Review by Rosh on September 24, 2023.

Pentagram should need no introduction to long-time metal listeners, being one of the most classic bands in doom and heavy metal. They've spawned quite a legacy with their many studio albums and remarkable rehearsal tapes from the 70's. That said, there is no better band than one such as Church of Void, who occupy the same space of rocking trad doom, to deliver a stunning tribute to Pentagram.

This is, in all respects an excellent and fresh cover of the thumping standard "Forever My Queen", executed exquisitely both in studio and live, both of which have a very organic feel to them. The basic riffs are not altered, and the overall tone is closer to the basement feel of the 70's version featured on First Daze Here than it is to the grime of the one on Review Your Choices, which is nice to see for the sake of maximum authenticity, even if I do prefer the RYC version.

Despite this authenticity, though, I mentioned that Church of Void's rendition of this classic feels fresh, and that is primarily due to three factors. Firstly, Magus Corvus' vocals sound nothing like Bobby Liebling's yet still they suit the song. His pronounced Finnish accent is buried under a heavy echo in the studio version, but considering how up front the vocals were in the original 70's version of "Forever My Queen", this is a nice change of pace.

Second, the winding riff ("the situation is all wrapped up") after the first verse has always been a standout moment to me in Pentagram's music, reminding me that it is still a doom metal song despite its faster tempo (though plenty of traditional doom songs are played at this speed anyway). It's minor, but Church of Void's take on this riff sounds fantastic, as it captures that same mystical feel the original had. Beyond doubt, this cements my claim that a fellow trad doom band should be the one to cover this track, rather than the many other bands who have attempted it.

Finally, the drumming has a different feel in Church of Void's cover. It's actually more energetic compared the relatively simplistic beat that introduces the original cut (on both First Daze Here and on Review Your Choices), and while I did not think this was possible, it actually leads into the mammoth of a power chord riff just as well as the originals. Well done, guys.

Church of Void is a great band who sadly broke up in 2018. Nonetheless, they have left us with two excellent full length albums which are modern classics of the rocking doom/heavy metal style, which is my favorite style of doom. The user Doominance on Metal Archives (who has written many insightful reviews for my favorite bands) stated in his review of Church of Void's first album that their music is like being in a winter forest and getting impaled with a cold steel blade, but then being found and sheltered in a warm cabin and nursed back to health with whiskey by the fireplace. Brilliant analogy, one that I would extend to their entire discography, not just Dead Rising. Overall, I'm impressed with this band that I can say this much about a couple versions of an under 3 minute cover song, and that's because it's a fantastic cover, the best anyone has ever done of this famous Pentagram song.

Rating: 9 out of 10