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Pentagram (band)

From Alfawiki
Pentagram
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1971
Headquarters
Alexandria, Virginia
,
United States
ProductsDoom metal music, studio albums, live performances

Pentagram is a doom metal group originating from Alexandria, Virginia, USA, widely acknowledged as trailblazers in the heavy metal genre, especially within doom metal. Alongside Candlemass, Saint Vitus, and Trouble, they are frequently cited as one of the "big four of doom metal." Their musical style is often likened to that of Black Sabbath. However, lead vocalist Bobby Liebling prefers to categorize Pentagram as a "heavy hard rock" band rather than strictly doom metal.

Emerging from the 1970s underground scene, Pentagram produced several demo recordings before releasing their first full-length album, Relentless, in 1985. This record introduced a revamped lineup with Liebling remaining as the only founding member. Since then, the band has delivered eight more studio albums. The current roster features Liebling on vocals, Tony Reed handling guitar duties, Scooter Haslip on bass, and Henry Vasquez on drums.

Liebling has been characterized as "the American equivalent of Ozzy Osbourne, albeit without financial success or long-term acclaim." In the 1970s, it is reported that Kiss attempted to secure rights to two songs originally by Pentagram.

1970s

In 1971, Bobby Liebling and Geof O'Keefe departed from their previous musical projects to establish a new band that reflected their fascination with developing metal and heavy rock styles. The name "Pentagram" was proposed by Liebling to align with the band's darker thematic direction. Between 1972 and 1974, the group briefly operated under different names such as "Macabre," "Virgin Death," and "Wicked Angel" before ultimately reverting to Pentagram. Contrary to some accounts, during a brief period with Space Meat, Liebling referred to the band as "Stone Bunny."

Throughout five years, Pentagram cycled through seven different managers, including notable figures like Washington, D.C. rock journalist Gordon Fletcher and producer Tom McGuire.

Early lineups, the Ram Family

The original ensemble consisted of Liebling on vocals, O'Keefe playing guitar, Vincent McAllister on bass, and Steve Martin behind the drums. Among their earliest rehearsed tracks was "Livin' in a Ram's Head," which would endure over time. Shortly after forming, John Jennings joined as a second guitarist but soon left due to disinterest in heavy music; O'Keefe then took over his position. McAllister transitioned to guitar for five years before departing in 1980 to attend the Guitar Institute of Technology; Jennings later collaborated with Mary Chapin Carpenter.

By late 1971, specifically Christmas time, the lineup included Liebling (vocals), McAllister (guitar), Greg Mayne (bass), and O'Keefe (drums). In mid-1974, rhythm guitarist Randy Palmer became part of the group but exited early in 1975 due to substance abuse problems, reducing the band back to four members.

On April 29, 1975, manager Fletcher introduced producers Sandy Pearlman and Murray Krugman—known for their work with Blue Öyster Cult—to observe a rehearsal session. This led to a demo recording at Columbia Studios that September. However, creative disagreements emerged between Liebling and Krugman regarding production choices. After Liebling’s arrest in December 1975, the remaining members left since he held legal rights to the Pentagram name. Throughout 1976, auditions were held for new vocalists and guitarist Marty Iverson joined during summer; yet the band again disbanded from Liebling amid incomplete recording sessions at Underground Sound in Maryland.

Pentagram’s debut 7-inch single titled "Be Forewarned" was issued under the alias Macabre with "Lazy Lady" as its B-side; this was produced by Phillip Knudsen on Intermedia Records. Additionally, a promotional 7-inch featuring "Hurricane" was released. The band is said to have composed nearly eighty original songs—many authored by Liebling—that surfaced on semi-authorized collections such as 1972–1979 and various bootleg releases, alongside the official compilation Human Hurricane. In 2001, Relapse Records unveiled First Daze Here (The Vintage Collection), containing twelve early recordings including live rehearsal tracks; this was succeeded by the two-disc set First Daze Here Too in 2006 featuring further unreleased material.

High Voltage period

Following the departure of O'Keefe, McAllister, and Mayne from Pentagram, a fresh ensemble including Liebling (vocals), Randy Palmer (guitar), and John Ossea (drums) engaged in brief rehearsals. The bass role was filled by Rick Marinari (who later joined Albatross) and Vance Bockis (later associated with the Obsessed), but this formation disbanded within a few months.

On October 31, 1978, Liebling encountered Joe Hasselvander at Louie's Rock City in Falls Church, Virginia. At the time, Hasselvander was drumming for Sex, a band composed of former members of Pentagram and the Boyz. This group included Richard Kueht and Paul Trowbridge on guitars and Marty Swaney on bass. Due to personal conflicts, this lineup ended by 1979, marking the conclusion of what is known as Pentagram's "High Voltage period".

