Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: Deathstars (Sweden)
Deathstars (Industrial Metal // Sweden)
Deathstars is an industrial metal band from Strömstad, Sweden. Formed in 2000, the group are noted for their dark horror-themed lyrics, pessimistic and misanthropic social commentary, distinctive trademark face paint, dark stage uniforms and physical appearances that correspond to gothic fashion. They have released five full-length studio albums: »Synthetic Generation« (2002), »Termination Bliss« (2006), »Night Electric Night« (2009), »The Perfect Cult« (2014) and »Everything Destroys You« (2023).
The band’s current lineup consists of lead guitarist Nightmare Industries, lead vocalist Whiplasher Bernadotte, bassist Skinny Disco, rhythm guitarist Cat Casino and drummer Nitro.
Swedish industrial cult act Deathstars returned with their latest sonic output »Everything Destroys You«, out on May 5th, 2023 via Nuclear Blast Records. Their first release in over eight years marks a long-awaited comeback with everything that is Deathstars: adrenaline, bombast, sex & glam! Amplified anguish, destructive urban party nights, dystopia, and slick glamour – their diverse musical spectrum spans from electric, lightning-ridden highways of fun, action and adrenaline to darkness and jet-black humor.
“The reason it’s been taking so long is that we simply wanted – and needed – a break after intense touring and so on, and on top of that the pandemic happened so tours were postponed and the release with them, so it feels fantastic to finally be able to present »Everything Destroys You«,” says Nightmare Industries.
“This album is more of an outgoing piece and feels well calibrated when it comes to illustrating the band’s world for the last years,” Whiplasher adds.
Well known for their high energy rock n roll-shows that simply scream “Scandinavian Deathglam”, the band went on to winning awards such as the highly respected Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Award to doing arena tours with the likes of Rammstein and Korn as well as touring all over the world again and again. In over 20 years the Swedes have not only created their own legacy and worldwide following but inspired many other bands with their uniqueness and glamorous spell. Though the new release is progressive in its own enchanting way, it stays true to their vision and distinctiveness that is so charmingly and unmistakably Deathstars.
“»Everything Destroys You« is the face of the excesses of our nights of opulence in the city. We always write about our lives, and there’s no fiction, spirituality, or soul in the marrow of Deathstars,” says Whiplasher. “It’s just the scarred city life in the raw.”
The fifth Deathstars album was produced by Nightmare Industries at Black Syndicate in Stockholm, Sweden, and was mixed and mastered by Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Anthrax, Steel Panther) in Los Angeles, USA.
Courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records
Discography:
• »Synthetic Generation« LP (Nuclear Blast Records, 2002)
• »Termination Bliss« LP (Nuclear Blast Records, 2006)
• »Night Electric Night« LP (Nuclear Blast Records, 2009)
• »Decade Of Debauchery« Compilation (Nuclear Blast, 2010)
• »The Greatest Hits On Earth« Compilation (Nuclear Blast, 2011)
• »The Perfect Cult« LP (Nuclear Blast Records, 2014)
• »Everything Destroys You« LP (Nuclear Blast Records, 2023)
Deathstars is:
Andreas “Whiplasher Bernadotte” Bergh – Vocals
Emil “Nightmare Industries” Nödtveidt – Lead Guitar, Keyboards
Jonas “Skinny Disco” Kangur – Bass, Backing Vocals
Eric “Cat Casino” Bäckman – Rhythm Guitar
Marcus “Nitro” Johansson – Drums
FFO: Oomph!, Marilyn Manson, Pain, The 69 Eyes, Gothminister, Dope Stars Inc., Samael, Darkseed, Moonspell, Die Krupps
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well