It’s been eight long years since we last heard new music from Los Angeles’ RISE. However, the wait was not all in vain as their new album, Pentagramnation, is easily the band’s strongest and most sophisticated work.

Stylistically, Pentagramnation’s dark tone is created by a contemporary blackened death metal sound that equally uses blast beats and various driving mid-tempos. Fans of DIMMU BORGIR, OLD MAN’S CHILD, and BEHEMOTH may find much to enjoy on this album. Melody is a significant part of their attack whether it be in the riffs, guitar solos, or keyboards. And speaking of the guitar solos, vocalist/guitarist Istvan Lendvay’s melodic, emotional solos are a pleasure to listen to. Perhaps his best solo can be found during the ending to “Conqueror’s of the Ninth Century.” Acoustic guitars are used sparingly yet effectively enough to add further color to the album. The album ends just as dramatically as it began with “Opus Requiem” in which the band enlists the help of ARCH ENEMY vocalist Angela Gossow and the lead guitar talents of Dave Suzuki (ex-VITAL REMAINS).

Pentagramnation is not an album of singles but best enjoyed as a one work. While the band’s peers may be on well-known record labels with plenty of media pull, RISE is good enough to compete with the big boys. Let this review be a notice to all. (Hymnus Records)