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Bloodgood

From Alfawiki
Bloodgood
Company typePrivate
IndustryMusic
Founded1983 in Seattle, Washington, United States
FounderMichael Bloodgood, Les Carlsen
Headquarters
Seattle
,
United States
Area served
United States, Europe
Key people
Les Carlsen (lead vocals), Michael Bloodgood (bass guitar; deceased), Oz Fox (guitar)
ProductsMusic albums, live performances
Websitewww.bloodgood.com

Bloodgood is a Christian metal group from the United States that originated in Seattle, Washington, in 1983. By the year 1988, Bloodgood had established itself as one of the top four Christian metal bands, alongside Barren Cross, Leviticus, and Whitecross, excluding the mainstream success of Stryper.

The band became known for their daring stage performances, which occasionally sparked controversy with factions of the conservative Christian right. In a 1998 review, critic Brian Quincy Newcomb recognized Bloodgood's musical and ministry efforts as an important milestone in the evolution of Christian rock.

Background

Under the leadership of Les Carlsen and Michael Bloodgood, the band was formed amid Seattle's vibrant metal community. Before establishing Bloodgood, Michael participated in a straightforward rock group that dissolved around mid-1984. This led him to create a Christian metal band aimed at reaching local metal fans, who were also followers of acts like TKO, Queensrÿche, and Metal Church.

In 1985, Bloodgood independently released the demo Metal Missionaries, which sold more than 5,000 copies during live shows. Their self-titled debut album arrived in 1986 with production by Darrell Mansfield. The band distinguished itself through Les Carlsen’s vocal delivery, Michael Bloodgood’s songwriting craftsmanship, and David Zaffiro’s guitar contributions. Musically, their style fit within the 1980s glam metal genre but stood out for its overtly Christian lyrical themes centered on topics such as Armageddon, faith in Christ, and divine grace. Michael Bloodgood noted that their formation predated Stryper's breakthrough and that their musical approach was distinct.

Bloodgood embarked on their first extensive U.S. tour in 1987, encountering opposition from radical groups within the Christian right. The band achieved greater acclaim across Europe, including a UK tour in 1988. This tour featured dramatic stagecraft, with lead singer Les Carlsen portraying Pontius Pilate during performances of "Crucify" and incorporating a live crucifixion reenactment. Carlsen described their theatrical style by stating: "Heavy metal lends itself to visuals and drama... They come naturally from the music we write."

Present

Following five studio albums and three live records, Bloodgood disbanded in 1994 but reunited in 2006. They continued performing regularly across both the United States and Europe until 2022, with Oz Fox from Stryper joining their lineup. In 2008, Michael Bloodgood released a worship-focused solo album titled The Cross Changes Everything under the name "Michael Bloodgood and Friends," featuring collaborations with band members Les Carlsen, Oz Fox, Paul Jackson, Mark Welling, and his son Paul Michael Bloodgood.

In 2010, Bloodgood was honored with induction into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

That same year, HM Magazine placed their album Detonation at No. 23 on its list of the Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time, praising its authentic metal sound and standout tracks like "Crucify," "Messiah," "Self-Destruction," and "Alone in Suicide." Additionally, Heaven's Metal fanzine ranked it No. 8 among the Top 100 Christian metal albums.

Michael Bloodgood also served as senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Redmond in Washington state. During his tenure, guest performances were hosted by artists such as Les Carlsen, Randy Stonehill, Buck Storm, and Darrell Mansfield.

Les Carlsen took on a leading role in the Broadway production of Hair and contributed guest vocals for Christian metal band Tourniquet on their Intense Live Series, Vol. 2 (1993). Kevin Whisler joined Bloodgood after previously playing with Tacoma-based Christian pop-metal group Watchmen, which released two albums—Fear No Evil (1988) and Generation (1990)—through Regency Records.

The documentary Trenches of Rock, created by Bloodygood Pictures with executive producer James Moll, chronicles the band's journey through interviews and music while addressing related controversies. Its trailer premiered in March 2017 alongside plans to release a soundtrack concurrent with the film.

On October 19, 2013, Bloodgood unveiled the music video for "Lamb of God" from their album Dangerously Close.

Tragically, on July 29, 2022, Michael Bloodgood passed away due to complications following a hemorrhagic stroke earlier that year. Two days afterward, Bloodgood announced via their official Facebook page that they would be disbanding.

Members

Past

  • Les Carlsen – lead vocals (1984–1994, 2002–2022)
  • Michael Bloodgood – bass guitar (1984–1994, 2002–2022; deceased)
  • 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; deceased)
  • 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 musicians

  • Craig Church – rhythm guitar (1990)
  • Michael Feighan – drums (2021–2022)
  • Kent Walstead – guitar (1992)

Timeline [1] [2]

Studio albums

  • Bloodgood (1986, Frontline Records)
  • Detonation (1987, Frontline Records)
  • Rock In a Hard Place (1988, Frontline Records)
  • 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 and video releases

  • Alive In America: Live Volume One (1990, Intense Records; also issued on VHS)
  • Shakin' the World: Live Volume Two (1990, Intense Records; also available on VHS)
  • To Germany With Love! (1993, Stephans-Buchhandlung)
  • Bloodgood: Live in Norway (2009, DVD capturing SeaSide Festival performance)
  • Bloodgood Rock Theater (2002, DVD re-release combining Alive in America and Shakin' the World)

Compilation contributions

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

Compilation albums

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

Demo recording

  • Metal Missionaries (1985, self-produced release)

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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