Death Row and Victor Griffin phase

In 1980, bassist Lee Abney and guitarist Victor Griffin established Death Row, a doom metal band based in Knoxville that later moved to Northern Virginia. Joe Hasselvander joined as drummer, while Liebling resumed vocal duties. Marty Swaney replaced Abney on bass as the band reverted to using the name Pentagram. After recording demos in 1982 and 1983, Hasselvander exited in 1984 and was succeeded by Stuart Rose. The 1982 demo All Your Sins was later remixed and partly re-recorded for their debut album released in 1985.

The self-titled album from 1985—commonly referred to as Relentless following its 1993 reissue by Peaceville Records—featured the lineup of Liebling, Griffin, Swaney, and Rose. Its cryptic lyrics contributed to solidifying Pentagram's standing as pioneers within doom metal. After completing their second album, Day of Reckoning, the group disbanded once again. In 1989, original members Mayne and Palmer reunited with Liebling along with Ted Feldman (guitar) and John Cook (drums), working towards a third album before dissolving in 1990.

The classic lineup consisting of Liebling, Griffin, Swaney, and Hasselvander reassembled in 1993; Peaceville Records reissued their first two albums during this period. Peace Records also released a semi-official compilation titled 1972–1979. In 1994, Pentagram unveiled their third studio album, Be Forewarned. That same year, Griffin and Hasselvander briefly performed live with UK doom metal band Cathedral. Greg Turley (bass) and Gary Isom (drums) occasionally substituted for Swaney and Hasselvander during live performances.

Liebling and Hasselvander collaboration

Pentagram reformed in 1996 featuring Liebling on vocals, Hasselvander on drums, with new additions Greg Reeder (guitar) and Ned Meloni (bass), producing the demo Change of Heart. Shortly thereafter, Pentagram functioned primarily as a studio duo with Liebling and Hasselvander covering all instrumental parts. Downtime Records issued early recordings on Human Hurricane in 1998, followed by the bootleg release 1972–1979 (Vol. 2) in 1999.

As a duo, Liebling and Hasselvander recorded the albums Review Your Choices in 1999 and Sub-Basement in 2001. Between these releases, there was a brief live reunion involving the Death Row lineup. During this time frame, they also performed live alongside bassist Walter White and drummer Dale Russell.

In 2001, Relapse Records released First Daze Here (The Vintage Collection), a compilation featuring unreleased tracks from the 1970s. Peaceville Records followed up with Turn to Stone in 2002—a compilation drawn from the band's first three albums—and reissued those albums on CD with digipak packaging in 2005.

Post-2000 Developments

After the release of Sub-Basement, Hasselvander parted ways with Liebling, who then reassembled Pentagram with a fresh roster including Internal Void's Kelly Carmichael on guitar, Adam Heinzmann handling bass, and Mike Smail on drums. This ensemble produced the 2004 album Show 'Em How, which featured seven re-recorded tracks from the 1970s alongside three newly composed songs. In 2006, Relapse Records issued First Daze Here Too, a follow-up compilation containing previously unreleased material. During a Washington, D.C. concert, when Liebling collapsed on stage, Hasselvander and members of the audience stepped in to finish the performance.

In July 2000, former Pentagram members Griffin and Abney established Place of Skulls. Scott "Wino" Weinrich briefly joined them for their 2003 release before dedicating his efforts to The Hidden Hand. Although Abney departed from Place of Skulls in 2002, he made a return in 2007.

Palmer passed away in 2002 due to injuries sustained in a car accident, while McAllister died from cancer in May 2006.

Hank Williams III incorporated Pentagram staples like "Be Forewarned" and "Forever My Queen" into his live performances, with Liebling joining him on stage in 2006. That same year, Liebling also performed Pentagram covers alongside Witchcraft during a show in Washington D.C.

Hasselvander launched his solo endeavor, Hounds of Hasselvander, releasing an album in 2007 that was supported live by Kayt Vigil on bass and former Pentagram drummer Gary Isom. Additionally, Hasselvander contributed to Blue Cheer's 2007 album What Doesn't Kill You. In August 2008, Liebling unveiled a new Pentagram lineup featuring Russ Strahan (guitar), Gary Isom (drums), and Mark Ammen (bass).

