Bloodlet
Encyclopedia
Bloodlet was an American metalcore
band that formed in Florida
in 1992.
.
Through the Chicago, Illinois-based Victory Records
, the band released their singles in a collection as an album entitled Eclectic. Bloodlet undertook a hectic touring schedule crisscrossing the United States with other metal-oriented hardcore bands (the term "metalcore" had not been coined at that point) like 108
and Coalesce. Rather than using "metalcore" to promote the band, Victory began promoting them as "devil-core" or "evil-core" to emphasize the dark, brooding nature of the music and lyrics.
In March 1996, Bloodlet released their second album for Victory Records, entitled Entheogen. This record contained a shift in vocal sound as well as a new bass style (delivered by member Art Legere's use of a fretless bass) that only added to the band's heavy, metallic sound. Interestingly enough, Aaron Turner
of Hydra Head Records
and Isis
fame produced the album's cover art. With this record out, the band went on to tour the United States with their label mates Deadguy
. They also released a song on the Definitely Not the Majors compilation that would eventually show up on their third album.
By the time the band readied to go into the studio to record their next album, guitarist Jeremy Illges decided to leave Bloodlet. Deciding to continue on as a four-piece, the band recorded and released The Seraphim Fall in 1998. This album featured an even more metallic sound for the group that also showcased longer songs and thicker production. This and their rising popularity scored them a supporting tour for Grip Inc.
, Dave Lombardo
of Slayer
's side project. Bloodlet slowly began to sputter in momentum and eventually splintered apart around 1999.
In 2001, Bloodlet began practicing and writing new material. They made their official return in Syracuse, NY on January 1, 2002. Later that year, the band entered the Electrical Audio
with Steve Albini
and recorded Three Humid Nights in the Cypress Trees. This album showcased a more visceral and stripped-down musical style that was augmented by Albini’s signature production techniques. The band toured for the album and even played Hellfest 2002. Bassist Art Legere left the band shortly after this and was replaced by Thomas Crowther (who was also in Angelacos’ side project Hope and Suicide). Bloodlet went on an informal hiatus in 2003.
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
band that formed in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1992.
History
Forming in 1992, from the ashes of local Central Florida straight edge hardcore band, Solid Answer. As a five-piece band, Bloodlet started quickly by releasing two seven-inch singles in 1993. Even though the fledgling band suffered through some tumultuous line-up shuffling, the band played many shows. The release of their Shell seven-inch in 1994 signaled the introduction of new drummer Charlie King. His drumming style would set the rhythmic sound and style of the band apart from many other hardcore bands at the time. Bloodlet began touring on these singles and garnered the attention of a then growing Victory RecordsVictory Records
Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
.
Through the Chicago, Illinois-based Victory Records
Victory Records
Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
, the band released their singles in a collection as an album entitled Eclectic. Bloodlet undertook a hectic touring schedule crisscrossing the United States with other metal-oriented hardcore bands (the term "metalcore" had not been coined at that point) like 108
108 (band)
108 is an American hardcore band founded in 1991. Their music reflected the Hare Krishna faith of its members. Their name comes from the number of beads on the Japa mala, or mantra counting beads.- History :...
and Coalesce. Rather than using "metalcore" to promote the band, Victory began promoting them as "devil-core" or "evil-core" to emphasize the dark, brooding nature of the music and lyrics.
In March 1996, Bloodlet released their second album for Victory Records, entitled Entheogen. This record contained a shift in vocal sound as well as a new bass style (delivered by member Art Legere's use of a fretless bass) that only added to the band's heavy, metallic sound. Interestingly enough, Aaron Turner
Aaron Turner
Aaron Turner is a musician, singer, graphic artist, and founder of label Hydra Head Records. He is most widely known for his role as guitarist and vocalist for the post-metal band Isis, while also participating in several other bands and projects such as Old Man Gloom and Lotus Eaters.Though raised...
of Hydra Head Records
Hydra Head Records
Hydra Head Records is an independent record label which specializes in heavy metal music, founded in New Mexico by Aaron Turner in 1993...
and Isis
Isis (band)
Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010...
fame produced the album's cover art. With this record out, the band went on to tour the United States with their label mates Deadguy
Deadguy
Deadguy was a metalcore band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.-History:Formed in 1994, Deadguy took inspiration from bands like Unsane and Today is the Day. The band took their name from a line in the John Candy movie, Only the Lonely,...
