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Bloodgood was an American
Christian metal Christian metal, also known as white metal, Jesus metal, or heavenly metal, is heavy metal music distinguished by its Christian-themed song lyrics and the dedication of the band-members to Christianity. Christian metal is typically performed by ...
band that formed in
Seattle, Washington Seattle ( ) is the List of municipalities in Washington, most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the List of Unit ...
, in 1983. By 1988, Bloodgood represented one of the four largest Christian metal bands (excluding the mainstream success of
Stryper Stryper is an American Christian metal and heavy metal music, heavy metal band from La Mirada, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass), and Robert Sweet (musician), ...
) alongside Barren Cross, Leviticus, and Whitecross. 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 Christian rock is a form of rock music that features lyrics focusing on matters of Christian faith, often with an emphasis on Jesus in Christianity, Jesus. This music is typically performed by Christians, Christian individuals. The extent to whi ...
."


Background

The band formed around the leadership of Les Carlsen and Michael Bloodgood, who had been active in the local music scene in Seattle 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 TKO,
Queensrÿche Queensrÿche () is an American progressive metal band. It formed in 1982 in Bellevue, Washington, out of the local band the Mob. The band has released 16 studio albums, one Extended play, EP, and several DVDs, and continues to tour and record ...
, and
Metal Church Metal Church is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in 1980. Originally based in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, they relocated to Aberdeen, Washington the following year and briefly called themselves Shrapnel. Led ...
, 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 1980s
glam metal Glam metal (also known as hair metal or pop metal) is a subgenre of heavy metal music, heavy metal that features pop music, pop-influenced Hook (music), hooks and guitar riffs, upbeat arena rock, rock anthems, and slow Sentimental ballad#Powe ...
bands, but their lyrics were distinctly Christian. Themes often included
Armageddon Armageddon ( ; ; ; from ) is the prophesied gathering of armies for a battle during the end times, according to the Book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Armageddon is variously interpreted as either a literal or a ...
, hope and victory in
Christ Jesus ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Christianity, central figure of Christianity, the M ...
, and the Grace of living in God, with
Biblical The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) biblical languages ...
language throughout. When asked about the influence of
Stryper Stryper is an American Christian metal and heavy metal music, heavy metal band from La Mirada, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass), and Robert Sweet (musician), ...
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 Christian right are Christian political factions characterized by their strong support of socially conservative and traditionalist policies. Christian conservatives seek to influence politics and public policy with their interpretation ...
. 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 Pontius Pilate (; ) was the Roman administration of Judaea (AD 6–135), fifth governor of the Judaea (Roman province), Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official wh ...
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 performed several times a year in the U.S. and Europe until 2022 working with Oz Fox from
Stryper Stryper is an American Christian metal and heavy metal music, heavy metal band from La Mirada, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass), and Robert Sweet (musician), ...
in the newly formed lineup. Michael Bloodgood, the group's bass player and namesake, also released a 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 bandmates Les Carlsen, Oz Fox, Paul Jackson, Mark Welling, and Michael's son, Paul Michael Bloodgood on drums and vocals. Bloodgood was a 2010 Inductee into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. In 2010, ''
HM Magazine ''HM Magazine'' is a monthly, digital and print on demand publication focusing on hard music and alternative culture of interest to Christians. It is based in Houston, Texas. Originally published as ''Heaven's Metal'', it was renamed to ''HM'' in ...
'' listed ''Detonation'' No. 23 on its Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time list stating that it has "quite an original metal sound". It singles-out "Crucify", "Messiah", "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 was senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Redmond, Washington. where guest artists such as long time friend and lead singer, Les Carlsen came and performed, other artists such as Randy Stonehill, Buck Storm and Darrell Mansfield have also made appearances at CCR in Redmond, Washington. Les Carlsen was the lead in the Broadway musical ''Hair''. He performed as a guest vocalist with the American Christian metal band
Tourniquet A tourniquet is a device that is used to apply pressure to a limb or extremity in order to create ischemia or stopping the flow of blood. It may be used in emergencies, in surgery, or in post-operative rehabilitation. A simple tourniquet can ...
on '' Intense Live Series, Vol. 2'' in 1993. Kevin Whisler was in a
Tacoma Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, southwest of Bellevue, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, northwest of Mount ...
-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. A full-length documentary, ''Trenches of Rock'' is currently touring the film festival circuit. Produced by Bloodygood Pictures, the film features exclusive interviews, music and photos, and all of the controversy surrounding the band. Executive producer is James Moll. The official trailer was released in March 2017. A soundtrack is under way to coincide with the documentary's release in late 2017. On October 19, 2013, Bloodgood released the first video, ''Lamb of God'', from ''Dangerously Close''. On July 29, 2022, it was announced on their official
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page that Michael Bloodgood had died due to complications of a hemorrhagic stroke he suffered in February 2022. Two days later, Bloodgood announced its disbanding.


