Good afternoon! The Meista here with another rocking pairing for you! Today I'm pairing Pentagram's double album "First Daze Here Too" and a Double Daddy Imperial IPA (ancestor to the Big Daddy IPA) from Speakeasy Ales & Lagers out of San Francisco. This pairing goes out Sean 'Pellet' Pelletier! Cheers man!!
"First Daze Here Too" is the follow up release of "First Daze Here" (which I paired here back in March: http://brewsandtunes.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-30th-2013-in-westvleteren-daze.html) featuring early to mid-1970s material by doom metal band Pentagram. It was released in 2006. A little faster-paced and more raw than the first album, "First Daze Here Too" is . Characterized by down-tuned guitars, thunderously heavy and methodical drumming and bass work, and lead singer Bobby Liebling's Rod Evans-like vocals, Pentagram is a brilliant powerhouse of fiery sonics and execution. Songs like "Smokescreen," "Teaser," "Much Too Young To Know," "Virgin Death," "Die In Your Sleep," and "Take Me Away" are beastly rockers that will get you raising your fist and bobbing your head. There are still some wonderfully slow and heavy doom classics on "First Daze Here Too" as well like "When The Screams Come," "Be Forewarned," "Frustration," and "Nightmare Gown," "Show 'Em How." They also do a wonderful job of covering the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb" and the Yardbirds' "Little Games." A lot of the material on this album is from demo tapes so there is a raw, somewhat unfinished feel and the sound quality isn't always great, but this is the real deal... heavy duty rock and roll! (It is important to note that this wonderful material probably would never have seen the light of day if fan and manager Pellet had not helped Bobby kick his drug habit and re-launch Pentagram.)
Since "First Daze Here Too" is a little faster-paced than its predecessor, I decided to go with a big, sharp, and bitter Imperial IPA rather than the usual dark Belgian or thick stout that I would normally accompany with a sludgy doom metal album. Thus, the Speakeasy Double Daddy Imperial IPA! A Double or Imperial IPA is the American take on the traditional English ale, but "hopped" up on steroids! The Double Daddy pours a semi-hazy orange/gold amber with a frothy 2-finger head that leaves strong spider web lacing. The nose is a combination of sweet and bitter. There are sweet and citrusy notes of caramel, sweet bread, orange juice, mango, and lemon along with piney resin and musky botanicals. The flavor is bitter and hoppy with a nice warming alcohol (8.5% ABV) kick on the palate. Crisp and refreshing with sharp carbonation, the Double Daddy is medium-bodied and very dry. Speakeasy employs Pale malted barley, English Munich Malts, 4 varieties of Pacific Northwest Hops, 3 hop additions, including dry hopping, and their very own Speakeasy Ale Yeast in this delightful IPA. This is definitely a great, heavy beer for a great, heavy album!! Check out Speakeasy Ales & Lagers at www.goodbeer.com.
There is a great interview with Pellet you can read here about Bobby, the band, the movie, and the release of these compilation albums: http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/chawkins/2012/09/last-days-here-a-conversation-with-sean-pellet-pelletier/. Check it out!
Cheers!!
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