The tumultuous private saga of Pentagram mainman Bobby Liebling is one which’s made headlines within the steel press for a few years now. Seemingly by no means in a position to get his private life on monitor, Bobby and firm do, nevertheless, keep it up with the music, albeit with a revolving door of musicians. Now 70 years outdated, Liebling presents us a brand new file with an all new band for 2025.
Liebling is not a fan of the time period “doom steel” to explain Pentagram, nevertheless, it is onerous pressed to not have the time period pop into your head as you take heed to Lightning In A Bottle. This latest LP is, maybe an epic dose of psychedelic, punk-inspired, soiled, nasty heavy steel. Briefly, precisely what you would possibly count on from an act that is been churning out fuzz-laden soundscapes since 1973.
Now that includes producer Tony Reed of Mos Generator who additionally performs guitar, together with bassist Scooter Haslip, additionally of Mos Generator and drummer Henry Vasquez from Saint Vitus and Legions Of Doom, Pentagram places up a formidable 11 track file that’s nothing wanting a modern-day take of the band’s signature sound.
The standout monitor for me is the personable and autobiographical “Girl Heroin.” Sluggish, sludgy and painstakingly sincere, this specific monitor is an have an effect on pushed blues rocker that attracts you deep into Bobby’s personal distinctive trials and tribulations with onerous medicine with lyrics like “I fell into your sport. I obtained myself responsible. Look what you set me by means of.”
“Dwell Once more” is a extra upbeat rocker that kicks off the file. Making a press release that Bobby nonetheless has it, it is traditional Pentagram with a heavy acid sound embedded in steel sensibilities. Related vibes could be discovered on “Within the Panic Room.” The ever-present groove is present in full impact on cuts like “Thundercrest” and the extremely accessible “Clear up the Puzzle.” “I will Definitely See You in Hell” is a galloping bastion of blues and straight forward rock n’ roll majesty. The file concludes with the gradual and dirgy “Stroll the Sociopath” evoking 70’s Black Sabbath and 90’s Cathedral.
Whereas there are various aspects of Liebling which are greater than open to well-deserved criticism and perhaps even disdain, Lightning In A Bottle, by way of the music contained inside is the exemplar of what nice doom steel must be.
