American doom metal band Pentagram have called off their planned first-ever Australia and New Zealand tour.
The string of shows was set to kick off next month, with shows scheduled in major cities such as Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland.
However, promoter Hardline Media have now put the tour “on hiatus”, saying in a statement this is “due to the current allegations”, though no specific situation is mentioned.
“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,” their statement read, per Rolling Stone Australia.
“With great respect, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we manage this situation,” they added. “All ticket holders will be contacted directly, as information becomes available.”
NME have reached out to Pentagram for comment.
The cancellation comes after Australian journalist and activist Sherele Moody and her The RED HEART Campaign – an organisation which aims to honour “women and children lost to violence” – publicly highlighted frontman Bobby Liebling’s 2017 conviction for abusing a vulnerable adult, stemming from a violent attack on his 87-year-old mother.
Liebling was charged with first-degree assault and physical abuse of a vulnerable adult and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years’ probation for the crime. Liebling pleaded guilty to abuse and neglect, but maintained innocence on the assault charge.
At the time, Pentagram toured without him, citing “circumstances that are beyond anyone’s control, that are a direct result of Bobby Liebling’s personal actions.”
Opening acts for the band, including Wax Idols and King Woman, had previously dropped out of the tour at the time, citing inappropriate comments from Liebling.
Liebling co-founded Pentagram in 1971, and has remained the group’s sole original member throughout their history, performing on all nine of their studio records.
