Dead Jesus
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Edmonton , Canada |
| Products | Melodic death metal music, albums, EPs, demos |
Dead Jesus was a melodic death metal group originating from Edmonton, Canada, established in 1998. The band gained notoriety for their shocking stage performances that incorporated blood and entrails, while their name symbolized the conviction that institutionalized religion obstructs human advancement. Their concluding concert took place on Easter Sunday, 2011, in Coaldale, Alberta.
When Your Soul Is The Sickness
Formed in 1998, Dead Jesus initially consisted of Evil Glen (guitar and vocals), Org666 (vocals), and Lord Bedingfield (bass). Without a permanent drummer at first, their early gigs involved an unattended drum set inviting audience members to play. Shortly thereafter, Alex McIntosh joined as drummer, and the band produced a four-track demo titled Mourning. Due to budget limits, only a few hundred cassette copies were made, yet it circulated underground, reaching as far as New York City.
In 1999, after the dissolution of local act Perceptual Distortion, Trevor Loney replaced McIntosh on drums. Dead Jesus then recorded their first full-length album, When Your Soul Is The Sickness, at Power Sound Studios. The record featured raw yet dynamic songs like "Roadkill" and "Mortuary". Its favorable reception earned them opportunities to open for prominent bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Incantation, Cryptopsy, and Napalm Death.
Let Them Suffer
Following their debut release, both Loney and Bedingfield left due to personal matters. They were succeeded by Travisty on drums and Mike Sparks on bass. The addition of second guitarist Sol further solidified the lineup. In 2004, Dead Jesus returned to Power Sound Studios to produce Let Them Suffer, a more refined album that enhanced their standing locally and facilitated Canadian tours alongside groups like Deicide and Infernäl Mäjesty. Although approached by Nuclear Blast America with a contract offer contingent upon changing their name, the band chose to decline.
More Funerals
In 2007, Lord Bedingfield rejoined Dead Jesus amid escalating internal disputes that nearly resulted in physical confrontations. Despite the strained atmosphere, fresh material was created culminating in the release of More Funerals, a four-track EP accompanied by a documentary directed by Drew Copeland (Death Toll Rising). This film provides an intimate look into the band’s turbulent period and features members unlikely to reunite for future performances.
God And The Devil
After More Funerals, Dead Jesus embarked on their most ambitious endeavor yet. During a break from performing, Lord Bedingfield authored a novel intended for private distribution but halted progress due to financial obstacles. A discussion with Evil Glen led to the decision to merge the novel with the band's forthcoming album, necessitating new compositions and additional personnel: Blagerbaas on lead guitar and Father Twelve on drums. This refreshed lineup ignited a creative surge resulting in September 2008’s God And The Devil, a double-disc hardback album that included the novel’s complete text. The release party at Edmonton’s Starlite Room featured elaborate theatrical presentations. At that time, plans were underway for tours across Europe and South America.
Discography
- 1999: Into Mourning (Four-track demo)
- 2000: When Your Soul Is the Sickness (Debut full-length)
- 2004: Let Them Suffer (Full-length CD)
- 2007: More Funerals (Four-track EP with DVD)
- 2008: God And The Devil (Double-disc album with novel)
- 2009: Let Them Suffer (Remixed and remastered edition)
Final lineup
- Calvin Fehr – lead vocalist
- Daemonikus – vocals
- Evilglen Botchenstein – rhythm guitarist and vocalist
- Blagerbaas – lead guitarist
- Lord Bedingfield IV – bassist
- Father Twelve – drummer
Previous members
- Org666 – vocals
- Alex McIntosh – drums (on Into Mourning)
- Trevor Loney – drums (on When Your Soul Is The Sickness)
- Mike Sparks – bass (on Let Them Suffer)
- Saulomen Ward – lead guitar (featured on Let Them Suffer and More Funerals)
- Travisty – drums (featured on Let Them Suffer and More Funerals)
External links
- Dead Jesus Official website