Bloodgood
Encyclopedia
Bloodgood is a Christian metal
band
from Seattle, Washington. Originally formed in 1984 and by 1988 represented one of the four largest Christian metal bands (excluding the mainstream success Stryper
) alongside Barren Cross
, Whitecross
, and Leviticus
.
Bloodgood became known for their "go-for-broke attitude about showmanship," displaying attitudes and imagery that brought them into collision with some on the extreme Christian right. In a 1998 retrospective, Christian music critic Brian Quincy Newcomb would write that "Bloodgood's ministry and music was a vital stepping stone in the maturing process of Christian rock."
, Queensrÿche
, and Metal Church
, but Bloodgood felt a need to represent Christ to that audience, and the band was the natural way to do so.
In 1985 Bloodgood released a demo, Metal Missionaries, of which they sold over 5,000 copies at concerts. Their 1986 eponymous debut was produced by Darrell Mansfield
. While Bloodgood was visually similar to other metal bands at the time, it was distinguished by three elements: the vocals of Les Carlsen, the songwriting of Michael Bloodgood, and the guitar techniques of David Zaffiro. The band's sound was in many ways typical of competent 1980's hair metal bands, but their lyrics were distinctly Christian. Themes often included Armageddon
, hope and victory in Christ
, and the Grace of living in God, with Biblical language throughout. When asked about the influence of Stryper
upon the band, Michael Bloodgood told an interviewer that the band had formed before Stryper became well known, and so they were not a musical influence because they played different styles of metal.
Their first major United States
tour was in 1987 and was protested by groups on the extreme Christian right
. The band was more popular in Europe
than in the United States
and they toured the United Kingdom
in 1988. This tour featured lead vocalist Les Carlsen portraying Pontius Pilate
during the song "Crucify," as well as a graphic, live-action portrayal of Christ being crucified. The band's position on theatrics, as summed up by Carlsen: "Heavy metal lends itself to visuals and drama... They come naturally from the music we write."
from Stryper
in this newly formed lineup. Michael Bloodgood, the group's bass player and namesake, also released a comparatively mellow worship solo album, The Cross Changes Everything, in early 2008, under the name "Michael Bloodgood and friends", featuring the guest talents of other musicians, including fellow band mates Les Carlsen, Oz Fox, Paul Jackson, Mark Welling, and Michael's son, Paul Michael Bloodgood on drums and vocals.
The music industry finally recognized the band's contributions and Bloodgood was a 2010 Inductee into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.
In 2010, HM Magazine listed Detonation No. 23 on its Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time list stating that it has quite an original metal sound. Unforgettable tracks include the back-to-back "Crucify" and "Messiah," but evangelistic fervor meets metal in "Self-Destruction" and the ballad "Alone in Suicide." Heaven's Metal fanzine ranked it No. 8 on its Top 100 Christian metal albums of all time list.
Michael Bloodgood is currently senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Redmond, Washington. Les Carlsen was the lead in the Broadway musical "Hair", and appeared as a guest vocalist on Intense Live Series, Vol. 2
by Tourniquet
. Kevin Whisler was in a Tacoma-based Christian pop-metal band called "Watchmen" before joining Bloodgood. Watchmen released two albums: Fear No Evil in 1988 and Generation in 1990, both on Regency Records
.
Christian metal
Christian metal, also known as white metal, is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Seattle, Washington. Originally formed in 1984 and by 1988 represented one of the four largest Christian metal bands (excluding the mainstream success Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
) alongside Barren Cross
Barren Cross
Barren Cross is a Christian metal band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983 by highschool friends Ray Parris and Steve Whitaker . The band released six albums from 1986 to 1994...
, Whitecross
Whitecross
Whitecross is a Christian metal band that formed in 1985 in Waukegan, IL releasing their first recording in the year 1987. Their early albums, which often invite comparisons to Ratt, are laced with fast, technical guitar work. In 1994, bandleader, primary songwriter and producer Rex Carroll split...
