Why was Pentagram's 2025 Australian tour cancelled? Reason explained

American doom metal band Pentagram has officially canceled their debut tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The decision follows public backlash over frontman Bobby Liebling's past criminal conviction, which resurfaced ahead of the planned August 2025 tour. Promoter Hardline Media confirmed on July 18, 2025, that the tour was on indefinite hiatus, citing the "current allegations" surrounding Bobby Liebling. Notably, no visas had been approved, nor had any venues confirmed participation.

The announcement came just weeks before the band was scheduled to perform across multiple cities in Australia and New Zealand.

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Lamb Goat reports that, in a now-deleted post, tour promoter Hardline Media stated:

"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. With great respect, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we manage this situation."

Pentagram was formed in Virginia in the early 1970s. The band is a known name in the doom metal scene, alongside beloved acts like Candlemass, Saint Vitus, and Trouble. The group's career spans five decades and nine studio albums.

Pentagram's frontman Bobby Liebling is the only consistent member throughout the band's long history. In recent years, Liebling has seen a relative resurgence of online fame. Most recently, he went viral in early 2025 after TikTok videos captured his live performance style. However, the band's upcoming tour plans have now been derailed.

Pentagram 2025 tour's collapse began with a campaign led by Sherele Moody, journalist and founder of The RED HEART Campaign. On social media, Moody highlighted Liebling's 2017 conviction for abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult, who was identified as his 87-year-old mother.

In a post titled Violent thug to perform in Australia, Moody wrote:

"Australian venues and the government are allowing a man who brutalised his elderly mum to perform here — right in the middle of a male violence epidemic!

The campaign urged followers to write to venues, as well as government officials like Immigration Minister Tony Burke and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Shortly after, Hardline Media issued an official statement to announce the cancellation of Pentagram's 2025 Australian tour.

The company mentioned that all ticket holders would be contacted directly with further information as it becomes available.

Canceled Dates for Pentagram's 2025 Australia and New Zealand Tour

The band's canceled tour was officially slated to kick off in early August 2025. Here are the dates that were originally scheduled before the cancellation: