When you walk into Eastside Bowl, It’s very normal to see a good crowd stretched out along their iconic long bar before the show starts, or just sitting in their diner style booths in order to prepare. But this time the crowd was a little different. Most of them were congregated to one area, and at the center of it all, was the lead singer of Pentagram, Bobby Liebling. At first glance, he just looked like a normal fan of the band. He was wearing his own merch, and just acting very nonchalant. But if you are a fan of the group, you know what the iconic vocalist looks like. Underneath all of that unassuming attitude and look, is a man who has spent decades performing and has made his mark within the music industry.
The first opener was a local Nashville band called Outpost. One way I personally like to describe them is ‘Eldritch bonfire thrash metal’. They embrace this deep imposing sound and each member of the band brings something completely different. Kingston gives the crowd amazing vocals, flawlessly going from fry screams to false cords to even a little lyrical at some points. Their bassist Alyssa brings the energy while also carrying the heavy riffs that you can easily pick out. Even though Brett gets hidden behind the drum kit, he makes sure to interact with anyone he can either by standing up or looking directly at the camera and posing. Bo was the more chill one of the group but the way he played his solos effortlessly were eye catching and quickly caught your ear. Next up was another Nashville local called Waxed. They brought a slightly different sound, and there were moments when the band almost sounded like ‘Rage Against the Machine’. The Obsessed brought a classic gothic metal sound and even though the band has been around longer, their energy and power in playing would fool you. The whole group was singing along with the lead singer and each one moved around the stage in their own way and made it known that they were there to show the younger bands how it’s done.
When it was finally time for Pentagram, the crowd went wild and you could even hear a few younger kids screaming for them. Within the first two songs, a group of younger guys had started multiple little mosh pits within their friend group and the people surrounding them loved it. It was an older crowd so they didn’t get in the mosh but they made sure to encourage the guys which really showed the connection a band can cause during a show. When the third song, a Pentagram classic known as ‘The Ghoul’, started everyone cheered and sang along with the band. Pentagram kept it going but switched to ‘I Spoke to Death’ from their latest album and threw you for a loop when they went back to songs from original albums. Pentagram moved around a lot through their discography during the show but it made for a set that kept you on your toes. You never knew what era you were going to hear next which kept the crowd excited trying to guess what the band would play. The way that Bobby drew in the crowd was something only he could do. The group was more laid back with how much they moved but it fit their aesthetic and the vibe of the rest of the show. Pentagram was clearly missed since their last show here in Nashville and the crowd made sure to let them know that by the way they responded to the setlist. Even though this tour is over, keep an eye out and make sure you buy tickets for the next one. It’s something that you will remember for a while.
- Ashlee Riggins
Photos Courtesy of Ashlee Riggins (For Bell Music Magazine)
