Post Description

Studio Album, released in 1975, France.

Het enige album van deze Franse symphonic progband.

Another one off band, Pentacle was formed in 1971 in Belfort, France. Their one album "La Clef des Songes" was released in 1975, and was produced by Ange"s Christian Decamps. The lineup consisted of Claude Mentrier on keyboards, Michael Roy on Drums, Richard Tribier on bass and acoustic guitar, and Gerald Reuz on guitars and lead vocals.

The music is described as elegant, avoiding the bombast of some of their contemporaries. There is also a spacey component. That does not necessarily mean completely soft.
The vocals are emotional, and there are bits of guitar lashing. Passages evoke early King Crimson, and Moody Blues. There are the trademark symphonic tempo shifts, but complexity is not a hallmark.

After listening to "La Clef Des Songes" a few times, I rated it as one of the best albums from the seventies French prog scene. PENTACLE were a 4-piece band influenced by bands like early KING CRIMSON, and the MOODY BLUES. Their music tends to lean on the mellow symphonic sound, where beautifully colorful themes are led by acoustic/eletric guitar and analog keyboards. Every once in a while, the band starts to explore more aggressive territory (faster tempos, time-signatures, etc), and the guitarist bursts into passionate soloing. All of the tracks feature French vocals, which add to the beauty of the music. Fans of melodic bands like CARPE DIEM are in for a treat with this little gem. 



Songs / Tracks Listing

1. La Clef Des Songes (4:06)
2. Naufrage (4:27)
3. L"âme Du Guerrier (6:06)
4. Les Pauvres (3:25)
5. Complot (5:01)
6. Le Raconteur (10:42)
7. La Clef Des Songes - Live (6:00)
8. Complot - Live (8:43)
9. Le Raconteur - Live (7:23)

Total Time: 53:53

Line-up / Musicians

- Claude Menetrier / organ, Moog, Elka string ensemble, piano
- Michel Roy / drums, backing vocals
- Gerald Reuz / electric & acoustic guitars, lead vocals
- Richard Treiber / bass, acoustic guitar