, and Leviticus
Leviticus (band)
Leviticus was a Christian metal band from Sweden. The band formed in 1981 and was led by Bjorn Stigsson. They released four albums before breaking up in 1990.- Background :...
.
Bloodgood became known for their "go-for-broke attitude about showmanship," displaying attitudes and imagery that brought them into collision with some on the extreme Christian right. In a 1998 retrospective, Christian music critic Brian Quincy Newcomb would write that "Bloodgood's ministry and music was a vital stepping stone in the maturing process of Christian rock."
Background
The band formed around the leadership of Michael Bloodgood, who had been active in the local music scene for some time. Directly prior to the formation of Bloodgood, Michael had been involved in a local effort, what he later described as "basic straight-ahead rock." That effort had disbanded by mid 1984 as Michael Bloodgood felt called to build a Christian metal band. The Seattle area at that time was known for metal bands such as TKOTKO (band)
TKO was a hard rock/heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. The group's leader and only consistent member was singer Brad Sinsel. TKO lasted from approximately 1977-2001....
, Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche
thumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton....
, and Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
, but Bloodgood felt a need to represent Christ to that audience, and the band was the natural way to do so.
In 1985 Bloodgood released a demo, Metal Missionaries, of which they sold over 5,000 copies at concerts. Their 1986 eponymous debut was produced by Darrell Mansfield
Darrell Mansfield
Darrell Mansfield is an American gospel/blues musician.-Biography:Mansfield got his musical start in 1974, releasing his first album Gentle Faith in 1976. He later formed the Darrell Mansfield Band...
. While Bloodgood was visually similar to other metal bands at the time, it was distinguished by three elements: the vocals of Les Carlsen, the songwriting of Michael Bloodgood, and the guitar techniques of David Zaffiro. The band's sound was in many ways typical of competent 1980's hair metal bands, but their lyrics were distinctly Christian. Themes often included Armageddon
Armageddon
Armageddon is, according to the Bible, the site of a battle during the end times, variously interpreted as either a literal or symbolic location...
, hope and victory in Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
, and the Grace of living in God, with Biblical language throughout. When asked about the influence of Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
upon the band, Michael Bloodgood told an interviewer that the band had formed before Stryper became well known, and so they were not a musical influence because they played different styles of metal.
Their first major United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tour was in 1987 and was protested by groups on the extreme Christian right
Christian right
Christian right is a term used predominantly in the United States to describe "right-wing" Christian political groups that are characterized by their strong support of socially conservative policies...
. The band was more popular in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
than in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and they toured the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1988. This tour featured lead vocalist Les Carlsen portraying Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilatus , known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate , was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus...
during the song "Crucify," as well as a graphic, live-action portrayal of Christ being crucified. The band's position on theatrics, as summed up by Carlsen: "Heavy metal lends itself to visuals and drama... They come naturally from the music we write."
Present
After five studio albums and three live releases, the group officially disbanded in 1994. The group reformed in 2006 and have been performing several times a year since in the U.S. and Europe. They are currently working with Oz FoxOz Fox
Richard Alfonso Martinez , better known by the stage name Oz Fox, is the lead guitarist of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. Martinez's high school friends called him Oz in honor of Ozzy Osbourne due to his ability to emulate the vocals of Osbourne while playing Black Sabbath covers in his...
from Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
in this newly formed lineup. Michael Bloodgood, the group's bass player and namesake, also released a comparatively mellow worship solo album, The Cross Changes Everything, in early 2008, under the name "Michael Bloodgood and friends", featuring the guest talents of other musicians, including fellow band mates Les Carlsen, Oz Fox, Paul Jackson, Mark Welling, and Michael's son, Paul Michael Bloodgood on drums and vocals.
The music industry finally recognized the band's contributions and Bloodgood was a 2010 Inductee into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.
In 2010, HM Magazine listed Detonation No. 23 on its Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time list stating that it has quite an original metal sound. Unforgettable tracks include the back-to-back "Crucify" and "Messiah," but evangelistic fervor meets metal in "Self-Destruction" and the ballad "Alone in Suicide." Heaven's Metal fanzine ranked it No. 8 on its Top 100 Christian metal albums of all time list.
