Pentagram (band)

Pentagram
Bobby Liebling of Pentagram
Background information
Origin	Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Genres	Heavy metal, doom metal
Years active	1971–present
Labels	Metal Blade, Season Of Mist, Peaceville, Black Widow, Relapse
Associated acts	Deathrow, Place of Skulls, Internal Void, Spirit Caravan, Unorthodox, Wretched, Valkyrie
Website	www.pentagramofficial.com
Members	Bobby Liebling Victor Griffin Greg Turley "Minnesota" Pete Campbell
Past members	See "Personnel"

Pentagram is an American heavy metal band from Alexandria, Virginia, most famous as one of the pioneers of heavy metal, and the subgenre of doom metal in particular. The band was prolific in the underground scene of the 1970s, producing many demos and rehearsal tapes, but did not release a full-length album until reforming in the early 1980s with an almost completely new lineup. Throughout the band's history the only constant member has been vocalist Bobby Liebling. The revolving lineup of Pentagram has featured many well respected musicians in the local doom metal scene, with members spending time in other acts such as Raven, The Obsessed, Place of Skulls, Internal Void, Spirit Caravan, among many others.

In 1971, Liebling and Geof O’Keefe decided to leave their previous bands (Shades of Darkness and Space Meat, respectively) to form a new band that reflected their interest in emerging metal acts such as UFO, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep and Sir Lord Baltimore. At Liebling’s suggestion, the group was named Pentagram, a name that reflected the gloomy subject matter of their material. Although the band would change its name several times during 1971 and 1972 (Virgin Death, Macabre, and Wicked Angel were all considered during this period), they would eventually (and permanently) return to Pentagram. Contrary to popular belief, they were never called Stonebunny; this was the name given to Space Meat when Bobby Liebling joined them briefly.

During their five-year career, they were represented by seven different managers, including Gordon Fletcher, a Washington D.C. rock journalist who wrote for magazines such as Rolling Stone, Creem and Circus. The others were Steve Lorber, Phillip Knudsen, Skip Groff, Bob Fowler, Tim Kidwell and Tom McGuire.