Penance
The Road Revisited (Re-issue) (CD) 2005 (1992) psycheDOOMelic
PsycheDOOMelic records continues in its role as doom archivist with the release of a rare treasure indeed, the first recorded version of Penance's 'The Road Less Travelled', retitled 'The Road Revisited'. I've heard enough wails of anguish over the years by frustrated doomsters attempting to track down the elusive 1992 version on Lee Dorrian's Rise Above label. If nothing else, collectors should rejoice. But this is more than a simple reissue. This release gives you a look at the raw first attempt by one of America's most crucial doom bands to establish its own identity. This would prove to be an ongoing process, ending only in the spring of 2005. Doom cognoscenti know that Penance started life in the mid-1980s as Dream Death, a self-described sludge metal band from Pittsburgh. Incidentally, this description is the earliest I've yet seen using the term "sludge". Anyway, Dream Death put out one record in their lifetime, the essential 'Journey into Mystery', which combined doom/death tuneage with angry, hardcore vox. They were years ahead of their time. They also produced a demo in 1988 entitled 'Ode to Sorrow' before breaking up, later to form Penance. Although their playing was better than ever, the soul was somehow lacking. Neverthless, two of the songs on this demo, 'The Unseen' and 'A Wayfarer's Tale', form a bridge between Dream Death and the embryonic Penance, as they also appear on 'The Road Less Travelled'. This demonstrates that the appearance of Penance was not an abrupt event in the history of these musicians, but rather a logical evolution in their tastes and abilities. The difference between Dream Death and Penance seems to be simply that the hardcore-ish vocals were turned down a bit and the Sabbathy doom was turned up. Otherwise they were in many ways similar. In histories of the band one sometimes sees a reference to the notion that 3 out of 4 members of Penance were also in Dream Death. In fact, the personnel on Dream Death's 'Ode to Sorrow' demo and Penance's 'Road Less Travelled' are identical. The confusion may be that vocalist Brian Lawrence is sometimes referred to as Brian Goodbread, when in fact they were (and are, heh heh) the same person. At that time Brian referred to himself as Brian Lawrence, using his middle name as his full stage name. Which brings us to 'The Road Revisited'. If you're lucky enough to own the Rise Above release, you'll note that the songs are the same. The difference is that 'The Road Revisited' was recorded two months earlier, in January, 1992. For reasons best known to themselves, Rise Above asked for a remix, and the band dutifully re-recorded the entire album in March. Is the earlier version worth hearing? Damn straight. It may be more raw, but to these ears it also sounds more natural and generally better: the mix is hotter, the timbre more natural, the instruments more clear. You can just about measure the dimensions of the recording studio with the slapback echo from the double-tracked vocals. Your sound system may tell a different tale, but 'The Road Revisited' has the edge over 'The Road Less Travelled' on my stereo. The band may have broken up, but that's no excuse not to add this to your collection. It's an opportunity to acquire a real doom rarity, and a rare opportunity to hear an entirely different mix of an excellent album. Penance is dead; long live Penance!	1. Eulogy 2. The Unseen 3. A Wayfarer's Tale 4. If They Would Cut my Throat Out... 5. Misgivings 6. Soul Rot 7. Not What it Seems 8. Penance Approx. 57 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh
Proving Ground (CD) 1999 No Label
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) is hardly a walk down the block from the suburban Washington D.C./Maryland area, but you wouldn't know it as far as hometown doomsters Penance are concerned. Because with 'Proving Ground', Penance easily stands shoulder to shoulder with classic doom giants like Spirit Caravan and Earthride. Combining bottom-heavy riffage with rock and metal elements, Penance has forged a unique brand of classic doom of incredible power. The history of Penance goes back to the 1980s and the band Dream Death, which rose out of the local thrash scene. Guitarist Terry Weston and drummer Mike Smail then formed the more Sabbathy Penance, and are members to this day. 'Proving Ground' is the 3rd Penance album, and with the addition of vocalist "Butch" Balich they really hit their stride. Songwriting and lyric duties are spread among Weston, Smail, and Balich, and all three combine efforts to produce a seamless album. Penance doesn't seem to be about big egos, it is rather creating a successful whole. The lyrics are strong, passionate, and almost psychotherapeutic in their confessional honesty. The subjects include depression and alienation, but - gasp! - there are moments when the sun comes out too, and it feels pretty damned good! So if you think doom is all about strong feelings, then go no further: you've arrived. But it's the songwriting that really shines here. 'Cloudless' contains a descending guitar riff of almost unbelievable power; it would be the centerpiece of any album by most doomsters, but here its just one brilliant tune among many. 'Proving Ground,' 'Pain,' 'Circle #9,' hell, there are memorable tunes all over this album. 'Bleed You' is the only song that seems a bit out of place, sounding kind of punk to these ears. This is one of the most consistently good albums I've heard in the world of riffing doom, and for that reason I believe it stands out as a genre classic. Their new album, 'Alpha & Omega', has two new recruits, Mary Bielich and Matt Tuite. If it can stand up to 'Proving Ground' then Penance may at long last get the recognition they deserve.	1. Proving Ground 2. Cloudless 3. Transcending 4. Dead Already 5. Bitter 6. Pain 7. Never Lost 8. Cast in Grey 9. Bleed You 10. Circle #9 11. Slipping Approx. 44 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh
Alpha & Omega (CD) 2001 Martyr Music
