After nearly four decades of flying the flag for Ancient Death Metal, Dutch underground veterans Pentacle have earned the right to do things entirely on their own terms. But even the most battle-hardened underground warriors eventually reach a crossroad. With vocalist/bassist Wannes Gubbels at the helm, Pentacle recently unleashed five new tracks on the Spawn of the Graveless Deity split with Italy’s Deathfucker, proving that their old-school death metal conviction remains firmly intact—yet there’s a bittersweet shadow hanging over the band’s latest chapter: their live activities in 2026 and 2027 will mark the end of Pentacle’s long concert career.
In this interview, Gubbels opens up about the split, the importance of keeping physical underground releases alive, and the unfiltered realities of being a fiercely independent band for so many years. We also discuss Pentacle’s long-awaited first-ever Finnish shows in Espoo and Turku this November, the memories and frustrations of life on the road, and what the future might hold once the final curtain falls on their live career. One thing is certain: Pentacle has never chased trends or bent its principles to please anyone. And if there’s one lesson to take from Gubbels’ reflections, it’s that the ancient feeling still rules—even when the road ahead takes an unexpected turn.
The remainder of this interview can be found @ The Metal Crypt
By Luxi Lahtinen
Published November 2, 2026