Les Carlsen is known for his work as lead vocalist for the Heavy Metal band Bloodgood back in the 80's & 90's. Les Carlsen is a solo project that combines Carlsen's raspy vocal style with traditional Melodic Metal all-the- while infusing some Modern-day elements. Although he includes some Modern touches, Les still holds true to the familiar Metal styles developed while performing with his former band Bloodgood.
Back in the early 70's, Les decided to try his hand at Broadway and auditioned to be part of a live theater in Seatle. He landed the part and while performing theater, he traveled and wrote a number of songs. Les worked with a group of musicians from Seattle to record his songs under the moniker 'Joshua' on cassette by Revelation Records. The recording was made while touring as the lead role "Claude," with the Broadway musical "HAIR". Unfortunately, the recordings never made it from the studio to the public. However, in 2019 Girder Records got hold of the recordings and re-mastered and re-published them under the title '1971' as a solo project by Les Carlsen.
Back in the early 70's, Les decided to try his hand at Broadway and auditioned to be part of a live theater in Seatle. He landed the part and while performing theater, he traveled and wrote a number of songs. Les worked with a group of musicians from Seattle to record his songs under the moniker 'Joshua' on cassette by Revelation Records. The recording was made while touring as the lead role "Claude," with the Broadway musical "HAIR". Unfortunately, the recordings never made it from the studio to the public. However, in 2019 Girder Records got hold of the recordings and re-mastered and re-published them under the title '1971' as a solo project by Les Carlsen.
After his 1971 recording, Les Carlsen continued playing in various bands and developing himself as a vocalist. In the 1980's, Les joined forces with the 80's band Bloodgood to front the group as their lead vocalist. After joining the band, the rest is history. Bloodgood would go on to be a household name in the Christian Metal community and around the world. With Les Carlsen on lead vocals, Bloodgood released their self-titled debut album in 1986. The band then went on to produce 6 full-length album and 3 (Live) recordings. Bloodgood's discography includes 1986-'Bloodgood', 1987-'Detonation', 1988-'Rock In A Hard Place', 1989-'Out Of The Darkness', 1991-'All Stand Together', 2013-'Dangerously Close'. The band's (Live) recordings include 1990-'Alive In America: Live Volume One', 1990-'Shakin' The World: Live Volume Two', 1993-'To Germany, With Love! - Live In Germany 1993'.
It should be noted that Bloodgood was one of the first groups to help pave the way for Metal bands in the Christian music scene.
With Bloodgood, Les was able to continue his "Broadway" acting, so to speak, as we saw on their two videos released in 1990 Bloodgood Live Vol 1 & Vol 2 with Les and the band performing alongside other actors adding dramatic scenes to the band's live performance.
In 2015 Les Carlsen was part of a joint effort with Don Cromwell called 'Carlsen Cromwell' - 'The Lucky Side' on BayEast Music. This release featured a 70's meets Rock sound with Les Carlsen on lead vocals and Don Cromwell handling all instruments & background vocals.
Some bands that have influenced Les over the years include Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, Janice Joplin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown.
It should be noted that Bloodgood was one of the first groups to help pave the way for Metal bands in the Christian music scene.
With Bloodgood, Les was able to continue his "Broadway" acting, so to speak, as we saw on their two videos released in 1990 Bloodgood Live Vol 1 & Vol 2 with Les and the band performing alongside other actors adding dramatic scenes to the band's live performance.
In 2015 Les Carlsen was part of a joint effort with Don Cromwell called 'Carlsen Cromwell' - 'The Lucky Side' on BayEast Music. This release featured a 70's meets Rock sound with Les Carlsen on lead vocals and Don Cromwell handling all instruments & background vocals.
Some bands that have influenced Les over the years include Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, Janice Joplin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown.
"Let the Truth be known throughout the entire world that Jesus Christ
is alive and well! Having said that, be filled with joy and carry on!"
- Les Carlsen -
is alive and well! Having said that, be filled with joy and carry on!"
- Les Carlsen -
2022
In 2022 Les Carlsen released his debut full-length studio album titled 'He's Coming' on an independent record label. The album was produced by Les Carlsen & Joyce Carlsen along with assistant producer Paul Jackson. The recording was mixed by Wyatt Oates at Madison Records and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. Oz Fox & David Zaffiro mixed track-3 "Judas Is Dead". The layout & design was managed by Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal. The album's stunning cover art was done by Graphic Designer-Raphael Tavares. The idea for the album's covert art was taken from Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
It's been 9 long years since Les Carlsen last sung with his former band Bloodgood. With that said, naturally this leads one to question whether or not he still has the chops to deliver the goods as a vocalist within such a demanding genre as Metal. However, after just one spin of his latest 2022 release, fans will be pleasantly surprised to discover that Les has delivered up another solid standout performance. He still has what it takes to deliver the goods even in modern-day times just as he did back in the 80's and 90's.
On track-9 "Return Me To The Fire", Les garners some additional help on vocals by his wife Joyce Carlsen who does and incredible job performing vocal duties throughout the song.