Readers of my previous review of Penance' 1999 effort, 'Proving Ground' will remember my great enthusiasm for that colossus of riffing doom. Frankly, I wondered if Penance could ever equal what I considered at the time to be their best album, or if it was all downhill from there. Wisely, and perhaps realizing that there was no point in trying to match the matchless, Penance have decided to forge on from heights of 'Proving Ground'. 'Alpha & Omega' shows them in transition from the classic doom sound of past years into something a bit lighter and more groove-oriented. In fact, 'Alpha & Omega' is really two discs in one; the first five songs represent where they're going and the last four (the 'Turn for the Worse' EP) sum up where they've been. Bolstered by newcomers Mary Bielich (ex-Novembers Doom) on bass and Matt Tuite (ex-Wickerman) on guitar, Penance show that they are capable of growth without forgetting their old-school roots. The first tune, 'Wizards of Mind,' kicks it hard in a stonier fashion than we're used to from them. But don't worry, Penance are not about muscle cars and bongs, as worthwhile as those pursuits may be, its just that they refuse to be stuck in a rut, even a "good' one. 'New Machine' features a bottom-heavy stoney groove with whispered background vocals, and 'See the Light' shows that The Doom has not been left behind, but can be effectively used to showcase the cleanest vocals yet from frontman Brian "Butch" Balich. The last four tunes, including the chugging, doomy 'Love Dies' and the angry 'Cold' show the 'Proving Ground' era band at its best-heavy, doomed, and old school to the teeth. The songwriting on 'Alpha & Omega' continues the collaborative spirit of previous albums with contributions by founding members Mike Smail and Terry Weston, as well as Balich and newcomer Tuite. The sound is clear, wide-open, spectacular. The lyrics, as on 'Proving Ground,' are personal, honest, and confessional, dealing with hate, love, death and loss with a rawness that most doom bands can only aspire to. Penance shows that there is not only life, but also innovation in the old school. Recommended.	1. Wiards of Mind 2. New Machine 3. See the Light 4. Reaching 5. Eden Fallen 6. Love Dies 7. Cold 8. Drown Me. 9. Misery Song Approx. 54 minutes Extra Information: The last 4 songs on the album were originally released as a fans-only CDR EP entitled 'Turn for the Worse'.
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh
Spiritualnatural (CD) 2003 Martyr Music
'Spiritualnatural' is the sound of a doom band maturing, diversifying, and best of all firing on all pistons. It’s part of the ongoing Penance saga, a story begun with the band Dream Death in the late 1980s and continuing through seemingly constant lineup changes to the present, but always with an eye for musical quality. Penance has always been about ignoring the mainstream and playing just what they want and nothing else. Of course, this exacts a high price monetarily and in emotional wear and tear. And hey, we're not talking about private jets in the first place, but rather just enough money to keep playing. But that's what the doom underground has always been about. If you want to be a rich star, play something else. 'Spiritualnatural' continues along the lines of change hinted at by their previous album, 'Alpha & Omega,' which was a transitional album between the more straight-on doom of 1999's 'Proving Ground' and something else, something more experimental. Well, 'Spiritualnatural' has it all, and its their most accomplished album to date. Of course the musicians drive the thing. Drummer and last original member Mike Smail never over or underplays, but is always just right, as is Mary Bielich on bass. They're a superb doom rhythm section. The twin guitar attack of Matt Tuite and Dave Roman is an organic machine honed to jaw-dropping tolerances. Half the time I could only shake my head at the end of a song. Jeez. Frontman Brian "Butch" Balich is a big cut above. First, his lyrics are full of passion and emotion, with just enough metaphor to form the necessary distance to keep you from tearing your own eyes out at the honesty of it all. Any lyrical subject is fair game, from deep introspection to religious belief to child abuse. There's always a sense of the desire to connect in both the lyrics and the music, and chances are if you're reading this then you're a prime candidate for Penance's emotional purge. The music is still as heavy as we've come to expect from these folks, but there's allot more melody here than on 'Proving Ground,' or even older works like 'The Road Less Travelled' for that matter. This easy-on-the-ears listenability happens without sacrificing an ounce of heaviness on the one hand or kissing radio ass on the other. It has a certain contemplative atmosphere laced with confidence. The overall sound is doomy, groovy, and full of riffing brilliance, with lots of delicious tone creating songs that flow together well, sometimes literally linking the tunes with sound and sometimes not. And talk about pushing the envelope! They're including some stuff here that you didn't expect, a few curve balls for the doomed masses. Check out the bagpipes on 'The River Ara' and the east European mandolin (or is that a balalaika?) on 'Iron Curtain Blues.' When was the last time you heard that on a bona-fide doom record? That's right, never. 'All is Vanity' has a weird kind of almost deathy feel to it, while 'Lost my Way' is quintessential doom, representing one of the best songs the band has ever recorded, up there with 'Cloudless.' Its not often I give props for album artwork, but in this case it fits the package so well that I have to mention it. It’s a minimal abstract multicoloured figure that's both weird and beautiful. It puts me in mind of the scarf flying through the trees on the inside sleeve of Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here.' Somehow sad, lonely, and gorgeous. You've got the vinyl edition of that, right? So you know what I'm talking about. This is the most accomplished Penance yet, played by seasoned music vets who play doom their way. If you're down with that, then its time for Pa Ubu's Doom Party. The only sad note is the departure of original member Terry Weston, who nevertheless appears on a few cuts on his way out. Get this and hear one of America's best doom bands in their prime. I'm already impatient for the next album.	1. Gemini 2.The Innocent 3. The River Ara 4. Regret 5. Casting Long Shadows 6. Longsuffering 7. Lost My Way 8. Iron Curtain Blues 9. All is Vanity 10. SpiritualNatural 11. Starshine/Dawn of a New Day Approx. 69 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh