PENTAPHONE was founded in 2002 in Berlin. It has taken eight years for the band to finally release their debut album. Eight years during which the band could find themselves and refine their music and songwriting. During this time, the band has also been able to improve their live qualities. While the performances in 2006 were still characterized by gigs in Berlin youth clubs, from 2007 onwards they occasionally took to stages in the eastern part of the country.
Overall, PENTAPHONE is not only a product of Berlin but has also not ventured out of Berlin very often. This is set to change with their debut album in tow.
PENTAPHONE defines their style within the triangle of Grunge, Alternative, and Rock. This is definitely true for the most part. Even on the first listen of the album, it becomes apparent how elaborate the songs are arranged and how tempo changes, both in the music and the vocals, are anything but ordinary. In their eight years of existence, the band has learned to arrange songs that sound like rock and are never mundane. Nevertheless, the songs can certainly be considered radio-friendly.
PENTAPHONE's sound leans more towards the darker side. While there are occasional smaller screaming attacks that venture into the realm of Emo, they never stray from the safe harbor of their own style.
Personally, I find the sound a bit too melancholic and sad over time. This may also be because such music fits better with the darker season than with sunshine in June.
Nonetheless, a remarkable debut work.
