornered by starved lions, you will most likely be subjected to the paws of unbeing; criminally reckless, barbarically beautiful and staggeringly brilliant where instrumental proficiency is concerned, The Baneful Choir is material out a genie's lamp. Teitanblood are very much standing alongside the masters of the bestial arena at this point and I don't think they're done. Yet another killer record from Teitanblood still fortifying their already unshakable catalog.

The diaphragm of black/death metal must be as cold steel is with so much top-class material coming from new formations and trusted sects. Whatever else Teitanblood set out to accomplish, we as supporters need not worry, these guys are notorious for giving their best every time. The Baneful Choir is the backbone of bestial war black/death metal further bent and twisted into unrecognizable shapes and figures that still appeal to throng.

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Review by Allan on December 3, 2002.

The oldest of the bands under Peaceville Records “Classic Collections”, Pentagram is the band that most deserves to have their thirty-year plus history summed up into one album. “Turn To Stone” combine’s songs that can be found throughout Pentagram’s career on Peaceville Records, with material dating as far back as their debut album “Pentagram” in 1985 until their last Peaceville Records effort, “Be Forewarned” (Pentagram released singles and such in the early ‘70’s, and thus their tri-decade existence). Straightforward, to the point, and simply a combination of various songs on the aforementioned albums, “Turn To Stone” is a good introduction for those that are new to Pentagram.

It looks as if Pentagram is Black Sabbath’s younger brother. Vocalist Bobby Leibling performs with his obviously Ozzy influenced vocals, and guitarist Victor Griffin shares quite a bit in common with the early Sabbath days. Still, it’s safe to say that you shouldn’t completely attribute Pentagram as being a Black Sabbath tribute band in disguise.

Each and every member of Pentagram has a fair amount of talent. The rhythm section is very strong and high in the mix, the lead and rhythm guitar absolutely slay together between their doom theatrics, and the vocals absolutely fit the sound of Pentagram. The songwriting from most of the material found on “Turn To Stone” is very well written and highly enjoyable. While Pentagram isn’t wholly original, it’s hard to turn down a band that can churn out song after song that rocks the way it should.

If you own the three albums Pentagram released ’85 and ’94, there really isn’t any reason for you to pick this up. Otherwise, if you’re going for a best of collection, “First Daze Here” is overall, probably a better pick because it’s more to the point and covers the material better. Nonetheless, “Turn To Stone” is a good barebones representation of the heavier days of Pentagram and it wouldn’t hurt to pick it up.

Bottom Line: Well done, Black Sabbath influenced metal. Nothing more, nothing less, but Pentagram do what they do well enough to garner credit.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 6
Overall: 7

Rating: 7 out of 10