Out of hell’s torturous music collection comes one of the most sought-after doom collector goodies: the original debut by PENANCE. Many of you spent countless hours (not to mention countless dollars) finding that elusive rookie PENANCE record, released in 1992 on Dorian’s Rise Above label. Tracking that puppy down is as difficult as grabbing stuffed animals in the claw machine at the arcade. Now, thanks to the gods at Psychedoomelic, we get the original version of the original recording. Confused? Let me explain. You see, “The Road Less Traveled” was self-recorded by PENANCE in 1992. Two months later, Rise Above asked them for a remix. All tracks were re-recorded and the originals shelved until now, hence the title, “The Road Revisited”. Very Robert Frost of them, don’t you think?

Comparatively speaking, this original recording has a much better, unprocessed flow than the remix. The guitar tone here is of the Gibson variety, down-tuned and evil. The sound the PA boys milk from six strings is the pure essence of doom metal. It’s Iommi at his most depressive and downtrodden (think “Into the Void”, then slow it down some). Drums here are handled by the honorable Mike Smail, who has done duty in heavyweights CATHEDRAL, INTERNAL VOID, and PENTAGRAM. “If They Would Cut My Throat Out” showcases the young Mr. Smail varying his beats at an intentional slower pace than the guitar for a truly spooky effect. Apart from drumming on the record, Smail gets the production credit. I can almost picture the strings on that Flying V bending and vibrating to get those creepy tones. Each song is its own little musical island. The songs are so heavy and thick, you have to put on some comedy afterwards just to purge the taste of melancholy from your mouth. Brian “Goodbread” Lawrence’s vocals are like the rants of the clinically insane, and give the music an indelible quality, one that would not be repeated after this release.

Considering this was recorded in January of 1992, it was an impetus in its day for future doom bands to copy and distort for years to come. Their contemporaries were TROUBLE, PENTAGRAM / DEATH ROW, and ST. VITUS, all going strong at the time, but even in such company, PENANCE’s music shines. This is one of the best reissues (even though it was never really issued in the first place!) that has come along in recent years. Praise be Psychedoomelic for this slice of heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective).

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/penancedoom

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