Pentagram arrives in Buenos Aires on their ¿final? tour. First show at Uniclub!
Some names behind the Metal scene really help to create the whole scene; aside from names like Black Sabbath in the UK, Pentagram is the American bringer of that sludgy and heavy new sound back in the early 70’s.
They toured for 55 years, with legend Bobby Liebling always leading the band in every new lineup. Now he’s well accompanied by Henry on drums, Scooter on bass, and Tony on guitar.
It seems like a heavy load to carry the Heavy Metal torch for so many years, but Bobby always looks healthier in every new visit, even at 71 years old, and his unmistakable vocals don’t know about time passing.
The band returned to Buenos Aires last August 16th to play another sold-out show at Uniclub, same as last year. Promoters sell this tour as it is the last South American one. So true fans didn’t doubt for a second before getting their tickets to see and hear those tunes one last time being performed live.
They even had to add a second show just weeks before this one; it took place the next day. A private show with limited tickets at a smaller venue: Club Cultural Bula.
But, returning to the show at Uniclub…
The local bands that played the first chords of the afternoon were Sangre de Barro and Herpes, some fan-favourited underground bands that share the same dark and raw vibes that this gig needed.
Minutes after 21.15, the curtains opened, and the whole band was already in their places to receive applause and be cheered for seconds before starting the set. “Live Again” from their latest record “Lightning in a Bottle” was the beginning of the madness, followed by “Starlady”, “The Ghoul” and “I Spoke to Death” (which is already a fan favourite, even having just a year since its release).
Tony’s always like the guy onstage who can’t be still; he’s very charismatic and expressive, and that’s plain to see when he plays a guitar solo, where his face seems to incorporate every note of his playing. And when Bobby puts his side to do the exact thing, and even dance to it, it will always be a highlight of the show.
Scooter is more like the shy dude, standing in the same place from beginning to end, but he can’t help headbanging and smiling while playing every song. And Henry… God, he hits pretty hard on that drumset. He gives his whole energy and strength in every performance, and makes sure that you feel every hit shaking in your body.
The next songs on the setlist were “Sinister”, “When the Screams Come,” and “Sign of the Wolf (Pentagram)”, heading more into the early stuff, but then returning to the newest one with “Dull Pain”.
It felt really nice that after all the meme thing from last year, young boys and girls showed up, demonstrating that this kind of music goes beyond every generation. And if someone said that last year’s show was sold out because of the viral meme. Now mouths were shut with another sold-out show a year after.
“Review Your Choices”, “Thundercrest” and “Walk the Sociopath” were the songs played before going backstage for a short pause before returning for the encore. Of course, you would come back to give more to the audience when everyone’s cheering your name and chanting your band.
The last 2 songs were “Forever My Queen” and “20 Buck Spin”. While Bobby said “thanks” to everyone who showed up, Tony played a sick improvised guitar solo and then threw his guitar to the crowd. It was awesome. And yes, they gave it back (ha ha). That’s an approved test of trusting your fans.
Photos by Eliana Fernandez
Review by Agustín Lopez
Produced Noiseground