PENTAGRAM IN CONCERT:
More than four decades after Pentagram burst onto the scene with their signature take on doom metal, the band is back in solid form with a new roster and explosive live tour. Their high-octane shows are brimming with the frenetic energy and superior musicianship that helped pave the way for their younger metal successors. Led by fervent frontman Bobby Liebling, the group combines the distorted, psychedelic tunes from their '70s era with the pulsating, heavy metal riffs that defined their sound from the '80s on. Liebling is as hypnotic as ever -- his unhinged expressions, eccentric style, and rich voice combine to make him a captivating onstage presence ticket buyers can't get enough of.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Heavy metal band Pentagram has weathered several reincarnations since its inception in 1971. The only constant member is mysterious and erratic lead singer Bobby Liebling, who has presided over more than a dozen different lineups. During the '70s the original band helped pioneer doom metal and earned a cult following in the underground metal scene. But their scarce output of material and frustrating lack of label interest drove them apart in 1976. Four years later Liebling joined Tennessee-based outfit Death Row and convinced them to change their name to Pentagram. This version of the band released two albums: 1985's self-titled debut and 1987's Day Of Reckoning, which is widely considered Pentagram's standout. They disbanded in 1997, and Liebling and drummer Joe Hasselvander recorded two albums as a duo: 1999's Review Your Choices and 2001's Sub-Basement. After a few unsuccessful attempts at reviving a live version of Pentagram in the early '00s, Liebling finally formed a new lineup to perform a comeback show in 2009. The sold-out gig at New York City's Webster Hall was a raging success and convinced Liebling that Pentagram's history was still incomplete. He recruited yet another roster of musicians and signed a three-album deal with Metal Blade Records in 2010. The following year Pentagram celebrated its milestone 40th anniversary with a new album, Last Rites, which incorporated touches of moody psychedelic rock reminiscent of their '70s material. The band experienced a resurgence of popularity in 2014 after announcing a long-awaited U.S. tour and studio sessions for a brand-new album.
