The Pentagram
The word pentagram essentially means five lines. It is derived from the Greek Work pentagrammon, made up of pente (five) + grammē (line). What it refers to is to a five-pointed star. When the star is encircled then it is referred to as a pentacle.
The origin of the use of pentagrams is shrouded in the mists of time. Earliest archeological evidence for the use of this symbol dates to Sumerian period (c. 3500 B.C.E.), where it was found etched on pottery. The five-pointed star was also used to symbolize both Ishtar and Marduk. Ancient Chinese artifacts dating back to the Liangzhu culture (c. 5000 years ago) also show pentagrams.
The ancient Greeks had knowledge and used this symbol as early as the 7th century B.C.E. Pythagoras and his followers (6th century B.C.E.) used this symbol for mutual recognition. For them it symbolized wellbeing.
For the ancient Jews (300 – 150 B.C.E.) the pentagram stood as the symbol of Jerusalem, each point of the star marked by the five Hebrew letters spelling its name.
It might come as a surprise to some, but during the Middle Ages the pentagram was used by Christians, representing for them the five wounds of Christ. The unknown author of the 14th century English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, places the pentagram on the shield of Gawain. He narrates that the symbol originated with King Solomon and for Gawain it represented perfection: Gawain is perfect in his five senses and five fingers, faithful to the Five Wounds of Christ, takes courage from the five joys that Mary had of Jesus, and exemplifies the five virtues of knighthood, which are generosity, friendship, chastity, chivalry, and piety.
The inverted pentagram found on the rose of Amiens Cathedral (dating back to the 13th century) is supposed to represent the Holy Spirit descending on people.
During the Renaissance period, Heinrich Sornelius Agrippa and other occultists started using the pentagram as a magical symbol, each point of the star representing the five neo platonic elements (earth, air, fire, water, and space).
By the mid-19th century occult practices had taken root in Europe and further theories were put forward. One of the most interesting for the purpose of this article is that coined by the French esotericist, ceremonial magician, poet and writer Éliphas Lévi Zahed (born Alphonse Luis Constant 1810 – 1875). Lévi is also responsible for the image of Bapomet we are familiar with today. He believed that when the pentagram was with a single point upwards, it depicted the spirit presiding over the four elements and this was a sign for good. On the other hand, when the pentacle was reversed it represented evil. In his books Transcendental Magic, Its Doctrine and Ritual (1896), he explains the following:
"A reversed pentagram, with two points projecting upwards, is a symbol of evil and attracts sinister forces because it overturns the proper order of things and demonstrates the triumph of matter over spirit. It is the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns, a sign execrated by initiates."
In his book The Key of the Mysteries (1859), Lévi takes things a step further and introduces the readers to the association of the inverted pentacle with the goat of black magic.
"The flaming star, which, when turned upside down, is the heirolgyphic [sic] sign of the goat of black magic, whose head may be drawn in the star, the two horns at the top, the ears to the right and left, the beard at the bottom. It is a sign of antagonism and fatality. It is the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns."
The pentagram is also utilized in ceremonial magic for the sake of protection against the forces of evil. Éliphas Lévi claimed that "The Pentagram expresses the mind's domination over the elements and it is by this sign that we bind the demons of the air, the spirits of fire, the spectres of water, and the ghosts of earth." Alister Crowley also made use of the symbol in his system of magick used in Thelema. Contradicting his old fellows from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, he did not consider the inverted pentagram as ‘evil’ but as the triumph of matter over spirit.
The encircled pentagram is also wildly used by neo-pagan religions, such as Wicca. Many people associate the neo-pagan interpretation of the symbol as Satanism, but the two religions are as different as can be. Neo-pagans do not believe in an entity such as the devil. For them this symbol represents the unity of the four elements and spirit.
The association of the inverted pentagram with Satanism, sometimes incorporating the head of Baphomet, was popularized by American occultist Anton LaVey (1930 – 1997), when he founded the Church of Satan in 1968. LaVeyan Satanists pair the goat head with Hebrew letters at the five points of the star to form the Sigil of Baphomet. This was adopted by other Satanist organizations as their symbol.
Other religions and associations use the pentagram or inverted pentagram as their symbol but that will be superfluous for the scope of this article.
Use of the inverted pentagram / Sigil of Baphomet in Metal.
Many accusing metal bands of being evil or satanic, point out at the use of the inverted pentagram or Sigil of Baphomet as prime evidence. Whilst there is a sub-genre of metal that devotes its efforts to proselytize Satanism through their music, more often than not, symbolism associated with ‘evil’ such as the inverted pentagram and the Sigil of Baphomet are used for their shock value.
