Curious Volume

As we wrap up the year and come around the bend into the next, I've decided to skip the champagne and all the hoopla and simply take the time to celebrate one of my preferred 2015 releases, Pentagram's tour-DE-force Curious Volume. Bobby Liebling, supported by a line-up as solid as ever, has pulled out his trump card with this one and proven you can't keep a good man down! (or band for that matter). This is undoubtedly Pentagram's strongest performance since Show 'Em How ('04), despite still having come a long way with Last Rites ('11).

Aside from the addition of a new drummer, Pete Campbell, the band remains comprised of Liebling on vocals as always, long time member Victor Griffin on the guitar, and Greg Turley on bass, once again filling Greg Mayne's shoes nicely.

What really stands out this time around is the fact they only cover one 70s era track, Earth Flight, and present their faithful following with a cornucopia of fresh new songs, all winners from the opener "Lay Down And Die" to the closing "Because I Made It" in which Campbell cleverly displays some Bill Ward style drumming . As well, I can't help but notice how smoothly they pulled off blending the band's early 70s sound with the heaviness of its Death Row days.

Bobby Liebling's signature swagger is clearly discerned throughout the album and at times, replaced by his mellow, reflective side, such as during the bridge on "Close The Casket", right before the song truly takes off as Griffin seals the deal with his trademark brand of fire & brimstone riffing. You've got to love the chorus too: "The black passed away and now my night is day/ I close the casket on the old man's ways/ And now I see through the eyes that were blind/ And close the casket as the old man dies." I shall make this my funeral song.

With "Misunderstood", Liebling and company go for a rockabilly feel and succeed with its 50's style soloing and bass playing. As it is, there aren't any lackluster pieces on this release nor are tracks repetitive in any way. On the other hand, "The Tempter Push" dominates with the laid back doom & gloom stride Pentagram fans have grown to embrace and expect.

This is also Victor Griffin's strongest performance since his work on the first two Place Of Skulls albums. Also, it's not enough to simply acquire this album. If you're new to Pentagram or a long-time follower, I highly recommend watching the "Last Daze Here" rock-u-mentary which follows Bobby Liebling's rise from the ashes of the sub-basement to his redemption and acclaimed return to the doom metal community. His outstanding recovery is graciously upheld by Curious Volume. Surely, it goes above and beyond to represent the Pentagram we've grown to love and respect.