Folks, I have been in the music business for 20 years now, and up until 4 or 5 albums back, I had no idea who Pentagram was. I had always heard the name, but never heard the music; however when I finally did, I was blown away. An American doom metal band that had been around as long as Black Sabbath, IE The U.S.'s oldest and longest running doom metal band... I remember the "First Days Here" compilation CD on Relapse, and I ALSO remember "Pellet" as he was affectionately known, handing me CD copies of their stuff and helping me do a phone interview with Bobby Liebling. I've interviewed him not once but TWICE, and of course had tears in my eyes when Pentagram FINALLY played a show down here in Atlanta being ever the mysterious and kick ass front man he's always been.
It was nice to finally connect a face to the publicist I had dealt with; many times the record label personnel I deal with I never get to meet. Pellet is obviously VERY driven and passionate about his subject, a fact that has driven me to do what I do for 20 years now. It's always amazing to me to see someone that seems to have a magnetic aura about them that draws people in. Sometimes you wonder if the lyrics in Bobby's songs reveal self-fulfilling prophecies, as there are MANY setbacks, disasters and near-death calls for Bobby. The sheer fact that he survived the amount of drugs that would kill TWENTY men half his age is proof positive that this life was DESTINED to be noticed. The settings were very endearing and this isn't some pompous, egotistical rock god (although his earlier band mates have different views on Liebling), and it's very touching to see his thanks and praise for the help he received throughout life. Some would say that if not for Pellet he might no longer be here, which would be an even BIGGER tragedy... Especially with all the metal legends who have passed away recently...
(SPOILER ALERT): You KNOW the man has done great things in music when even Phil Anselmo from Pantera, who obviously has sold more records and made more money than Bobby's ever SEEN, gives him extremely high praise. (*END ALERT*)
Okay, that may not be a HUGE spoiler, but then again, it is great to see a man who wrote SO many amazing songs finally get his due. And I mean in the early 70's there was this sinister vibe to his heavy, HEAVY music, the man was ahead of his time. And when I first read Bobby's lyrics, I was sure this guy was from Europe, mainly by the way he wrote. Folks, get to know this man and then go out and buy EVERY Pentagram album you can find. He's loved, lost and bounced back, a true testament to the fact that oftentimes when you have hit rock bottom, if you're open and willing, there WILL be help to get you back up...
It was nice to finally connect a face to the publicist I had dealt with; many times the record label personnel I deal with I never get to meet. Pellet is obviously VERY driven and passionate about his subject, a fact that has driven me to do what I do for 20 years now. It's always amazing to me to see someone that seems to have a magnetic aura about them that draws people in. Sometimes you wonder if the lyrics in Bobby's songs reveal self-fulfilling prophecies, as there are MANY setbacks, disasters and near-death calls for Bobby. The sheer fact that he survived the amount of drugs that would kill TWENTY men half his age is proof positive that this life was DESTINED to be noticed. The settings were very endearing and this isn't some pompous, egotistical rock god (although his earlier band mates have different views on Liebling), and it's very touching to see his thanks and praise for the help he received throughout life. Some would say that if not for Pellet he might no longer be here, which would be an even BIGGER tragedy... Especially with all the metal legends who have passed away recently...
(SPOILER ALERT): You KNOW the man has done great things in music when even Phil Anselmo from Pantera, who obviously has sold more records and made more money than Bobby's ever SEEN, gives him extremely high praise. (*END ALERT*)
Okay, that may not be a HUGE spoiler, but then again, it is great to see a man who wrote SO many amazing songs finally get his due. And I mean in the early 70's there was this sinister vibe to his heavy, HEAVY music, the man was ahead of his time. And when I first read Bobby's lyrics, I was sure this guy was from Europe, mainly by the way he wrote. Folks, get to know this man and then go out and buy EVERY Pentagram album you can find. He's loved, lost and bounced back, a true testament to the fact that oftentimes when you have hit rock bottom, if you're open and willing, there WILL be help to get you back up...