As I sit and put this post together, I honestly don’t even know what the single is yet from the Tony Reed-inclusive incarnation of Pentagram‘s forthcoming full-length, Lightning in a Bottle, but I wrote a bio for the record that accompanies the announcement of preorders opening below, and, well, there you go. I stand by those assertions of Pentagram as unkillable as a band. Certainly if they were going to actually end — and to be sure they’ve sort-of-ended plenty of times — it would’ve happened at some point in the last 50-plus years.

Founding frontman Bobby Liebling, joined in this new version of the band by the aforementioned Reed, who also produced Lightning in a Bottle, drummer Henry Vasquez and bassist Scooter Haslip, has arguably burned more bridges than he’s crossed, but I can’t sit here and deny either his stage presence, on-album charisma, or the chemistry of the trio backing him. I guess my feelings on the matter are covered in the PR wire text below, so whether you’re a fan of the band and/or their highly polarizing singer, the news is good. If you’re not, well, you’re probably not reading this in the first place, so maybe I don’t need to worry about it.

The bio starts with the paragraph beginning “You can try if you want…” and ends with “…defiant and perpetual.” I also did a bit of the album description here. That starts with “Between records like…” and ends at “…moment of their own making.”

No, I don’t actually think anyone gives a shit where my inclusions start and stop. That’s for my own future reference, since this site has also kind of become my archive for these things.

Once more unto the PR wire with my wordy ass:

PENTAGRAM share first single off new studio album “Lightning In A Bottle”, out January 31st on Heavy Psych Sounds!

US doom metal titans PENTAGRAM announce the release of “Lightning in a Bottle”, their first studio album in a decade to be issued on January 31st through Heavy Psych Sounds Records. Preorder the album and stream the first single now!

Stream Pentagram’s new single “Thundercrest” at this location: https://youtu.be/lqiYgldW5nw

Between records like Relentless and Show ‘Em How, Pentagram have never wanted for self-awareness in terms of album titles. The gauntlet thrown down by Lightning in a Bottle is very much in this tradition. The 10th Pentagram album sees founding frontman and doom figurehead Bobby Liebling leading a new cast of players that includes guitarist/producer Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere, etc.), drummer Henry Vasquez (Legions of Doom, Saint Vitus, Blood of the Sun, etc.) and bassist Scooter Haslip (Mos Generator, Saltine). It would be hard to overstate the energy the new band brings to songs like “Live Again,” “Solve the Puzzle” or “In the Panic Room,” but Lightning in a Bottle is unmistakably a Pentagram record, of course in Liebling’s unremittingly charismatic performance and the groove conjured to back it.

Recorded with Reed at the helm, Lightning in a Bottle recalls the best of what has allowed Pentagram to cast an influence across decades and generations of musicians, bands, and worshippers of Riff, and as just their third studio release in the last 15 years, it’s not a moment to neglect as they dig into a cut like “Dull Pain” or “Lady Heroin,” the latter of which is a naked reconciliation on the part of Liebling with a lifelong addiction to opiates that’s become an inextricable part of the Pentagram story. As he wonders in the lyrics, “Lady Heroin, have I seen the last of you?” it becomes difficult to know whether the separation would be through sobriety or death, and that ambiguity becomes part of what makes the song so striking.

It’s not all brooding, even if it is doom. “Thundercrest” is brash and the nodding title-track brings to mind past glories without actually reliving them. The central message, any way you want to look at it, is that no matter how much the band has been through over the last half-century-plus, they remain a singular force. Lightning in a Bottle might not be the first Pentagram reboot, but it brings fresh ideas and dynamic to one of doom’s most classic, formative acts, and as soon as you hit play, the band absolutely own the moment of their own making.

As part of their collaboration with Heavy Psych Sounds, Pentagram are reissuing their entire discography, including an awaited repress of the Show ‘Em How album. All records are available now at this location: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/

New album “Lightning in a Bottle” (LP/CD/digital)
Out January 31st on Heavy Psych Sounds – PREORDER: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/

You can try if you want – you wouldn’t be the first – but Pentagram are undeniable. More than 50 years on from the first incarnation of the band, through decades of tumult, hard wins and tough losses, the band has cast an influence across doom the likes of which few have ever attained, and as with Candlemass, or Saint Vitus, Trouble or any other ‘legendary’ name you want to drop, modern doom cannot not take the shape it has without them.

