The metal world is mourning the loss of Jürgen Bartsch, the co-founder, bassist, and principal songwriter of the influential German band Bethlehem, who passed away on August 27, 2025, after a long illness. His passing was confirmed by Bethlehem vocalist Yvonne “Onielar” Wilczynska, who shared a heartfelt message of grief and remembrance, calling him both a beloved friend and the guiding force of the band.
Prophecy Productions, Bethlehem’s longtime label, also expressed their sorrow. Founder Martin Koller described Bartsch as not only a brilliant artist but also a wonderful human being, noting that words fall short in conveying the depth of this loss.
A Pioneer of Darkness in Metal
Bartsch founded Bethlehem in 1991 alongside guitarist Klaus Matton, emerging from the German thrash underground with a vision that would soon reshape extreme metal. Their 1994 debut album, Dark Metal, didn’t just carve out a unique space in the underground—it gave a name to a whole subgenre. Combining elements of black, doom, and gothic metal with avant-garde structures, Bethlehem’s music was both suffocatingly bleak and strangely beautiful.
The band’s second record, Dictius Te Necare (1996), featuring Rainer Landfermann’s legendary shrieks, remains one of the most harrowing and influential works in extreme metal. Across their ten albums, Bethlehem continued to evolve, experimenting with industrial, ambient, and gothic influences while always staying anchored in the unsettling vision of Bartsch.
The Creative Constant
Though Bethlehem’s lineup changed many times over the decades, Bartsch remained its constant presence—the creative heart of the band. His willingness to take risks and defy boundaries helped shape the subgenre later known as depressive suicidal black metal, influencing countless bands worldwide.
In later years, Bethlehem entered a new chapter with Onielar on vocals, first on their 2016 self-titled album and continuing through Lebenslinien in 2023. Even after three decades, Bartsch showed no signs of artistic stagnation, pushing Bethlehem’s sound forward while retaining its dark core.
A Lasting Legacy
Beyond his music, Bartsch will be remembered for his perseverance, his creative spirit, and his ability to channel pain, despair, and intensity into art that resonated with listeners around the globe. His contributions have left a lasting mark not only on German metal but on the entire extreme metal underground.
As Bethlehem wrote in their statement:
“In deep mourning and a broken heart. On behalf of Bethlehem.”
Rest in peace, Jürgen Bartsch. Your vision and music will live on.