The list of bands utilizing such imagery is inexhaustive, so I would be limiting myself to the pioneers, the bands that got there first.
The first band to be associated with this symbol is Pentagram from the United States. The fascination by subjects surrounding God and the devil led to the band to adopt this name in 1971. Curiously, the doom legends, changed their name to Macabre for their first single in 1972, but in 1973 they changed back to Pentagram when they released their demo and another single. Their first single released in 1972, including “Be Forewarned” and “Lazy Lady” does not include any imagery.
The use of the inverted pentagram and Sigil of Baphomet kicked off when Cronos, singer with the band Venom, used his own take of the symbol for the groups 1981’s release of the single “In League With Satan / Live like and Angel” (released 19 April 1981) This was followed by the release of their first album, Welcome to Hell, in December 1981.
In December 1983, extreme metal band Slayer, used their band logo, set over an inverted pentagram, made up of swords and a sword brandishing goat headed character, as artwork for the release of their debut studio album, Show No Mercy.
More to cause controversy than other thing else, glam metal band Mötley Crüe, rode on the wave of “Satanic Panic” gripping America at the time, and splashed an inverted pentagram as artwork for their second studio album, Shout at the Devil, which was released on September 23, 1983.
A year later, in 1984, Swedish extreme metal legends Bathory, released their self-titled debut album. The cover features a large pentagram on the back. As front artwork the band made use of a goat head, minus the pentagram, this becoming one of the most iconic images of black metal.
English trash metal band Onslaught released their debut studio album, Power from Hell, in February 1985. The artwork depicts an armed demon rising from a pentagram.
Death metal pioneers Morbid Angel, integrated an pentagram, complete with inverted cross, into their logo from their start in 1986. This would be repeated by countless other bands over the years.
In 1989, Swedish black/death metallers Treblinka, also integrated the pentagram in their logo, and this was used on the artwork of their demo The Sign of the Pentagram.
In 1989 Darkthrone introduced their new logo designed by Tassilo Förg, Gylve "Fenriz" Nagell, and Tomas Lindberg (At the Gates), incorporating a pentagram with the band’s name. This was first used on the release of Cromlech on tape.
In 1990, Florida death metallers Decide, a band that never shied away from Satanism, decorated the inner sleeve of their first, self-titled, album with ‘trifixion’, a symbol of their own making consisting of three inverted crosses with two pentagrams. A three-dimensional version of ‘trifixion’ adorns the cover of their second album Legion, released in 1992.
Also in 1990, Finnish black metal pioneers Beherit released Dawn of Satan’s Millenium EP, featuring iconic artwork by Chritophe Moyen.
Another band worth mentioning, for having the inverted pentagram as part of their logo, are the Swedish black metal veterans Dark Funeral (founded in 1993).
Norse black metal act Gorgoroth released their debut album Pentagram in 1994 but no pentagram is shown on the sleeve or disk.
In 1994, Cradle of Filth released The Principle of Evil Made Flesh. Though there is no pentagram displayed on the main artwork, it can be found printed on the vinyl.
Formed in 1993, the English symphonic black metal band Hecate Enthroned, incorporated the Sigil of Baphomet as part of their logo.
Brazilian death metal masters Krisiun used a huge bloody inverted pentagram, with four inverted crosses, as artwork for their debut album Black Force Domain, issued in 1995. In 1996 Melechesh released their first EP The Siege of Lachish, also featuring an ornate version of the pentagram on their cover.
Dimmu Borgir released Enthrone Darkness Triumphant in 1997. The album artwork hints at a pentagram behind the main figure. Yet, as from this album, their logo was changed to a cleaner design
Another hit of the use of a pentagram comes with 2002’s Anthrax release of their album We’ve Come For Your All. Though it’s not straight in your face, the pentagram-like design was cleverly designed to show the A from the band’s logo.
A unique blend of a massive black pentagram and weed leaf adorns the album artwork for A Lethal Dose of American Hatred, released by Superjoint Ritual in 2003.
Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy were not shy in using the pentagram on shirts and merchandise, but it was incorporated in their logo in 2006.
To close the list, I chose the logo of a Maltese black metal one-man songsmith, which I have at heart. Saħħar has been delivering a steady flow of releases since 2006. His logo is inspired by the Sigil of Baphomet.
Conclusion
This is a very short and exclusive list of metal bands who make use of the pentagram or the Sigil of Baphomet as part of their logo album cover artwork. There are hundreds more that I have left out. Try to find some out and listen to their music.
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