Bethlehem Founder Jürgen Bartsch Dies After Illness

Jürgen Bartsch, the founding bassist, chief songwriter, and sole constant member of the German extreme metal band Bethlehem, passed away on August 27, 2025, after a serious illness. Bethlehem, formed in 1991 with bandmate Klaus Matton, are recognized as pioneers of the Depressive Suicidal Black Metal (DSBM) subgenre, blending black metal with doom metal on influential albums such as their 1994 debut 'Dark Metal' and 1996's 'Dictius te necare.' Despite initial negative reception and censorship, including bans in some German cities, the band went on to release 10 albums, with their latest in 2022 titled 'The Gospel According to Alexander.' Bartsch was known for injecting humor into his dark-themed work and did not take himself too seriously, viewing the band as a vital creative outlet and a path to survival. The band and fans mourn his loss, with current singer Yvonne “Onielar” Wilczynska paying tribute to his perseverance and impact on the genre. Bethlehem's music, including tracks featured in the 1997 cult film 'Gummo,' remains influential within extreme metal circles.