The singular presence of frontman Bobby Liebling has been the consistent driving factor keeping them going against odds, gods, and, sometimes, better judgment, and Pentagram’s history is known almost as much for drama and scandal, the comings and goings of members, sometimes acrimonious, as it is for classic songs like “All Your Sins,” “Be Forewarned” or “Forever My Queen.” In 2011, the documentary Last Days Here let Liebling tell part of the story, from the earliest demos to a flirtation with major-label stardom to the depths of addiction and obscurity. Unflinching and powerful, the film ended with a new incarnation of Pentagram on stage, reviving the band to a new generation of listeners hungry for what in the interim had become a classic, distinctive sound.

Pentagram’s most recent studio album was 2015’s Curious Volume, a follow-up to the record that started the resurgence, 2009’s Last Rites. Their catalog is replete with collected singles, different versions of LPs, and so on, but records like 1985’s Pentagram, 1987’s Day of Reckoning, the arrival of Relentless in 1993 or of the early-works compilation First Daze Here (The Vintage Collection) in 2002 are classics. They’ve inspired countless others not only in the band’s home in the Doom Capitol (Washington D.C./Maryland) region, but around the world, and ready definitions for the term ‘lifer’ are rarely so forthcoming. With a miles-long trail of burned bridges behind them, Pentagram may yet outlive us all.

The list of players who’ve helped shape this legacy is long, from guitarists like Geof O’Keefe (Macabre), Victor Griffin (Death Row, Place of Skulls) and Kelly Carmichael (Internal Void) to bassists like Kayt Vigil (Sonic Wolves), Adam Heinzmann (Internal Void, Foghound), and Greg Turley (Place of Skulls) and drummers like Gary Isom (Spirit Caravan, ex-Wretched), Joe Hasselvander (Raven, The Hounds of Hasselvander), Sean Saley (Satan’s Satyrs) and Pete Campbell (The Mighty Nimbus, Sixty Watt Shaman). That is a fraction of the full list. It is a family tree unmatched in doom, and it hasn’t always been pretty going from one incarnation of the band to the next, but anyone who’s ever counted them out or said, “oh that’s it they’re done,” has only thus far ever sounded foolish in hindsight.

It’s 2024 and Pentagram stand ready for another impossible comeback. A revamped lineup reads like a cast of ringers with guitarist/producer Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere) taking up six-string duties, Scooter Haslip (also Mos Generator) arriving on bass and Henry Vasquez (Saint Vitus, Legions of Doom, Blood of the Sun) atop the throne on drums, and their 10th studio album, Lightning in a Bottle, as a cause to once again take up arms and hit the road. Aligned with Italian label Heavy Psych Sounds, the album brings new ideas and perspectives while remaining true to Pentagram’s history in riffs and facebound groove.

The new material is delivered with due force, and in songs like “Lady Heroin,” “I Spoke to Death” and “I’ll Certainly See You in Hell,” there’s more than a little reconciliation happening as this version of Pentagram examine the long narrative of which they are now part. There’s no question that wherever the band go, chaos follows, and with Liebling as storyteller, the next controversy looms, but the lesson to take from more than five decades of Pentagram’s existence is that sometimes the mere existence of a thing can be an act of rebellion. Thus, Pentagram, defiant and perpetual.

PENTAGRAM is
Bobby Liebling – Vocals
Henry Vasquez – drums
Tony Reed – Guitar
Scooter Haslip – Bass

http://www.PentagramOfficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/pentagramusa
https://www.instagram.com/pentagram_the_band

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Pentagram, “Thundercrest”

I didn’t see Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere, much else) or Henry Vasquez (Legions of Doom, Saint Vitus, Blood of the Sun, much else) joining Pentagram coming. The guitarist and drummer, respectively, as well as bassist Scooter Haslip (also Mos Generator and sundry other adjacent projects) have signed on as the latest incarnation of the long-running and crucial Bobby Liebling-fronted doomers, replacing guitarist Matt Goldsborough, drummer “Minnesota Pete” Campbell and bassist Greg Turley, all of whom recently departed the band. I am genuinely surprised.

