Artist: Earth Album: Pentastar: In the Style of Demons

Year: 1996
Duration: 42:53

A Critical Review of Earth's Pentastar: In the Style of Demons

When it comes to experimental and drone music, there are few bands that have pushed the boundaries quite like Earth. Founded in 1989 by guitarist Dylan Carlson, Earth has been at the forefront of the experimental music scene for over 30 years. And one of their most notable albums, Pentastar: In the Style of Demons, continues to captivate listeners with its unique blend of ambient and heavy sounds. In this blog post, we'll take a critical look at the album, providing a brief history of the band and its genre, discussing the best songs of the album, analyzing its most innovative parts, and giving our honest opinion on the album.

To start, it's important to understand the genre that Earth fits into. The band is often categorized as drone or experimental, and for good reason. They blend minimalistic guitar riffs with heavy, repetitive rhythms that create a hypnotic atmosphere. Pentastar: In the Style of Demons, released in 1996, is a perfect example of this sound.

The standout tracks on the album are Tibetan Quaaludes and Pentastar, both of which showcase the band's unique sound. Tibetan Quaaludes is a slow, ethereal track that blends soft acoustic guitars with subtle electronic sounds. Pentastar is a heavier track with a sludgy, distorted riff that loops throughout the song. As usual, the instrumentation is minimalist, but the result is a sound that is both immersive and powerful.

One of the most innovative parts of Pentastar: In the Style of Demons is the use of guest musicians. For example, Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3 contributes to the album, providing some of the more electronic and experimental sounds. Additionally, drummer Greg Gilmore adds a powerful percussive element that helps drive the album forward.

But, as with any album, there are drawbacks. The biggest criticism of Pentastar: In the Style of Demons is its lack of variety. While the album is successful in creating a unique atmosphere, it can become repetitive and boring at times. This is especially noticeable in the longer tracks, such as Cetriolo and Bureaucratic Desire for Revenge.

In the end, Pentastar: In the Style of Demons is a standout album that showcases Earth's innovative sound. Despite some drawbacks, it's an album that any fan of drone or experimental music should listen to. By blending heavy riffs with ambient soundscapes, the album creates an immersive experience that is both hypnotic and powerful. Though it may not be for everyone, it's an album that has stood the test of time and remains an important piece of experimental music history.