Pentagram Demon
Pioneers of doom metal from Alexandria, Virginia, considered one of the "big four" of the genre.
Pentagram is an American doom metal band from Alexandria, Virginia. They are noted as one of the pioneers of heavy metal, particularly of the aforementioned subgenre doom metal. As such, they are considered one of the "big four of doom metal" alongside Candlemass, Saint Vitus, and Trouble. The band's sound has drawn comparisons to Black Sabbath. Pentagram frontman Bobby Liebling has expressed distaste for the "doom metal" terminology, instead preferring Pentagram to be referred to as a "heavy hard rock" band. While active in the underground music scene of the 1970s, Pentagram produced several demos and rehearsal tapes. However, their first full-length album, Relentless, was not released until 1985; it featured a new lineup, with the only original member being vocalist Bobby Liebling. The band has since released eight more studio albums.
Lore & Background
Pentagram formed in 1971 when Bobby Liebling and Geof O'Keefe left their previous groups (Shades of Darkness and Space Meat, respectively) to form a new band. Liebling suggested naming the group "Pentagram" to reflect the gloomy subject matter of their material. The band changed its name several times between 1972 and 1974 ("Macabre" in 1972, "Virgin Death" in 1973, and "Wicked Angel" in 1974) before permanently returning to Pentagram. The initial lineup consisted of Liebling on vocals, O'Keefe on guitar, Vincent McAllister on bass, and Steve Martin on drums. Early practices included the long-time standard "Livin' in a Ram's Head." On Christmas Day 1971, a lineup of Liebling, McAllister on guitar, Greg Mayne on bass, and O'Keefe on drums began rehearsing. In mid-1974, rhythm guitarist Randy Palmer joined the "Ram Family" but left in January 1975 due to drug problems. On April 29, 1975, journalist Gordon Fletcher persuaded Sandy Pearlman and Murray Krugman (producer and manager of Blue Öyster Cult) to see them rehearse, leading to a demo session at Columbia Studios in New York City that September.
Reader's Guide
In 1980, bassist Lee Abney and guitarist Victor Griffin formed a Knoxville, Tennessee doom metal band named Death Row. Drummer Joe Hasselvander joined, and the group recruited Liebling on vocals. Former member Swaney soon replaced Abney on bass and the band re-assumed the name 'Pentagram.' Following two demos in 1982 and 1983, Hasselvander left in 1984 and Stuart Rose replaced him. The 1982 demo, All Your Sins, was remixed and partially re-recorded in 1984 for release in 1985 as the band's eponymous debut album, often referred to as Relentless after being renamed when reissued by Peaceville Records in 1993. After recording their second album, Day of Reckoning, the band folded. In 1989, 1970s-era members Mayne and Palmer rejoined Liebling with Ted Feldman on guitar and John Cook on drums, but they split up in 1990. The classic lineup of Liebling, Griffin, Swaney, and Hasselvander reformed in 1993, releasing their third full-length album, Be Forewarned, in 1994. Liebling and Hasselvander recorded both 1999's Review Your Choices and 2001's Sub-Basement as a duo. The current lineup of Pentagram consists of Liebling, Tony Reed (guitar), Scooter Haslip (bass), and Henry Vasquez (drums).
Did You Know?
- Kiss reportedly attempted to purchase the rights for two songs from Pentagram at some point in the 1970s.
- Lead vocalist Bobby Liebling has been referred to as 'very much the US version of Ozzy Osbourne, but without the money or sustained success.'
- The band's first 7-inch, 'Be Forewarned,' was released under the name Macabre.
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