Interesting that what I’m not seeing below is any talk of retirement, which as I previously understood it was the endgame following the touring Pentagram have already undertaken and will continue to undertake this year, mostly in Europe. That would make this potentially the last lineup of the band, and if you know any of these guys’ work — anyone remember Reed‘s “Forever My Queen” cover? — you know it would be a hell of a way to go out. But that doesn’t seem to be what’s happening anymore.

Instead, there’s a headlining slot at Levitation Fest this Fall in Austin, forthcoming reissues (which to be fair would’ve likely happened anyway) and talk, albeit loose, of a new studio album, though I think it’s understood that the one end to the other on that, in any context, is subject to change. Whether a new LP happens, when and how, will shift the story of the band, with its many ups and downs across more than five decades. The moral of the story seems to be that at least in some manner — and that could still include continuing to record without major touring from this point forward — Pentagram are going to continue despite the fact that their retirement tour had already begun. Very Pentagram of them.

From the PR wire:

US doom metal legends PENTAGRAM reveal new lineup; first studio album in a decade and exclusive reissues announced on Heavy Psych Sounds!

The doom metal pioneers reveal a brand new lineup for their upcoming new album and tours. PENTAGRAM have recently signed to Heavy Psych Sounds for the reissue of their “Review Your Choices” and “Sub-Basement” albums as well as the long-awaited follow-up to their 2015 full-length “Curious Volume”.

A new chapter dawns on the mighty PENTAGRAM, and the modern lore unfolds with the arrival of an electrifying new lineup. Around legendary frontman and band founder Bobby Liebling comes the melodic power of guitarist Tony Reed — known for fronting Seattle rock stalwarts Mos Generator as well as producing and engineering some of the modern heavy scene’s cornerstone releases from Electric Wizard to Blues Pills — and the sheer grooves of bassist Scooter Haslip, also of Mos Generator and former Saltine. The new lineup is rounded out by scene heavyweight and internationally renowned drummer Henry Vasquez of Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, The Skull/Legion Of Doom and Sourvein.

Recently signed to European powerhouse Heavy Psych Sounds Records, PENTAGRAM is currently entering the studio, poised to usher in a bold era with a new album and tours that will see the band traveling to distant ends of the globe.

The band’s return to the States will be elevated by a headline performance at Levitation 2024 on November 3rd in Austin, TX. The night’s stage will be honored by a live resurrection of hometown legends The Sword.

PENTAGRAM is set to reissue the “Review Your Choices” and “Sub-Basement” albums (originally released in 1999 and 2001 via Black Widow Records) in a fully remastered version engineered by Tony Reed, with preorders starting on July 2nd via www.heavypsychsounds.com.

http://www.PentagramOfficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/pentagramusa

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Pentagram, Live at Desertfest Berlin 2024

This band doesn’t have a name yet, but on the prospect of a thing happening involving these players, it seemed worth hitting up Minnesota Pete Campbell for more info expanding on the lineup declaration that social media’s all-seeing/all-knowing/all-exploiting algorithm saw fit to put before my ever-sleepier eyes. Not a huge leap to think that he means it when he describes it as “extremely guitar driven.” Dude, you’ve got Alx Hellid — whose name I’d swear used to have another vowel — and Bob Balch. Probably an understatement as regards the “driving.”

So yeah, don’t go thumbing through the below looking for concrete release info or anything like that. They’re making demos. But it’s fucking cool when bands happen across continental divides, and given the dudes involved here, it seems completely reasonable for me to be stoked on the sheer hypothetical alone. They’re looking for a singer. You gonna try out?

Dig the pedigree — Fredrik Isaksson was also in Grave during the ’00s; pretty rad — and imagine the possibilities:

Extremely proud to announce this!!!

Bob Balch (Fu Manchu, Big Scenic Nowhere, SLOWER) – GUITAR
Alx Hellid (Entombed, Nihilist) – GUITAR
Fredrik Isaksson (Dark Funeral, Berserker Legion) – BASS
Minnesota Pete Campbell (Pentagram, The Mighty Nimbus, Sixty Watt Shaman, Rust Bucket) – DRUMS

The riffs being thrown around are ungodly! This will be a game changer! Stay tuned

“This project came to life when I reached out to Bob Balch about some possible Pentagram stuff. Him and I have been tossing riffs back and forth and they were just to killer to not do something with! So we decided to do a little something together. I couldn’t be more excited to make music with these men! Icons and legends and the music will speak for itself!

