Hardline Media has confirmed the upcoming Pentagram Australian & NZ tour has been put on hiatus after frontman Bobby Liebling’s 2017 abuse/neglect of a vulnerable adult charges resurfaced online.
Doom metal band Pentagram’s upcoming Australian and NZ tour has been put on hold by Hardline media today (18 July) after abuse/neglect charges against frontman Bobby Liebling resurfaced online.
The charges, which date back to 2017, saw Liebling handed an 18-month jail sentence (as well as three years of supervised probation after the sentence was served) by a Maryland court in relation to pleading guilty to the abuse/neglect of a vulnerable adult-custodian, according to Metal Hammer. It is believed the victim was Liebling’s mother. At the time, he also pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree assault in relation to the matter.
Anti-violence activist and journalist Sherele Moody – behind Australian Femicide Watch and The RED HEART Campaign – posted earlier today drawing attention to Liebling’s charges and sentencing.
Moody noted that Pentagram’s tour – which was set to start in August – comes “right in the middle of a male violence epidemic.” She encouraged her followers to contact the venues Pentagram was set to play to “express concern, but be respectful.”
At the time, Hardline Media commented on the post, indicating they would have more to say later in the day.
Now, the tour promoter has released a statement confirming Pentagram’s tour will not be going ahead – it’s been put on hiatus.
“Due to the current allegations surrounding the Pentagram Australian/New Zealand Tour – Hardline media have decided to put this tour on hiatus. To be clear, no VISAs have been granted, as has been stated previously by other media. No venues or any staff hitherto are party to these allegations,” the statement says.
“With great respect, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we manage this situation. More information soon. All ticket holders will be contacted directly, as information becomes available.”
At the time of writing, the official Pentagram tour page on the Hardline Media website redirects to a 404 error.
As this story is breaking, we will update further as more information comes to light.
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