On track-9 "Return Me To The Fire", Les garners some additional help on vocals by his wife Joyce Carlsen who does and incredible job performing vocal duties throughout the song.
The track-list for 'He's Coming' includes 1.I Wanna Know You 2.Scars 3.Judas Is Dead 4.The Jesus Freak Show
5.Faith Is Tested 6.How Long 7.River 8.He's Coming 9.Return Me To The Fire.
5.Faith Is Tested 6.How Long 7.River 8.He's Coming 9.Return Me To The Fire.
|
|
On this project, there are a number of shredders with the guitar section being comprised of Oz Fox(Stryper), Les Carlsen, Paul Jackson, Craig Church, and David Zaffiro(Bloodgood). David Zaffiro handles lead guitars on track-8 "He's Coming" and rhythm guitars on track-7 "River". Zaffiro was the original guitarist for Bloodgood on their debut self-titled 1986 album. He also went on to play guitar for the band on their 1987 album 'Detonation', and their 1988 album 'Rock In A Hard Place'. After leaving Bloodgood, Zaffiro went on to release a few solo projects worth checking out.
Lyrics are thought provoking covering forgiveness, Jesus and his sacrifice,
the end times, and much more as one can see in the following excerpts:
the end times, and much more as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Scars"
Every tongue, every tribe and nation
Have played their part in abomination
So many crimes have scarred the lands
Forgiveness comes from nail-scarred hands
Blood-stained flags too heavy to wave
Stone cold bodies down in the grave
The Kingdom stands, nations fall
There is One who is Lord of all
"The Jesus Freak Show"
Out of the darkness and into the light
The Jesus freak show starts tonight
You've heard this before, it's not going away
It gathers momentum every single day
The word of the Lord, proven and true
Living inside every one of you
"How Long"
The whole world is a stage
Final performance marks the age
Time has come, He's on His way
Prepare us now
For that great and terrible day
Give your pain to Me My burden is light
"He's Coming"
He will return, thief in the night
Destroy the dark with blazing light
Hide in the rocks or in the cracks
The child on earth is coming back
He's coming, He's coming, He's coming...
He's coming
He's coming, He's coming, He's coming...
He's coming, He's coming
It takes us all, that's what you've heard
It took one man, the Living Word
It takes us all, that's what you've heard
It took one man, the Living Word
"Return Me To The Fire"
Oh, Lord, I'm so scared
Think I'm falling
Oh, Lord, You cared
And You died for my sin
I let you in
So why am I failing?
Return me to the fire
To the fire, my first love
Return me to the fire
To the fire, my first love
Every tongue, every tribe and nation
Have played their part in abomination
So many crimes have scarred the lands
Forgiveness comes from nail-scarred hands
Blood-stained flags too heavy to wave
Stone cold bodies down in the grave
The Kingdom stands, nations fall
There is One who is Lord of all
"The Jesus Freak Show"
Out of the darkness and into the light
The Jesus freak show starts tonight
You've heard this before, it's not going away
It gathers momentum every single day
The word of the Lord, proven and true
Living inside every one of you
"How Long"
The whole world is a stage
Final performance marks the age
Time has come, He's on His way
Prepare us now
For that great and terrible day
Give your pain to Me My burden is light
"He's Coming"
He will return, thief in the night
Destroy the dark with blazing light
Hide in the rocks or in the cracks
The child on earth is coming back
He's coming, He's coming, He's coming...
He's coming
He's coming, He's coming, He's coming...
He's coming, He's coming
It takes us all, that's what you've heard
It took one man, the Living Word
It takes us all, that's what you've heard
It took one man, the Living Word
"Return Me To The Fire"
Oh, Lord, I'm so scared
Think I'm falling
Oh, Lord, You cared
And You died for my sin
I let you in
So why am I failing?
Return me to the fire
To the fire, my first love
Return me to the fire
To the fire, my first love
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
If I was going to buy just one record this month then I would make 'He's Coming' that album because it's just that good! Les Carlsen latest project was a labor of love, and the hard work that he has put into it has produced as a solid slab of Metal. Let's help support this project by picking up your copy today of this 2022 release 'He's Coming'! Also, don't forget to check out the interview I had with various artists who participated on this album.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Les Carlsen - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Synths
Joyce Carlsen - Lead Vocals on "Return Me To The Fire", Background Vocals, Synths
David Zaffiro - Lead Guitars on "He's Coming"/Rhythm Guitars on "River"
Oz Fox - Guitars & All Instruments & Production on "Judas Is Dead"
Craig Church - Guitars
Paul Jackson - Guitars
Nathan DiGesare II - Strings on "How Long"
Ricky B. Rogers - Bass
Dan Needham - Drums
Les Carlsen - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Synths
Joyce Carlsen - Lead Vocals on "Return Me To The Fire", Background Vocals, Synths
David Zaffiro - Lead Guitars on "He's Coming"/Rhythm Guitars on "River"
Oz Fox - Guitars & All Instruments & Production on "Judas Is Dead"
Craig Church - Guitars
Paul Jackson - Guitars
Nathan DiGesare II - Strings on "How Long"
Ricky B. Rogers - Bass
Dan Needham - Drums