I met Fredrick in Helsinki when both our bands played a festival together and we became instant friends. Before the night was over we already decided we were gonna jam together in something someday.

I’ve been friends and working with Alx Hellid for 20 years. Him and I have been working on The Mighty Nimbus reissue and I just asked if he’d be interested in jamming and he said Hell yeah!

We’ve been tossing riffs and demos around and it’s sounding killer! Think 70’s Heavy Metal in the vain of the Scorps, Maiden, Priest, Riot, and Thin Lizzy. Extremely guitar driven and with everyone’s influences who knows where it could go!!

We’ve got demos out to some pretty crazy good vocalists to find the perfect final piece! This will be a game changer that I promise!”

With Pentagram at the top of its thus-far bill playing what will reportedly be their final Swiss show ever on a retirement tour that will also stop through Desertfest Berlin 2024 this Spring, the Sound of Liberation-associated Up in Smoke Festival has made the first lineup announcement for its 10th anniversary edition. Set for Oct. 4-6, it is at the spearhead of what will almost certainly be a busy month on the European underground touring circuit. And as one expects news to follow shortly from other October festivals throughout Western Europe — Keep it Low in Munich, Desertfest Belgium in Antwerp, Høstsabbat in Norway that I’ve been fortunate enough to go to a couple times, and so on — knowing that the likes of Truckfighters, Monolord, Lowrider, Greenleaf and Slomosa will be out on the road, at least the latter two of them behind new records, warms the heart in February’s drear. Will I be there? Probably not, barring a miracle or some kind of grant that doesn’t exist, but someone will be, and that’s rad enough of a thought to get me through the end of this sentence, so I’ll take it.

Wonder if we’ll see new stuff from Gnome this year, and I think Messa were beginning the process this winter of their next LP. October is far enough away that just about anything can happen between now and then, and I guess that’s part of the fun in posting these things in the first place. Thanks for talking that one through with me.

And while we’re here, happy 10th anniversary to Up in Smoke, and many happy returns.

Here’s the latest:

⚡️UP IN SMOKE FESTIVAL 2024 – FIRST BAND ANNOUNCEMENT⚡️

Hey Smokers,

Today, we are thrilled to announce the first bunch of amazing bands for the 10th-anniversary of our beloved Up In Smoke Festival!🖤

None other than Bobby Liebling and his crew in Pentagram will be joining us to celebrate their last show in Switzerland ever! 🔥

So great to see our Scandinavian friends Truckfighters, Monolord, Slomosa, Greenleaf and Lowrider joining the madness with exclusive Switzerland shows.

In addition to this, we are introducing the dark, haunting sounds of the female-fronted doom outfits Messa and Wolvennest, along with the experimental rockers Djinn, Belgium’s one and only Gnome, and the UK riffmasters Psychlona.

Up in Smoke takes place near Basel and Switzerland offers some excellent bands as well! Check out Tar Pond, Preamp Disaster, Norna, No Mute and Glue.🇨🇭

Make no mistake, this was just the beginning!👀

Up in Smoke 2024 will be a massive heavy rockin’ birthday bash and the stoner party of the year!🪩

Line Up:

Pentagram *last Swiss show ever*
Truckfighters
Monolord
Lowrider
Greenleaf
Slomosa
Messa
Wolvennest
Gnome
Psychlona
Djiin
Tar Pond
Preamp Disaster
Norna
No Mute
Glue
& many more

🎫Online-Tickets: www.sol-tickets.com
(link in bio)
& www.z-7.ch

🎫Hardtickets: www.sol-records.com

🌐Website: www.upinsmoke.de

Up In Smoke Festival
10th Anniversary
🗓️04. – 06. October 2024
📍Z7 Konzertfabrik
Pratteln, Switzerland

Cheers,
Your UIS-Crew

https://www.facebook.com/upinsmokefestivalswitzerland
https://www.instagram.com/up_in_smoke_festival

https://www.facebook.com/Soundofliberation/
https://www.instagram.com/soundofliberation/
https://www.soundofliberation.com/

Lowrider, Live at Hellfest 2022

Am I taking this entire Desertfest Berlin 2024 announcement as an excuse to put on Ruff Majik‘s Elektrik Ram yet again even though I was playing it approximately 40 hours ago while writing the best-of-2023 post? You bet your ass I am. 40 hours is about as long as I’ve made it all year. Less if you count hearing the songs in your head when the music isn’t actually on.

