Pentagram – Lightning In A Bottle

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · Published February 21, 2025 · Updated February 21, 2025

The legendary Pentagram formed in 1971 and had ties to Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. They are one of the pioneers of doom and drew their inspiration from Black Sabbath, Sir Lord Baltimore, UFO, Uriah Heap, and Blue Cheer. The bands only original member is vocalist Bobby Liebling. Throughout the seventies, Pentagram recorded a bunch of rehearsal tapes and demos but could never secure a proper recording deal. They went through many different lineup changes throughout that time period and didn’t release their first official album until the mid 80’s. The bands discography of albums includes: 1985’s Relentless, 1987’s Day Of Reckoning, 1994’s Be Forewarned, 1999’s Review Your Choices, 2001’s Sub-Basement, 2001’s First Daze Here: The Vintage Collection, 2004’s Show Em’ How, 2006’s First Daze Here Too, 2011’s Last Rites, and 2015’s Curious Volume. The band also has several live records, compilations, and singles available.

Pentagram has gone through many band members throughout the years but managed to build a cult following in the process. They have signed to Heavy Psych Sounds to release their newest album in almost a decade. Lightening In A Bottle is the name of their latest and it was released on January 31st 2025. The current lineup of Pentagram is Bobby Liebling on vocals, Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere, etc.) on guitar and engineer, Henry Vasquez (Legions of Doom, The Skull, Saint Vitus, Blood of the Sun, etc.) on drums, and Scooter Haslip (Mos Generator, Saltine) on bass. Lightening In A Bottle is officially the tenth studio album and contains eleven tracks, plus three bonus tracks. The deluxe fourteen song edition is around fifty two minutes long and was released on Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

“Live Again” opens up the album with a hard rocker of doom and proto-metal elegance. The music has crunchy and heavy riffing enticed with Bobby Liebling’s trademark vocals. The sound is heavy and Tony Reed lays down some scorching guitar leads also. “Live Again” sends a loud message that Pentagram is back for another go round. “In The Panic Room” drives ahead with more conviction that the band is poised and ready to go. Liebling’s voice sounds as good as it always has and Pentagram has exceeded my expectations with these songs. “I Spoke To Death” has a beautiful old school flow to it and features some killer drum fills from Henry Vasquez. Reed crushes again with his “just right” distorted guitar rhythm sound and exceptional leads. “Dull Pain” plays out with hard rock intensity and flourishes of melodic harmony. Crisp, clear, and full of Pentagram grooves. “Lady Heroin” begins with pounding drumming and then the guitar riffs take form. Some great double bass drumming and clean guitar moments are present during this one. Liebling sings with passion and conviction on this track and I’m sure it’s a difficult topic to weigh up. “I’ll Certainly See You In Hell’ returns exclusively to the mid range rocking fury that Pentagram has been known for.

“Thundercrest” was the band’s first single from Lightning In A Bottle. It’s a great representation of what the album showcases in the hard driven rock platform. The new lineup of Pentagram was essential to this comeback. Reed, Vasquez, and bassist Scooter Haslip are all top quality musicians that pack a mean punch in the execution and creation of this music. The fresh sound and “new blood” of well established song writers was a good move on Liebling to make. Despite his past troubles, Bobby manages to pull this off and restore relevance in this beloved band. “Solve The Puzzle” and “Spread Your Wings” are great tracks that keep the Pentagram train rolling on. The band manages to pay homage to the classic and more obscure seventies bands like Captain Beyond, Sir Lord Baltimore, and the Groundhogs. The sound on these tracks carries the allure of the past but in a modernized version. The title track “Lightening In A Bottle” is an example of the band staying current while keeping their sound rooted in the past.

“Walk The Sociopath” has a slower and doomier element to it. Liebling’s vocals sound a bit haunting in his delivery on this too. It has a nice devastating ending riff before the song fades out. “Start The End” is the beginning of the bonus track portion. It’s a good rocking tune in a more upbeat style than the previous brooding track. “Might Just Wanna Be Your Fool” is next and is also solid. I really enjoy the rocking groove of the music. Liebling’s voice has a tinge of low raspy tone to it, which sounds great for this quick number. Finally, the last bonus track is another version of “Lady Heroin”. It is deemed a pre-edit rough mix, a fitting description to the song. Lightening In A Bottle is a heroic comeback for Pentagram after nearly a ten year hiatus. The band has a fresh release of music that delivers the classic doom style and riff rock that fans, like myself, have come to expect from this legendary band. It is great to have Pentagram back creating new music with such exceptional musicians backing Bobby Liebling and his illustrious vocals.