Last Days Here (2011)

I have to say this documentary blew me away. I knew nothing about the group at all and discovered this film by chance on an international flight. From the first minute the movie caught my attention and drew me into the strange and bizarre world of the lead singer of this heavy metal group, Pentagram.The story was so amazing that at times I began to wonder if I was part of elaborate hoax , a strange black comedy, and that the group did not even exist at all.Anyway it is an incredible story whether it is true or not. It traces the absolute passion of the bands singer and his terrible battle with drugs and himself. I tell you this movie will not get recognised by enough people, because the subject matter is almost brutal at times and almost too real, but this is a tour de force of documentary story-telling without doubt.

This documentary ripped my heart out, stomped on it, glued it back together, put it back in, made it beat again - and Then did that whole procedure all over again! Its raw, its real and its larger than life. Sometimes you come across stories that touches you beyond belief, although you are just an observer you cry and laugh like you yourself is the one going through what you are watching. I love Bobby Liebling now for giving me perspective and strength!At first I was skeptical because I'm not a big rock-fan, but from the very beginning I understood that it was going to be much more than just a music-documentary. In fact, even though the music is the fundamental reason it was made in the first place that is not what moves you or what makes your lips tremble and your skin crawl all at ones. Bobby Liebling has lived in the basement of his parents house for decades. With everyday sitting on his couch either with a crack-pipe in his mouth or a needle in his arm. He believes that termites live underneath his skin and daily he wants to do nothing other than to die. Already this is heartbreaking and you really feel for the sorry bastard. But the fact that at one on point in his life he could have become one of the greats in the rockworld, with his unique voice, understanding for the music genre, with his unbelievable performances on stage and his dedication to rock it only makes it that much sadder. We follow Bobby and his friends who are trying to assemble this broken man to make a new album and with that some sort of comeback. And while this seems like a mission impossible, Bobby really is trying his best to cut the album, but with many setbacks and the fact that Bobby is a junkie, all of everybody's efforts may fall through. But life is full of surprises and sometimes even in the darkest places a little ray of beautiful shining light makes it's way through.This documentary makes you think and reflect on life and how precious and fragile it is. It awakes sympathy and love for people around you. And at least for me it reminded me about the fact to continue to not judge and look down on anybody, because you never know their story and what makes them do what they do. Watch this documentary, it is one of the best!

Folks, I have been in the music business for 20 years now, and up until 4 or 5 albums back, I had no idea who Pentagram was. I had always heard the name, but never heard the music; however when I finally did, I was blown away. An American doom metal band that had been around as long as Black Sabbath, IE The U.S.'s oldest and longest running doom metal band... I remember the "First Days Here" compilation CD on Relapse, and I ALSO remember "Pellet" as he was affectionately known, handing me CD copies of their stuff and helping me do a phone interview with Bobby Liebling. I've interviewed him not once but TWICE, and of course had tears in my eyes when Pentagram FINALLY played a show down here in Atlanta being ever the mysterious and kick ass front man he's always been.It was nice to finally connect a face to the publicist I had dealt with; many times the record label personnel I deal with I never get to meet. Pellet is obviously VERY driven and passionate about his subject, a fact that has driven me to do what I do for 20 years now. It's always amazing to me to see someone that seems to have a magnetic aura about them that draws people in. Sometimes you wonder if the lyrics in Bobby's songs reveal self-fulfilling prophecies, as there are MANY setbacks, disasters and near-death calls for Bobby. The sheer fact that he survived the amount of drugs that would kill TWENTY men half his age is proof positive that this life was DESTINED to be noticed. The settings were very endearing and this isn't some pompous, egotistical rock god (although his earlier band mates have different views on Liebling), and it's very touching to see his thanks and praise for the help he received throughout life. Some would say that if not for Pellet he might no longer be here, which would be an even BIGGER tragedy... Especially with all the metal legends who have passed away recently...(SPOILER ALERT): You KNOW the man has done great things in music when even Phil Anselmo from Pantera, who obviously has sold more records and made more money than Bobby's ever SEEN, gives him extremely high praise. (*END ALERT*) Okay, that may not be a HUGE spoiler, but then again, it is great to see a man who wrote SO many amazing songs finally get his due. And I mean in the early 70's there was this sinister vibe to his heavy, HEAVY music, the man was ahead of his time. And when I first read Bobby's lyrics, I was sure this guy was from Europe, mainly by the way he wrote. Folks, get to know this man and then go out and buy EVERY Pentagram album you can find. He's loved, lost and bounced back, a true testament to the fact that oftentimes when you have hit rock bottom, if you're open and willing, there WILL be help to get you back up...

I often watch previews on I-tunes and when I saw this one and heard the opening chords of forever my queen I just knew I had to find out more. I got seriously hooked on the music and have replayed the album first daze here over and over ever since. I finally got to see the movie and it didn't disappoint. It's a real bummer these guys didn't make it but the story of Bobby Liebling is pretty incredible. I wish I could personally thank Pellet for having the patience and heart to see this through. I think he saved Bobby's life through sheer persistence. If you don't see the movie go get some of the music. it's some of the best metal i've ever heard from that era and it deserves to be mentioned along with the other gods of rock. everything is all wrapped up. nothing more to be said oh no.