Pentral are an alternative rock / metal band from Belém in the north of Brazil comprising of brothers Victor Lima (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars) and Vagner Lima (drums) and Joe Ferry (bass). Their name comes from the Latin for Spirit and are a group who are passionate about environmental protection, equality, and the fight against racism. Their debut album `What Lies Ahead Of Us` is a concept album exploring the fractious relationships between people from different backgrounds and cultures and ultimately Mankind’s war against nature itself.
The album opens with `Silent Trees` which begins with a Hindu mantra invocating peace shared amid sounds of a rain forest. The band kick in and with Victor`s vocals and the musical approach, i`m reminded of Geoff Tate and his former band Queensrÿche. The song is a commentary on the inevitable consequences of pollution and deforestation. We have a more speed metal offering with `All My Wounds` which is based around the pursuit of spiritual healing and dealing with the highs and lows of life and noxious people. It relates to how difficult grief and loss are to cope with and how gratifying it is to come through it. We enjoy some intricate play between all three band members on this composition.
`Disconnected` seems to reflect the destruction of resources and the detachment that the purveyors of this devastation seem to show to the inhabitants and their homelands. There`s a grinding driving texture in the musical accompaniment which seems to reflect the anger within the story shared. We have a number driven initially by an acoustic guitar with `Letters From Nowhere` which builds and becomes angrier as it proceeds giving an impression of frustration or exasperation. Lyrically the narrator seems to be reflecting back at a crossroad of paths to follow at a critical point in their life. The last couple of minutes is a sort of jam or elaborate interplay between the musicians.
`Aiming For The Sun` is a belligerent number that gives the feeling of running from a bad situation to a safer place. The relentless pace is delivered with a barrage of grinding guitar riffs, thumping bass lines and pounding drumbeats with anxious sounding vocals all combined. We have a stripped back number with `A Gift From God` which is thoughtful, measured, introspective and spiritual with just picked acoustic guitar and vocals. The drums and bass join in towards the end to add to the depth of the message.
`No Real Colour In Souls` begins with almost a tribal drumbeat and is a rallying cry against racism in all its forms. It ebbs and flows musically with assertive and less assertive passages throughout and vocals that are presented in a variety of styles to ensure the heart of the message is shared. The band have said that `The Shell I’m Living In` reflects the emptiness of the hopeless new environment the stories protagonists are faced with. Anxious sounding guitar chords lead us in, and we have harder jammed movements and delicate scorching riffs in this quite musically varied submission.
`Are You Satisfied` is one to just sit back, listen to and enjoy as it`s such a diverse piece which seems to depict a scenario of nigh on desperation and despondency. The album closes with `The Law` which seems to wrap things up with a lesson that working together is the only way to move forward. It`s probably the most musically diverse track on the album with contrasting styles blending together.
`What Lies Ahead Of Us` is a fairly overwhelming statement at any time but combine that with the politics of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest it`s immense. But to a degree Pentral pull it off. Concept albums are a little marmite as you either love or loathe them but as the rainforest is on the band`s doorstep you can understand why they have chosen this difficult subject to address in such a way. So, I have a lot of admiration and respect for that. They are predominantly a groove metal progressive rock band but have shown they have the capability to offer melodic and acoustic numbers when called upon. As to what lies ahead of us, who knows but I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out to see.
Rating 9/10
