BETHLEHEM Founder JÜRGEN BARTSCH Dead At 58

The metal world is in mourning following the death of Jürgen Bartsch, founding bassist and principal songwriter of German dark metal pioneers Bethlehem.

Bartsch passed away on August 27, 2025, after a long illness, as confirmed by Bethlehem vocalist Onielar, who shared the following statement in translated from German via Instagram: "After a serious illness, perseverance and great fighting spirit, our beloved friend and esteemed band founder Jürgen Bartsch passed away on 27 August 2025. In deep mourning and a broken heart. On behalf of Bethlehem."

Bartsch's passing has shaken both the band's fanbase and the broader extreme metal community. Prophecy Productions, Bethlehem's longtime label, also issued a statement, with founder Martin Koller writing: "My heartfelt condolences go out to Jürgen's family and friends. I am still in shock. It is hard to deal with this loss and to convey in a few words what a wonderful human being and brilliant artist Jürgen was – as that needs to be left for later: now we are all bound by grief and sorrow. Rest in Peace, Jürgen!"

Formed in 1991 in Grevenbroich, North Rhine-Westphalia, by Jürgen Bartsch and guitarist Klaus Matton, Bethlehem quickly earned a reputation as one of the most uncompromising and experimental bands in extreme metal. Their music fused the raw aggression of black and doom metal with avant-garde structures and bleak, nihilistic atmospheres.

The group's landmark 1994 debut, Dark Metal, not only lent its name to a subgenre but also set Bethlehem apart with its haunting combination of depressive moods and violent outbursts. Its follow-up, Dictius Te Necare in 1996, featuring the harrowing shrieks of vocalist Rainer Landfermann, remains one of the most disturbing and influential albums in the history of black and dark metal.

Throughout the years, Bethlehem underwent multiple lineup changes, with Bartsch serving as the band's creative anchor and driving force. Albums like S.U.i.Z.i.D. in 1998, Mein Weg in 2004, and Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia in 2014 showed Bartsch's unrelenting commitment to pushing the boundaries of extreme music, often merging industrial, gothic, and ambient textures with Bethlehem's signature darkness.

In 2016, Bethlehem released a self-titled album featuring Onielar from Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult on vocals, marking a new era for the band. The record received widespread praise for revitalizing Bethlehem's sound while staying true to Bartsch's unsettling vision. Their most recent album, Lebenslinien in 2023, further cemented Bethlehem's legacy as innovators of depressive, avant-garde extreme metal.

Rest in peace, Jürgen.