Elsewhere here, check out Masters of Reality confirmed for both flagship Desertfests. Another record might be too weird for planet earth, but I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. And I’ll note that this is the first I’m hearing of a farewell tour from Pentagram to take place in 2024/2025, but apparently that’s going to be a thing. Call it a low-level surprise? Nobody’s gonna say Bobby Liebling didn’t put in his time, even if you only count since the band got going again in 2009, never mind the better part of four decades prior.

I’ll be expecting tour announcements from Mondo Generator and Ruff Majik — maybe they’ll be out together; that would kind of rule as a pairing — Daevar, Pentagram, Arthur Brown, etc., and will post accordingly when I see what I see.

From the PR wire:

DESERTFEST BERLIN confirms PENTAGRAM, MASTERS OF REALITY, MONDO GENERATOR & many more new band names for 2024!

Desertfest Berlin has announced new names for their eclectic 2024-edition, and confirms iconic PENTAGRAM (last Berlin show ever!), MASTERS OF REALITY, THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN, MONDO GENERATOR, RUFF MAJIK, DAEVAR, APTERA, ZAHN, ZERRE and EINSEINSEINS! Get ready for THE riff party of the year – aside a wild and high-class blend of finest psychedelia, stoner rock, doom, desert punk blues, sludge and all that is metal, this is also going to be your last chance to see PENTAGRAM live in Berlin on their final Farewell Tour in 2024/2025!

Desertfest Berlin will take place between May 24 – 26, 2024 at Columbiahalle and Columbia Theater. Tickets, that would also make some perfect Xmas gift, are on sale at: www.desertfest-tickets.de

AMENRA | OSEES | PENTAGRAM
MASTERS OF REALITY | ACID KING | BRANT BJORK TRIO
THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN | TAMIKREST
PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS | MONDO GENERATOR
MONKEY3 | SIENA ROOT | DŸSE |EARTH TONGUE
DIRTY SOUND MAGNET | THRONEHAMMER | RUFF MAJIK | FULL EARTH
NEÀNDER | APTERA | ZAHN | DAEVAR | ZERRE
EINSEINSEINS | PRAISE THE PLAGUE
& MANY MORE

TICKETS ON SALE NOW: www.desertfest.de

www.desertfest.de
www.facebook.com/DesertfestBerlin
www.instagram.com/desertfest_berlin

Ruff Majik, Elektrik Ram (2023)

Scott Reagers, Ron Holzner, Karl Agell, Lothar Keller, Henry Vasquez and Victor Griffin are Legion of Doom. Wow, huh? I’d be interested to hear a collective count of the members of this band’s years of experience. Griffin started Death Row in 1980. Reagers goes back to the ’80s with Saint Vitus. Holzner joined Trouble in ’86. Karl Agell sang for Corrosion of Conformity circa Blind in 1991. Vasquez started out in Archie Bunker in 1997. And Keller started Sacred Dawn in 2005 and was founding guitarist for The Skull beginning in 2012. That’s arguably 150 years of doom and metal from these guys. A collection of lifers.

So you’ve got the metal-leaning style of Lothar Keller sharpening edges around the unmatched-in-doom tonality of Victor Griffin, two singers and they’re Karl Agell and Scott Reagers, Holzner locked in and smiling on bass while Vasquez is swinging away on drums? That’s a pretty serious fucking band. Every one of them a master at what they do.

And they’re gonna do a record? And play songs from everybody’s catalog? Shit that sounds good. I hope it works. They’re playing the not-to-be-confused-with Legions of Metal fest in Chicago and Hellfest in France in June. Doom on:

LEGION OF DOOM: Metal/Doom Supergroup Featuring Current And Former Members Of The Skull, Trouble, Saint Vitus, Corrosion Of Conformity, Pentagram, And More Solidifies Lineup; First Festival Dates Announced

Have you ever wanted to hear all the heavy in one place? From its origins onward?

After the untimely passing of Eric Wagner (Trouble, The Skull), one of doom metal’s most notable and esteemed singers and songwriters, The Skull bassist and bandleader, Ron Holzner, contemplated long and hard on whether it would be possible to carry on. Nine months and a lot of soul searching later, an idea was born.

