Bloodbath

Biography

Bloodbath is a Swedish death metal supergroup from Stockholm, formed in 1998. The band has released six full-length albums, two EPs, and two DVDs depicting their performances at Wacken Open Air (in 2005) and Bloodstock Open Air (in 2010). The group consists of Martin Axenrot (ex-Opeth), Anders Nyström (ex-Katatonia) and Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost).

History

The band named themselves after the song "Blood Bath" from the album To the Gory End by extreme metal band Cancer. The initial lineup consisted of Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) on vocals, Dan Swanö (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale) on drums, Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström (Katatonia, Diabolical Masquerade) on guitar, and Jonas Renkse (Katatonia, October Tide) on bass. Bloodbath released the EP Breeding Death×Breeding Death8 February 2000 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Breeding Death4:252Ominous Bloodvomit3:473Furnace Funeral5:03 within a year of forming. The EP was written within two days of the band forming. Nyström said, "that just shows that if you are with a like-minded bunch of people who all have their history within death metal, all are capable with their instruments, then of course you can knock out professional death metal in no time at all." The band's debut EP was followed two years later by their debut album, Resurrection Through Carnage×Resurrection Through Carnage12 November 2002 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Ways to the Grave4:092So You Die3:183Mass Strangulation3:324Death Delirium5:065Buried by the Dead3:146The Soulcollector3:377Bathe in Blood4:118Trail of Insects4:369Like Fire4:3410Cry My Name4:40.
In 2004, Åkerfeldt left Bloodbath, wanting to free up more time for his primary band, Opeth, with Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy) brought in to replace him. The lineup changed further, with Swanö switching to guitar and Martin Axenrot (Witchery, Satanic Slaughter, Opeth) filling the position of drummer. These changes increased the size and scope of the band, expanding beyond a secondary side project. The band's second full release, Nightmares Made Flesh, was released in Europe in September 2004.
In February 2005, Tägtgren left the band citing "conflicting schedules". That same year, Åkerfeldt rejoined for a live show at Germany's Wacken Open Air on 5 August. The band was quoted as saying, prior to the show, that it would be "Not only the first, but also the last gig for Bloodbath (with Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals)". It would later turn out to also be the last show with Swanö. In September 2005, Bloodbath began searching for a lead singer.
In August 2006, the band announced Swanö's departure due to musical differences and Swanö being busy with other projects. They closed the vocal auditions, announcing that no suitable singer had been found.
On 27 March 2007, the band announced that a new line-up would be unveiled, along with news that they were producing new material to be released that summer. In August 2007, Renkse posted on the band's official forums, suggesting that work was in progress. On 30 January 2008, it was announced via the Bloodbath website that Åkerfeldt would rejoin the line-up on vocals, along with new member Per Eriksson (ex-21 Lucifers, ex-Genocrush Ferox) on guitar. In March 2008, the EP Unblessing the Purity×Unblessing the Purity10 March 2008 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Blasting the Virginborn3:322Weak Aside4:153Sick Salvation3:214Mouth of Empty Praise4:32 was released. Also released in 2008 was the Wacken live CD/DVD The Wacken Carnage. Bloodbath released their third full-length album, The Fathomless Mastery×The Fathomless Mastery6 October 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1At the Behest of Their Death3:412Process of Disillumination3:093Slaughtering the Will to Live3:374Mock the Cross4:025Treasonous4:136Iesous3:347Drink From the Cup of Heresy3:378Devouring the Feeble3:119Earthrot3:2010Hades Rising5:0511Wretched Human Mirror4:12, in October 2008.
On 25 April 2011, Bloodbath released their second DVD, Bloodbath over Bloodstock, containing their performance at Bloodstock Festival 2010 and the 2008 performance at Party San. On 1 November 2011, during the final show of the American Opeth/Katatonia tour at Rams Head Live! in Baltimore, Maryland, Bloodbath performed a surprise encore after Opeth's set.
On 14 April 2012, Blakkheim announced that Åkerfeldt had officially left the group. When asked whether the new vocalist was known or not, Blakkheim was quoted saying "Oh, he's a legend!". On 16 September 2014, the band announced the new vocalist as Nick Holmes from Paradise Lost.
On 12 April 2025, Blakkheim announced that Renkse had left Bloodbath in 2023.

Artistry

Guitarist Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström explained the band's composition process: "There has always been a lot of spontaneity with Bloodbath. The whole project was formed over two days, while we also recorded our first EP [Breeding Death×Breeding Death8 February 2000 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Breeding Death4:252Ominous Bloodvomit3:473Furnace Funeral5:03] in that time. [...] We like things to be rapid; it keeps the magic going. If you just sit there and drag things out, you are going to lose interest in everything and you're not going to maintain that kick-ass vibe. Knock it out fast and no regrets." The band uses the Boss HM-2 to achieve its guitar tone.

Current members

Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström – guitars, backing vocals (1998–present)
Martin "Axe" Axenrot – drums, percussion (2004–present)
Nick "Old Nick" Holmes – lead vocals (2012–present)

Session members

Joakim Antman – bass (2023–present)
Niklas Sandin – bass (2018)
Waltteri Väyrynen – drums, percussion (2018–2022)

Former members

Jonas "Lord Seth" Renkse – bass, backing vocals (1998–2023)
Mikael Åkerfeldt – lead vocals (1998–2004, 2005–2012)
Dan Swanö – drums, percussion (1998– 2004), guitars (2004–2006), backing vocals (1998– 2006)
Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson – guitars (2007–2017)
Peter Tägtgren – lead vocals (2004–2005)
Joakim Karlsson – guitars (2018–2019)
Tomas "Plytet" Åkvik – guitar (2022–2024; session 2017–2022)

Studio albums

Resurrection Through Carnage (2002)
Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)
The Fathomless Mastery (2008)
Grand Morbid Funeral (2014)
The Arrow of Satan Is Drawn (2018)
Survival of the Sickest (2022)

EPs

Breeding Death (2000)
Unblessing the Purity (2008)

Live albums

The Wacken Carnage (2005)
Bloodbath over Bloodstock (2011)