Pioneering doom metal band Pentagram has placed its debut tour of Australia and New Zealand on hold following public backlash centered on frontman Bobby Liebling's criminal history.
The controversy was sparked by The Red Heart Campaign, an Australian organization dedicated to reporting violence against women and children, which drew attention to Liebling's 2017 conviction in Maryland for the abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult — his elderly mother, in this case. Liebling was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of mistreating her while acting as her caregiver.
Last week, The Red Heart Campaign posted a call to action across social media, urging the public to oppose Liebling's presence in Australia. The group labeled the tour under the headline "Violent thug to perform in Australia" and criticized the decision to allow a man convicted of elder abuse to perform publicly amid what they described as a national epidemic of male violence. The campaign encouraged supporters to contact local venues, Immigration Minister Tony Burke, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to voice their concerns.
In response to the growing backlash, Hardline Media — the company promoting the tour — announced that all shows were being placed on hiatus. In an official statement, the promoter said: "Due to the current allegations surrounding the Pentagram Australian/New Zealand Tour, Hardline Media have decided to put this tour on hiatus. With great respect, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we manage this situation."
Ticket holders were also notified of the tour's indefinite pause, with Hardline Media citing "unforeseen recent changes in travel restrictions" as contributing factors. "This unfortunate turn of events is totally beyond the control of the group, promotion, and our management," read the message to fans. "At this time, we can only offer our sincerest thanks to the fans, and we regret not being able to perform these shows."
Liebling's legal issues are not the only blemish on Pentagram's reputation. In 2016, Bay Area bands Wax Idols and King Woman dropped off a scheduled tour with Pentagram. Both frontwomen, Hether Fortune and Kristina Esfandiari, later alleged that they had been "harassed in gross ways" while on the road, further fueling concerns about Liebling's behavior in professional settings.
Earlier this year, Pentagram saw an unexpected resurgence in attention when a video clip of Bobby Liebling's wild-eyed performance style went viral on social media. The footage introduced the doom metal veterans to a new wave of fans, many of whom were unfamiliar with the band's legacy or Liebling. Formed in the early 1970s, Pentagram is widely considered one of the foundational acts of doom metal, a genre characterized by slow tempos and dark lyrical themes.
So y'know – it's been a real rollercoaster lately for Pentagram lately.