Recalls Holzner, “I decided I want to honor the memory of Eric by playing songs that he crafted. I want his spirit to become eternal through his words and melody. And I also want to play songs from the catalogs of everyone involved.”

Alongside guitarist Lothar Keller (The Skull, Sacred Dawn) and drummer Henry Vasquez (The Skull, Saint Vitus, Blood Of The Sun), Holzner decided to reach out to his longtime comrade, vocalist Karl Agell (Corrosion Of Conformity, Blind, Leadfoot, Lie Heavy) as well as vocalist Scott Reagers (Saint Vitus) and riff master general, guitarist Victor Griffin (Death Row, Pentagram, Place Of Skulls). And so LEGION OF DOOM has come to exist with an all-star lineup of doom’s most prestigious figureheads, here to share their ultimate heavy truth, taking the genre from what is known into uncharted territories.

Comments Keller, “Continuing The Skull in some kind of form seems like the right thing to do. LEGION OF DOOM is a perfect way to continue bringing doom metal to the fans! There is new music to finish and it’s important for us to follow through with bringing it out for everyone to hear.”

“This is gonna be a monster,” adds Vasquez.

“I have always gravitated towards heavier music. I have been involved with making it for over four decades,” reflects Agell. “When Ron asked me to join him in carrying on the doom metal tradition that he was part of and established first with Trouble and then The Skull, there was only one path forward. It’s been a great honor to sing Eric Wagner’s words and melodies and I truly look forward to performing songs from the massive legacy of all the members of LEGION OF DOOM.”

“It’s a great combination of experience and lineage with everyone involved,” says Griffin. “Though I prefer to avoid hype… regardless, it’s gonna be heavy!”

“Ron approached me and asked if I would be interested in participating in first a tribute to Eric Wagner who was a dear friend of mine and then a new musical adventure,” recalls Reagers. “We both concluded that we were not done with metal. How could I say, ‘no?!’ Karl, whom I respect and admire, adding his incredible vocals to this ensemble… Victor Griffin! My dear friend and bandmate Henry, the great Lothar Keller, and Ron whom I have known forever… This venture is gonna be fun. I look forward to working with these gentlemen!”

Concludes Holzner, “We are all seasoned veterans of the music business and prefer to let our music do the talking… And our music is gonna be speaking loudly! All the fans and bands…We are family. Combined, we are all the Legions Of Doom!”

LEGION OF DOOM will make its debut appearance at Legions Of Metal Fest in Chicago this June before heading overseas for a performance at Hellfest in France with more live dates to be announced in the weeks to come.

LEGION OF DOOM:
6/03/2023 Legions Of Metal Fest @ Reggies Live – Chicago, IL
6/18/2023 Hellfest – Clisson, FR

LEGION OF DOOM:
Ron Holzner – bass
Lothar Keller – guitars
Henry Vasquez – drums
Karl Agell – vocals
Scott Reagers – vocals
Victor Griffin – guitars

http://www.legionofdoomband.com
http://www.facebook.com/legionofdoom
http://www.facebook.com/troubletheskull
http://www.instagram.com/legionofdoommetal
http://www.instagram.com/theskullusa

Legion of Doom (The Skull), live at Hammer of Doom 2022

After celebrating five decades of Pentagram with a short stint of shows earlier in 2022, the band’s founding frontman, Bobby Liebling, will head to Texas in January to join forces with members of Sanctus Bellum, Blues Funeral, Doomstress — and a ton of other bands those dudes are in; Haserot in the case of bassist Ben Yaker and guitarist Maurice Eggenschwiler, James Rivera’s Metalwave in the case of Eggenschwiler and fellow guitarist Jan Kimmel, The Scourge in the case of drummer Alex Erhardt, etc. — under the banner of Bobby Liebling and The Rivetheads, playing rare Pentagram and Bedemon tunes and who even knows what else.

Liebling is an ever-divisive figure at this point, but someone without whose influence American doom wouldn’t be what it is. Interestingly he seems to have taken more of a reputation-tarnishing from punching his mom than the allegations of sexual harassment on tour, but any way you look at it, the story isn’t pretty. Nonetheless, dude’s lived at least eight lifetimes in his one, and with the likes of Fostermother, Stone Nomads, Mr. Plow and Bridge Farmers in opening slots for these two shows, it seems like good times will be had one way or the other. I’m not justifying anybody’s behavior or saying I support it in any way, but 50 years in doom later, Bobby Liebling is still relevant to the genre and there aren’t a lot of people you can say that about.