In 2009, Pentagram performed concerts in New York City and Baltimore; their New York show was recorded for the documentary Last Days Here. The band then embarked on a seven-date mini-tour including sold-out appearances in Chicago as well as stops in Seattle, Portland, Austin, San Francisco, and West Hollywood. On March 14, 2010, Strahan abruptly left prior to a spring tour; Johnny "Wretched" Koutsioukis briefly took over guitar duties. For the May 2010 tour dates culminating at Maryland Deathfest, Griffin rejoined Liebling, Turley, and Isom—initially just for the tour but remained with the band for nearly three additional years.

Last Days Here Documentary

Last Days Here is a film documenting Bobby Liebling’s battle with substance abuse. As Pentagram’s founding vocalist and songwriter, Liebling’s struggles are explored through interviews with former bandmates, family members, friends, and footage of the band’s 2009 performances. Directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton under 9.14 Pictures, Sundance Selects (a division of IFC Films) secured distribution rights for its theatrical release during winter 2012.

The documentary premiered at the 2011 festival circuit starting with SXSW and received the Grand Jury Prize at the Independent Film Festival of Boston. It also screened in cities such as Chicago, Sarasota, Columbia (Missouri), as well as internationally in Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Australia. At the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in 2011, it won Best Music Documentary.

New Releases and Global Recognition

Metal Blade Records announced in February 2011 that Pentagram would appear at SXSW followed by a European tour beginning April 14 at the Netherlands' Roadburn Festival. The lineup consisted of Griffin on guitar, Turley on bass, and Albert Born on drums; Born was soon replaced by Tim Tomaselli from Place of Skulls.

The April 12, 2011 release Last Rites marked Griffin’s return to studio recordings after more than fifteen years; Turley and Tomaselli also contributed to this album. Sean Saley joined as drummer in June 2012. By the end of that year, Griffin amicably left again; Matt Goldsborough from Philadelphia’s the Great Unknown took over guitar duties in April 2013. Throughout 2012 and 2013, Pentagram toured extensively across both the United States and Europe—including stops in the UK, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, France, Slovenia, Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Griffin returned once more in January 2014 following a one-year hiatus. After his comeback, Pentagram toured the U.S. West Coast during February 2014 with shows in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles. They also played dates in Finland and Sweden in May that year. In February 2015, Pete "Minnesota" Campbell—formerly of Griffin's In-Graved—was announced as the new drummer alongside news of an upcoming album titled Curious Volume, which was released on August 21.

Liebling's legal issues, touring activities, and revamped lineup

In April 2017, Pentagram announced a series of East Coast performances without Bobby Liebling, operating as a trio with Griffin handling vocals, along with Turley and Campbell. At that time, Liebling faced arrest on allegations of first-degree assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult. By October, he admitted guilt to charges related to "abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult custodian" and received an 18-month sentence at Montgomery County Detention Center.

The band reemerged in January 2019, confirming the comeback of vocalist Bobby Liebling and introducing guitarist Matt Goldsborough as Victor Griffin’s replacement. That spring marked their first American tour with Liebling following his incarceration, alongside announcements of an upcoming album. Victor Griffin returned in 2023, performing soon after at the Junkyard venue in Dortmund, Germany. In 2024, bassist Greg Turley declared his exit from the group.

June 2024 saw the unveiling of a fresh lineup featuring Liebling alongside Tony Reed and Scooter Haslip from Mos Generator on guitars and bass, respectively, with Henry Vazquez—known for his work with Saint Vitus, the Skull, Spirit Caravan, and Sourvein—on drums. This formation recorded Lightning in a Bottle, Pentagram’s first studio release in nearly a decade, which was launched on January 31, 2025.

In February 2025, a TikTok video showcasing Liebling’s dynamic stage performance gained widespread attention, enhancing the band's exposure. However, a planned tour across Australia and New Zealand scheduled for August was cancelled in July after feminist organizations in those countries voiced objections due to Liebling’s previous domestic violence convictions.

Current members

  • Bobby Liebling – lead vocals (1971–1977, 1978–1979, 1983–2005, 2008–2017, 2019–present)
  • Tony Reed – guitar (2024–present)
  • Scooter Haslip – bass (2024–present)
  • Henry Vasquez – drums (2024–present)

Former members

Note: Some individuals listed did not serve as full-time members; certain appearances were limited to demos or select live performances.