Michael Bloodgood is currently senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Redmond, Washington. Les Carlsen was the lead in the Broadway musical "Hair", and appeared as a guest vocalist on Intense Live Series, Vol. 2
Intense Live Series, Vol. 2
This short "live in the studio" disc was part of a series that Intense Records put out in the early 90s. Tourniquet was in a transition period during the recording of this disc as they had recently lost their original vocalist and had not yet hooked up with Luke Easter. Guitarist Gary Lenaire took...
by Tourniquet
Tourniquet (band)
Tourniquet is a Christian thrash / heavy metal band that was formed in 1989 by Ted Kirkpatrick, Guy Ritter and Gary Lenaire in Los Angeles, California, USA. They are known for incorporating elements of thrash, neo-classical and progressive metal into their music...
. Kevin Whisler was in a Tacoma-based Christian pop-metal band called "Watchmen" before joining Bloodgood. Watchmen released two albums: Fear No Evil in 1988 and Generation in 1990, both on Regency Records
Regency Records
Regency Records is a record label founded by Georgia record producer and TV/Radiosyndicator Johnny Carter and North Georgia disc jockey Lamar Gravitt in 1965...
.
Discography
- Metal Missionaries (1985, cassette demo)
- Bloodgood (1986, Frontline RecordsFrontline Records (1980s)Frontline Records was a Christian record label founded in 1986 by James Kempner. The label focused primarily on modern rock, rap, and hip-hop...
) - Detonation (1987, Frontline)
- Rock In a Hard Place (1988, Frontline)
- Out of the Darkness (1989, Intense RecordsIntense RecordsIntense Records was an independent record label whose releases were mostly in the metal genre. Intense was bought out in 1989 by Frontline Records and became an imprint of that company...
) - Alive In America: Live Volume One (1990, Intense, live)
- Shakin' the World: Live Volume Two (1990, Intense, live)
- Alive in America: Live Volume One (1990, Intense, live - VHS)
- Shakin' the World: Live Volume Two (1990, Intense, live - VHS)
- All Stand Together (1991, Broken Records)
- The Collection (1991, compilation)
- To Germany With Love! (1993, live; later reissued)
- Bloodgood Rock Theater (2002, DVD re-issue of Alive in America and Shakin' the World)
- Bloodgood: Live in Norway (2009, DVD of the band's performance at the SeaSide Festival in Norway, 2009)
- Metal Missionaries 25th Anniversary Edition (2010, B. Goode Records)
Current
- Michael Bloodgood – Bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Les Carlsen - lead vocals
- Paul Jackson - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(Out of the Darkness, Alive in America, Shakin' the World, All Stand Together, To Germany With Love) - Oz FoxOz FoxRichard Alfonso Martinez , better known by the stage name Oz Fox, is the lead guitarist of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. Martinez's high school friends called him Oz in honor of Ozzy Osbourne due to his ability to emulate the vocals of Osbourne while playing Black Sabbath covers in his...
- guitar - Mark Welling - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(Detonation & Rock In A Hard Place)
Former
- Tim Heintz - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(for-hire studio musician on All Stand Together) - David Huff – drums (for-hire studio musician on All Stand Together)
- David McKay - keyboards (To Germany With Love, toured with band on 1992 U.S. tour)
- J.T. Taylor - drums (Bloodgood)
- Paul Roraback - drums (To Germany With Love)
- Kent Walstead - guitar (toured with band on 1992 U.S. tour)
- Craig Church - guitar (Alive in America & Shakin' the World)
- David ZaffiroDavid Zaffiro-Career:His professional career began as guitarist for the metal band Bloodgood. Though he officially left the band following their third album, he did play various parts on later albums. He then began producing records independently and for others...
- guitars (Bloodgood, Detonation, Rock In a Hard Place) - Kevin Whisler - drums (Out of the Darkness, Alive in America, Shakin' the World)