Bethlehem

Returning to Germany, we encounter one of the most important non-Norwegian bands to make an impact on world black metal. BETHLEHEM, from the North Rhine-Westphalia region, is known for their inventive approach to black metal. Scores of modern bands have drawn inspiration from them.

Formed in 1991 by Jürgen Bartsch and Klaus Matton (after their time in death/thrash bands Morbid Vision and Dark Tempest) when they joined forces with vocalist Andreas Classen and drummer Chris Steinhoff, Bethlehem was conceived of as a way to be an outlet for the morbid, dark, death-obsessed aspects of existence that Bartsch and Matton both struggled with. Suicide, for example, has been a recurring lyrical theme throughout Bethelehem's career.

"Wintermute" is from the 1993 7" Thy Pale Dominion

Bethlehem's initial sound is a visceral black metal style that draws on the band members' time in their earlier thrash bands. The self-titled 1992 demo and the 1993 EP Thy Pale Dominion are excellent examples of this. Yet at the same time, one can begin to hear a doom-oriented riffing style creep into their music. Listen to "Wintermute," above, to hear the fusion of styles in their early work.

1994's Dark Metal gives us "The 11th Commandment"

Bethlehem's long-lasting impact on extreme metal would mostly be a result of their first two full-length studio albums. 1994's Dark Metal, for example, continued the vile black metal style of the demos infused with a gothic/doom aesthetic. At the same time, this album's title would lend itself to the name of a subgenre of black metal. Future attempts to meld the rawness of black metal with the atmosphere and riffing of doom metal would be labeled "dark metal".

"Aphel - Die Schwarze Schlange" (off of their second album) contains some truly vile vocals!

Their second studio album, 1996's Dictius Te Necare (Latin for "you should kill yourself"), took things even further. Not only was Bethlehem's dark metal style present on this album in a big way, but new vocalist Rainer Landfermann helped push their sound to new extremes. His shrill, untamed shrieks remain some of the most tortured ever in the history of black metal!

Between the twisted vocals and dark subject matter, Bethlehem ran afoul of the authorities in their native Germany and abroad. Their music was seen as promoting suicide, and busybody parents' groups expressed concern. To this day, their music explores these darker aspects of human existence, and can properly be characterized as death-obsessed.

Their sound began evolving on their third album...

Select Discography:

Bethlehem (demo) (1992)

Thy Pale Dominion 7" (1993)

Dark Metal (full-length) (1994)

Dictius Te Necare (full-length) (1996)

Sardonischer Untergang im Zeichen irreligiöser Darbietung (full-length) (1998)

Next time: NORWAY--BEFORE THE BLACK METAL BOOM