Guitarists
  • Vincent McAllister (1971–1976; also bass in 1971; deceased 2006)
  • John Jennings (1971; deceased 2015)
  • Randy Palmer (1974–1975, 1988–1989; deceased 2002)
  • Marty Iverson (1976–1977)
  • Richard Kueht (1978–1979)
  • Paul Trowbridge (1978–1979)
  • Norman Lawson (1978–1979)
  • Victor Griffin (1983–1988, 1993–1996, 2010–2012, 2014–2019, 2023–2024; also vocals during 2010–2012, 2014–2019, 2023–2024)
  • Ted Feldman (1988–1989)
  • Greg Reeder (1996)
  • Kelly Carmichael (2003–2005)
  • Russ Strahan (2008–2010)
  • Johnny "Wretched" Koutsioukis (2010)
  • Matt Goldsborough (2013–2014, 2015, 2019–2024)
Bassists
  • Greg Mayne (1971–1976, 1988–1989; deceased 2021)
  • Rick Marinari (1976–1977; deceased 2023)
  • Martin Swaney (1978–1979, 1983–1988, 1993–1995)
  • Vance Bockis (1979; deceased 2012)
  • Greg Turley (1995–1996, 2010–2024)
  • Ned Meloni (1996)
  • Walter White (2001)
  • Adam Heinzmann (2003–2005)
  • Kayt Vigil (2008)
  • Mark Ammen (2008–2010)
Drummers
  • Geof O'Keefe (1971–1977; also played guitar in 1971)
  • Steve Martin (1971)
  • John Ossea (1977; deceased 1989)
  • Joe Hasselvander (1978–1985, 1993–2002; additionally guitar and bass from 1996 to 2002)
  • Stuart Rose (1985–1988; deceased 2016)
  • John Cook (1989)
  • Gary Isom (1995–1996, 2008–2010)
  • Dale Russell (2001)
  • Mike Smail (2003–2005)
  • Albert Born (2011)
  • Tim Tomaselli (2010–2011)
  • Sean Saley (2012–2015)
  • "Minnesota" Pete Campbell (2015–2020, 2021–2024)
  • Ryan Manning (2022, 2024)

Studio albums

Singles and EPs

  • "Be Forewarned" / "Lazy Lady" 7" under the name Macabre (1972, Intermedia Productions)
  • "Hurricane" / "Earth Flight" 7" (1973, Boffo Socko)
  • "Under My Thumb" / "When the Screams Come" 7" (1974, Gemini)
  • "Just A Teaser" / "Just A Teaser" 7" (1976, Megatron Records)
  • "Livin' in a Ram's Head" / "When the Screams Come" 7" (1979, High Voltage Records)
  • "Relentless" / "Day of Reckoning" 7" (1993, Peaceville Records)
  • "Change of Heart" 12" EP (2012, Iron Pegasus Records)
  • "Bang It Out (1971 Rehearsal)" flexi disc (2015, Decibel Flexi Series)
  • "The Singles" 7" (2023, Creep Purple Records)

Live albums

Compilation albums

Compilation appearances

  • "Doctor Please" and "Feather From Your Tree" (covers of Blue Cheer) on Blue Explosion: A Tribute to Blue Cheer (1999, Black Widow Records)
  • "Dancing Madly Backwards (On a Sea of Air)" (covering Captain Beyond) on Thousand Days of Yesterdays: A Tribute to Captain Beyond (1999, Record Heaven Music)
  • "Flaming" (a Pink Floyd cover) on Like Black Holes in the Sky: A Tribute to Syd Barrett (2008, Dwell Records)
  • "Little Games" (cover version of The Yardbirds) on Heavy Nuggets III (15 Gems from the Hard Rock Underground) (2014, Respect Music)
  • "Tomorrow's Dream" (a cover of Black Sabbath) on Sweet Leaf: A Stoner Rock Salute to Black Sabbath (2015, Deadline Music)

DVDs

Bedemon

Originating around 1973 as a Pentagram offshoot, Bedemon derived its name by merging Demon and Behemoth. Randy Palmer and Mike Matthews teamed up with Pentagram members Bobby Liebling and Geof O'Keefe to record Palmer’s compositions including "Child of Darkness," "Serpent Venom," and "Frozen Fear." Palmer later became part of Pentagram and contributed tracks such as "Starlady" and "Touch the Sky." Following Palmer’s exit, Bedemon regrouped in 1979 to lay down songs like "Time Bomb," "Nighttime Killer," along with a piece by O'Keefe. In 1986, a lineup featuring former Pentagram bassist Greg Mayne recorded "Night of the Demon" alongside earlier material.

On May 14, 2015, Bedemon revealed plans for their inaugural live show scheduled for May 15 at Psycho California Festival in Santa Ana, California. The performance included O'Keefe on guitar, Mayne handling bass duties, Frank Hayes on drums, and Scott Weinrich from Saint Vitus providing vocals.

External links

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