Blood Has Been Shed
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 in Granby, Connecticut, United States |
| Headquarters | Granby, Connecticut , United States |
| Products | Studio albums: I Dwell on Thoughts of You (1998), Novella of Uriel (2001), Spirals (2003) |
| Website | https://myspace.com/bloodhasbeenshed |
Blood Has Been Shed was a metalcore band hailing from Granby, Connecticut, established in 1997. The lineup included musicians associated with prominent groups such as Killswitch Engage, Diecast, Light the Torch, Terror, Bury Your Dead, and The Acacia Strain. Their discography comprises three studio albums: I Dwell on Thoughts of You (1998), Novella of Uriel (2001), and Spirals (2003), released through Ferret Music and Roadrunner Records. The band was a regular presence at significant metal events including Hellfest and the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival.
Though the group never officially broke up, they have not been active since 2005, with no live performances following April of that year and no new material after the October 2005 Japanese release of the double album Spirals/Novella of Uriel. This prolonged hiatus is primarily due to members’ involvement with Killswitch Engage.
Despite multiple announcements about reunions and forthcoming projects over the years, none have come to fruition.
History
Blood Has Been Shed's roots trace back to Release, a band formed in Columbus, Ohio, in 1993. The group moved to Granby, Connecticut, in 1995 and adopted the name Driven. In 1996, Driven independently issued a sixteen-track cassette album, with one song later appearing on a split 7-inch vinyl released by Solution Records in early 1997.
Following the departure of Driven’s drummer in late 1996, the members initiated a side project called Veiled, with bassist John Lynch transitioning to drums. By late 1997, Driven and Veiled combined forces under the new moniker Blood Has Been Shed, making their live debut on February 28, 1998, in Meriden, Connecticut.
Their first album, I Dwell on Thoughts of You, was self-released during summer 1998 and subsequently distributed by Very Distribution and Ferret Music. A significant early milestone was opening for death metal act Nile in April 1999. After some lineup shifts, Richard Thurston joined on bass and played on their sophomore album Novella of Uriel. Thurston later moved to guitar before leaving; Joseph Krewko then took over bass duties while Daniel Daponde joined as guitarist. The band toured alongside Killswitch Engage in summer 2000.
Ferret Music released Novella of Uriel on February 7, 2001. Throughout 2001–2002, Blood Has Been Shed toured extensively with acts such as Killswitch Engage, Twelve Tribes, Every Time I Die, Martyr A.D., and Eighteen Visions. They performed on Hellfest’s Second Stage in 2001.
In September 2001, Justin Foley became the drummer as John Lynch returned to bass. The band started recording an EP intended for early 2002 release but ultimately shelved it. April 2002 saw them touring with Poison the Well, American Nightmare, and From Autumn to Ashes.
June 2002 marked vocalist Howard Jones joining Killswitch Engage while maintaining his role in Blood Has Been Shed. Both bands appeared at Hellfest that year. Due to Killswitch Engage’s intense schedule and commitments with Roadrunner Records, Blood Has Been Shed’s activities slowed down. During this time, Corey Unger composed much of their third album Spirals.
Spirals was issued by Ferret Music on June 27, 2003. The band toured intermittently with Shadows Fall, God Forbid, Walls of Jericho, and Full Blown Chaos when possible. They took part in Hellfest 2K3 and filmed a music video for "She Speaks to Me" in October 2003. Shortly afterward, Justin Foley joined Killswitch Engage as their drummer prior to recording The End of Heartache. The video debuted on Fuse’s Uranium in January 2004 and was later featured on Roadrunner Records’ compilation DVD Roadrage 2005.
In January 2004, Ferret Music licensed Spirals to Roadrunner Records for distribution in the UK. Its release was postponed until Blood Has Been Shed could tour there; eventually it was reissued as a double album combining Spirals with Novella of Uriel. This edition came out on April 4, 2005 with refreshed artwork. The band played at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival that month—their last live appearance.
A planned UK mini-tour for September 2005 was canceled due to scheduling conflicts with Killswitch Engage despite no confirmed shows for that period by Killswitch Engage. On October 12, 2005 Roadrunner Records released the double album in Japan alongside remastered reissues of Killswitch Engage’s catalog as part of a promotional campaign linked to Killswitch’s Taste of Chaos Tour.
While Blood Has Been Shed never formally dissolved, they have remained dormant since then.
Band lineup
Last lineup
- Howard Jones – lead vocals
- Corey Unger – lead guitar, backing vocals, rhythm guitar
- John Lynch – bass, drums
- Justin Foley – drums
Previous members
- Shane Uras – drums
- Chris Alibrio – bass guitar
- Todd Beaton – rhythm guitar
- Samson Contompasis – bass guitar
- Richard Thurston – bass guitar, rhythm guitar
- Joseph Krewko – bass guitar
- Daniel Daponde – rhythm guitar, bass guitar
- Dave Sharpe – rhythm guitar
- David Sroka – rhythm guitar
- Brendan MacDonald – rhythm guitar
- Josh Venn – rhythm guitar
Member timeline
Studio releases
- I Dwell on Thoughts of You (1998)
- Novella of Uriel (2001)
- Spirals (2003)
Compilation releases
- Spirals/Novella of Uriel (2005)
Singles
- "She Speaks to Me" (2004)
External links
- Articles with short description
- American mathcore musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1997
- Musical groups disestablished in 2004
- Musical groups reestablished in 2012
- American musical quartets
- Heavy metal musical groups from Connecticut
- Ferret Music artists
- Metalcore musical groups from Connecticut
- 1997 establishments in Connecticut