Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Pentagram (USA) - Lightning in a Bottle (2025)

After over five decades of drugs, crime and doom, Bobby Liebling returns with a whole new line up, some ten years after Pentagram's last album.  Although I do not follow Pentagram releases, (in fact, I lost track right after their self-titled debut if I am honest) something about that vibrant artwork caught my eye and I thought to myself that if the content of the album was anywhere near as focused as the cover art then this could be a real treat.  As it turns out, I am more than half correct.  There are some absolute bangers on this record.  Although I had not caught any of them as singles the three tracks that came out prior to the album release are all strongly written affairs.  The opening track, Live Again certainly lives up to its billing as with the new line up in full flow, Pentagram sound just as good now as they did forty or fifty years ago.

Touching on psychedelia, stoner rock, hard rock and classic rock alongside the more doom-laden side to proceedings Lightning in a Bottle is actually quite a varied affair.  Full of lyrical absurdities ("I spoke to Death last night, he wore a nightmare gown, and when I spoke your name, he turned his eyes down to the ground" - from "I Spoke to Death") and widdling solos, all performed to a backdrop of solid and consistent percussion, I found this record way more interesting than I expected.  The artists Bobby has recruited might have their moments of mistiming here and there (which somehow is just acceptable) but overall they have put together eleven consistent tracks.  Unafraid to play with pace and tempo, the band create a distinct feeling of balance over the album.  Starting off with the previously praised opening track, Live Again and then closing the album with the deliciously doomy Walk the Sociopath, Pentagram have managed to achieve a complete album experience here.

Whilst not flawless, all the tracks belong here and bring something unique to the table.  Whether it is the spiralling, fuzzy chaos of Lady Heroin or the solid and direct punch of Thundercrest, most tracks leave a mark for me as I have listened through the album a few times today.  Above all else, I am impressed with how good Liebling sounds.  The guy is 71 for fuck's sake!  On here he puts in a shift that belies any stereotypes linked to his age.  Energetic, reflective and even outright thoughtful, Liebling gives a truly stellar showing here.  Props also to guitarist Tony Reed who manages to mark his own identity on the record whilst still somehow staying true to the Pentagram sound at the same time. The bonus tracks on the digital version are not essential and of the main listing I can genuinely only call out I'll Certainly See You In Hell and Solve the Puzzle as being the items that should have been left on the cutting room floor.