Origin: USA
Year: 2025
Subgenre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 80.73 An Excellent Piece of Work !
The Players:
Bobby Liebling Vocals
Tony Reed Guitar
Scooter Haslip Bass
Henry Vazquez Drums
Pentagram strikes again ! I was very pleasantly surprised when I threw this disc on, as some of the band’s releases over the last couple of decades have been a bit hit or miss. Bobby Liebling’s vocals are a little strained, but pretty good …….. for a corpse ! Tony Reed does a magnificent job of recreating the classic guitar tone of former guitarist Victor Griffin (I thought at first it was Victor before checking the lineup).
The production is top-notch, the songs are tight and surprisingly melodic, the riffs pop, and the retro guitar tone is killer ! The album starts off with the tight and bouncy Live Again and transitions into the Trouble-esque In The Panic Room, which I felt was the best overall track on the album. The slower doom dirge I Spoke To Death summons the Pentagram of old, while Dull Pain has a medium-paced old school feel to it. The autobiographical Lady Heroin reflects Bobby Liebling's constant struggle with addiction. I'll Certainly See You In Hell is an upbeat and catchy rocker, transitioning into metal-bruiser Thundercrest. Solve the Puzzle is more of the same, solid and consistent. Spread Your Wings is another track that celebrates Bobby's escape from addiction. Lightning In A Bottle is another catchy rocker that depends on dynamics between light and heaviness. The album's heaviest track, Walk The Sociopath, is a slow, churning, doom anthem that perfectly ends the album. The digital version also contains several cool bonus tracks.
I didn't expect much from this album, but I was so wrong. Very solid and enjoyable ! What a comeback album for these perennial doomsters, and especially Bobby, who has truly been through hell and back.
Live Again 85
In The Panic Room 88
I Spoke To Death 78
Dull Pain 82
Lady Heroin 76
I'll Certainly See You In Hell 82
Thundercrest 82
Solve the Puzzle 75
Spread Your Wings 75
Lightning In A Bottle 80
Walk The Sociopath 85
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