Bloodgood

    Bloodgood

    Seattle, Washington10 reviews across 7 releases

    hard rockheavy metalmelodic metalpop metal
    DiscogsWebsiteBandcampFacebookInstagram

    Bloodgood was a Seattle Christian metal band formed in 1984 around bassist Michael Bloodgood and vocalist Les Carlsen. Its early music paired heavy-metal riffing with explicitly Christian lyrics, while Carlsen's high, theatrical delivery gave the songs a dramatic edge. The band's stage presentation was equally direct: live versions of "Crucify" depicted Christ's persecution with actors and physical violence, an approach reflected in songs such as "Alone in Suicide" and "America." The 1987 album Detonation was fast, forceful and guitar-led, with a confrontational attack. Rock in a Hard Place shifted toward polished pop-metal hooks and acoustic guitar without leaving hard rock behind. By 1991, All Stand Together had softened the attack further with radio-oriented songs and restrained keyboards.

    David Zaffiro left during the transition into 1989, after which Paul Jackson joined and Kevin Whisler became the drummer. A move from Frontline Records to Broken Records accompanied All Stand Together in 1991, while the German concert later issued as To Germany With Love presented the band as a tight live unit near the end of its first run. Bloodgood broke up in 1994. Michael Bloodgood and Les Carlsen re-formed the group in the 2000s, with Paul Jackson returning and Oz Fox later joining the lineup. Michael Bloodgood released a worship project in 2008, and Bloodgood entered the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010. The documentary Trenches of Rock followed in 2019. Michael Bloodgood died on July 29, 2022, after a hemorrhagic stroke; Bloodgood disbanded two days later.

    7 releases reviewed