. They also released a song on the Definitely Not the Majors compilation that would eventually show up on their third album.
By the time the band readied to go into the studio to record their next album, guitarist Jeremy Illges decided to leave Bloodlet. Deciding to continue on as a four-piece, the band recorded and released The Seraphim Fall in 1998. This album featured an even more metallic sound for the group that also showcased longer songs and thicker production. This and their rising popularity scored them a supporting tour for Grip Inc.
Grip Inc.
Grip Inc. is a groove metal band and a side project of drummer Dave Lombardo. The band was formed in 1993, and they are currently signed to SPV Records...
, Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo is a Cuban American heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American thrash metal band Slayer. He has performed with Slayer on seven albums, including their groundbreaking 1986 release Reign In Blood and their 2006 release Christ Illusion, for which he received critical praise...
of Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
's side project. Bloodlet slowly began to sputter in momentum and eventually splintered apart around 1999.
In 2001, Bloodlet began practicing and writing new material. They made their official return in Syracuse, NY on January 1, 2002. Later that year, the band entered the Electrical Audio
Electrical Audio
Electrical Audio is a recording facility founded in Chicago, Illinois by musician and recording engineer Steve Albini in 1997. Hundreds of independent music projects have been recorded there....
with Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
and recorded Three Humid Nights in the Cypress Trees. This album showcased a more visceral and stripped-down musical style that was augmented by Albini’s signature production techniques. The band toured for the album and even played Hellfest 2002. Bassist Art Legere left the band shortly after this and was replaced by Thomas Crowther (who was also in Angelacos’ side project Hope and Suicide). Bloodlet went on an informal hiatus in 2003.
Members
- Scott Angelacos - vocals (1992-c.1999 & c.2001-2003, also in Hope and Suicide)
- Matt Easley - guitar (1992-c.1999 & c.2001-2003)
- Thomas Crowther - bass (c.2002-2003, also in Hope and Suicide)
- John Stewart, Jr - drums (2001–2003)
- Art Legere - bass (c.1995-c.1999 & 2001-c.2002)
- Jeremy Illges - guitar (1992-c.1997)
- Charlie King - drums (c.1993-c.1999)
- Tyler Gray - bass (c.1994-c.1995)
- Keith Dalrymple - bass (1993–1994)
- Shane Mills - drums (1992–1993)
- Seth Hallman - bass (1992–1993)
Singles
- Sustenance 7" (SmorgasbordSmorgasbord RecordsSmorgasbord Records is a metalcore record label out of Milford, Connecticut. It also releases other forms of indie music as well.Smorgasbord Records started out as Smorgasbord fanzine in 1986 by a hardcore fan named Chris Daily from Stamford CT...
, 1993) - Husk 7" (Structure Records, 1993)
- Shell 7" (Stability Records, 1994)
- Live at CBGBs 7"
Albums
- Eclectic (Victory RecordsVictory RecordsVictory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
, 1995) - Entheogen (Victory RecordsVictory RecordsVictory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
, 1996) - The Seraphim Fall (Victory RecordsVictory RecordsVictory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
, 1998) - Three Humid Nights in the Cypress Trees (Victory RecordsVictory RecordsVictory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
, 2002)
Filmography
- Release (VHS/DVD, 1998)
- Victory Video Collection (VHS/DVD, 2001)
- Victory Video Collection 2002 (DVD, 2002)
- Hellfest 2002 (DVD 2003)