Announcement comes courtesy of the PR wire:

Pentagram’s Bobby Liebling to Play Solo Shows Highlighting Rare Material

Pentagram frontman Bobby Liebling announces two solo shows in Texas this January. Playing under the name Bobby Liebling and the Rivetheads, the singer will play a set of deep cuts and rare gems from throughout his storied career, including songs from both the Pentagram and Bedemon catalogs. Most of these songs have rarely, if ever, been played live previously. Joining Liebling for these shows will be a Houston-based backing band featuring members of Doomstress, Sanctus Bellum, and Blues Funeral. These shows promise to be an event that fans in attendance will not soon forget.

Bobby Liebling and the Rivetheads

Fri. Jan 27, 2023 – Houston, TX, Black Magic Social Club
Feat. Fostermother, Mr. Plow, Stone Nomads
Event page: https://fb.me/e/4bTU3bF9i

Sat. Jan 28, 2023 – Austin, TX, The Lost Well
Feat. Bridgefarmers, 1 more TBA
Event page: https://fb.me/e/30dxuJhyZ

Bobby Liebling and The Rivetheads:
Bobby Liebling – Vocals
Jan Kimmel – Guitar
Maurice Eggenschwiler – Guitar
Ben Yaker – Bass
Alex Erhardt – Drums

http://www.PentagramOfficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/pentagramusa

Sanctus Bellum w/ Bobby Liebling, “The Bees” Live in Houston

Bobby Liebling & Dave Sherman Basement Chronicles, Nite Owl (2021)

I’m not going to attempt to invalidate anyone’s feelings about Pentagram or their founding frontman Bobby Liebling. Not gonna do it. Although it seemed to be the reports of his having punched his mother that actually got him the most flack over recent years, there were prior allegations of sexual harassment on tour and while doom as a genre is pretty conservative, he’s about as close as I’ve seen anyone come to being ‘canceled’ in any form of underground heavy, with maybe one or two exceptions.

So I’m not looking for drama in posting about the band. If you think dude is a scumbag, maybe you’re right. I don’t really know him beyond his reputation as an addict, his undeniable charisma on stage. We’ve never hung out, in other words. But Pentagram are a band whose influence spans generations and continues to set riffers on a doomly course, and that’s not nothing. Lots of famous artists who’ve made significant aesthetic contributions are arguably unworthy of public adoration. If you put Liebling in that category or you don’t, to be perfectly honest I don’t have the energy to fight you either way.

I’ve had a chat or two with Greg Turley though over the years, and “Minnesota” Pete Campbell is a good guy. I don’t really know Matt Goldsborough, but he can sure play. So whatever. Not trying to trigger anybody here — and yeah, I mean that — but a 50th anniversary of a band’s existence, even if that band is long, long, long removed from its original incarnation and has had long, long, long periods of inactivity in that time, isn’t nothing. This is me noting it.

Dates came from social media:

In honor of the band’s 50th Anniversary, heavy metal pioneers PENTAGRAM return to the stage for a handful of select live performances!

You are cordially invited to come celebrate over a Half A Century of doom, hard rock and heavy metal alongside these living legends. The first string of performances break the band’s two and a half year hiatus and pledge to cover fan favorites from the past five decades.

Conceived on All Hallows Eve of 1971 by vocalist / songwriter Bobby Liebling and fellow hard rocker and horror fan Geof O’Keefe, the band had their first rehearsal on Christmas Night of the same year.

Secure your attendance now and partake in this historic soiree in one or more of the fine cities below. Further details and appearances will be revealed over the next days and weeks. Tickets may be obtained on our “Events” page: https://www.facebook.com/pentagramusa/events/

US Dates:
June 7 – Mechanicsburg PA @ Lovedraft’s brewing
June 8 – Boston MA @ Brighton music hall
June 9 – Portland ME @ Genos
June 10 – Brooklyn NY @ Sovereign
June 11 – New Haven CT @ State House
June 12 – Frederick MD @ cafe 611 w/ Bloodshot

Pentagram: Bobby Liebling, Greg Turley, Pete Campbell, Matt Goldsborough

http://www.PentagramOfficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/pentagramusa

Pentagram, “The Diver” 2022 Rehearsal