Members

Former * Les Carlsen – lead vocals (1984–1994, 2002–2022) * Michael Bloodgood – bass (1984–1994, 2002–2022; his death) * J.T. Taylor – drums (1984–1986) * David Zaffiro – guitar (1984–1988) * Mark Welling – drums (1986–1989, 1993–1994, 2006–2013) * Paul Jackson – guitar (1989–1994, 2002–2022) * Kevin Whisler – drums (1989–1991, 2013–2021; his death) * David McKay – keyboards (1991–1994, 2002–2007) * Paul Roraback – drums (1991–1993) * Tim Heintz – keyboards (1991) * David Huff – drums (1991) * Jeffrey McCormack – drums (2002–2006) * Oz Fox – guitar (2007–2022) Touring * Craig Church – rhythm guitar (1990) * Michael Feighan – drums (2021–2022) * Kent Walstead – guitar (1992) Timeline


Discography


Studio albums

* ''Bloodgood'' (1986,
Frontline Records Frontline Records was a Christian rock record label, founded in 1986 by James Kempner in Santa Ana, California. The label focused primarily on modern rock, rap, dance-pop and hip-hop. The label closed in the early 1990s, and then resurfaced in ...
) * ''Detonation'' (1987, Frontline Records) * ''Rock In a Hard Place'' (1988, Frontline) * ''Out of the Darkness'' (1989, Intense Records) * ''All Stand Together'' (1991, Broken Records) * ''Dangerously Close'' (2013, B. Goode Records) * ''Trenches of Rock'' Movie Soundtrack (2019, Bloodygood Pictures/B. Goode Records)


Live/video albums

* ''Alive In America: Live Volume One'' (1990, Intense Records) * ''Shakin' the World: Live Volume Two'' (1990, Intense Records) * ''Alive in America: Live Volume One'' (1990, Intense Records, VHS) * ''Shakin' the World: Live Volume Two'' (1990, Intense Records VHS) * ''To Germany With Love!'' (1993; Stephans-Buchhandlung) * ''Bloodgood: Live in Norway'' (2009, DVD of the band's performance at the SeaSide Festival in Norway, 2009) * ''Bloodgood Rock Theater'' (2002, DVD re-issue of Alive in America and Shakin' the World)


Compilation appearances

* ''Hot Metal Summer'' (1988, Benson Records) * ''Hot Metal Summer II'' (1989, Frontline Records)


Compilation

* ''The Collection'' (1991, Intense Records) * ''Metal Missionaries 25th Anniversary Edition'' (2010, B. Goode Records)


Demo

* ''Metal Missionaries'' (1985, self released)


See also

* List of Christian metal artists *
List of glam metal bands and artists The following list of glam metal bands and artists includes bands and artists that have been described as glam metal or its interchangeable terms, hair metal, hair band, pop metal and lite metal by professional journalists at some stage in their ...


References


External links

* *
Bloodgood CD Gallery
{{Authority control American Christian metal musical groups Glam metal musical groups from Washington (state) Heavy metal musical groups from Washington (state) Musical groups established in 1984 1984 establishments in Washington (state) Musical groups disestablished in 1994 Musical groups reestablished in 2006