Trail Blazer

Though this group isn't the same Pentagram that has won over the hearts of global doom metal enthusiasts, the Turkish Pentagram is well worthy of consideration. Its sophomore album surfaced in 1992 and found the heavy metal quintet incorporating elements of Anatolian rock (a cool blend of Turkish folk and American rock) into its songs. Following the sound of a warhead dashing across the sky, virtuosic acoustic guitar picking introduces the first song, “Secret Missile,” before heavy electric guitar riffs battle with Iron Maiden–inspired fretboard shredding. Bartu Toptas’ sinister sneer is backed by gang vocals sung in Turkish (unlike on the band's debut album, Anatolia, which had English lyrics). The riffs chug harder in “Living on Lies” before dueling guitar harmonies give the tune a classic metal sound. Toptas displays more versatile singing here, going from his higher register one second to a deeper guttural growl the next. The title track changes moods; melodic fingerpicking morphs into searing twin leads and triumphant melodies.