Bethlehem Members, Gear & Sound
German dark metal band
Members
Select a Bethlehem band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.
About
Bethlehem is a pioneering German metal band renowned for its profound, often unsettling exploration of themes like suicide, madness, and mortality. Formed in 1991 by Jürgen Bartsch (bass) and Klaus Matton (guitar), the group has seen various line-up changes, including vocalists like Andreas Classen and Guido Meyer de Voltaire, as well as drummers such as Chris Steinhoff and Steve Wolz. Their genre-defying sound incorporates elements of doom metal, black metal, and experimental black metal, making them a unique force in the metal scene. Albums like Dark Metal and Dictus Te Necare showcase their signature blend of dark, atmospheric tones combined with visceral intensity.
How to Sound Like Bethlehem
Bethlehem’s sound is raw and foreboding, characterized by dense, sludgy guitar riffs and haunting atmospheres. The use of gear such as the Marshall JCM900 MKIII 2500 and Marshall 1960B 4x12'' Cabinet helps create their crushing, heavy tones that are both aggressive and immersive. The guitars, such as the ES Guitars ES-86 and Ibanez RG 270 Black, deliver a bleak sonic landscape, while the growling bass lines and relentless drumming contribute to the band's intense and atmospheric sound. This combination of gear and musical approach results in a soundscape that is both oppressive and eerily captivating, embodying the essence of depressive black metal.
Discography
Dictius Te Necare
1996
Reflektionen aufs Sterben
1998
Sardonischer Untergang im Zeichen irreligiöser Darbietung
1998
Schatten aus der Alexander Welt
2001
Mein Weg
2004
Stönkfitzchen
2010
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia
2014
Dark Metal
2014
A Sacrifical Offering to the Kingdom of Heaven in a Cracked Dog's Ear
2014
Bethlehem
2016
Lebe Dich Leer
2019
The Gospel According to Alexander
2022
Get the Bethlehem Sound
Want to sound like Bethlehem? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.