Deathstars is a Swedish industrial metal band from Strömstad. 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 in Europe and 2003 in North and South America), Termination Bliss (2006), Night Electric Night (2009), The Perfect Cult (2014), and Everything Destroys You (2023). Deathstars have supported live acts by bands such as Korn and Cradle of Filth, the latter of which were part of the inspiration for Deathstars. Deathstars also supported Rammstein on their Made In Germany 1995–2011 tour.
The current lineup of the band consists primarily of members from Swordmaster, a black metal project that has former members of Dissection, and Ophthalamia. The band currently consists of guitarist Nightmare Industries, lead vocalist Whiplasher Bernadotte, bassist Skinny Disco, guitarist Cat Casino and drummer Nitro. The band normally uses standard C tuning, in which instruments are transposed two whole tones lower than standard tuning.
History
Formation, Synthetic Generation (2000–2003)
The founding members of the band have known each other from childhood after growing up in Strömstad. The members have considered Deathstars to be a metamorphosed version of 1993 founded black metal act, Swordmaster, featuring former Dissection drummer Ole Öhman ("Bone W.a Machine") and guitarist Emil Nödtveidt ("Nightmare Industries"). Nightmare Industries was also the brother of Dissection's late Jon Nödtveidt. Deathstars is fronted by Andreas Bergh ("Whiplasher Bernadotte") and saw Erik Halvorsen ("Beast X Electric") on guitar. The band took on both a radical image and change in musical direction for the album Synthetic Generation.
According to Nightmare Industries in an interview, the name "Deathstars" itself was never intended to be a reference to the Death Star in Star Wars, but was in fact supposed to be an amalgamation of "Death Metal" and "Stars." They cite bands such as Kiss as an early inspiration, and have recently been compared to Rammstein, The Kovenant and Marilyn Manson.
Synthetic Generation first surfaced in Sweden during March 2002 on LED Recordings, but would be picked up for European release by the German Nuclear Blast label the following year.
Originally only a live bass player for Deathstars, Jonas Kangur ("Skinny Disco") became an official member on 1 October 2003.
Before Synthetic Generation was released, several demos were recorded, two of which are freely available on the internet; 'Razor End' and 'Black Medicine'. 'Razor End' is the most unusual as it is a song with strong female vocals, and is more like Synthetic Generation's material, whereas 'Black Medicine', can be described as featuring parts of 'The Last Ammunition', 'Tongues' and 'Blitzkrieg' from Termination Bliss. 'Black Medicine' may be linked to the song 'Tongues' as the song 'Tongues' describes "white medicine".
Termination Bliss, new lineup (2004–2006) Plans to commence recording of a second album in June 2004 were delayed as, returning home from an appearance at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival in Leipzig, Germany, Deathstars had over $15,000 worth of gear stolen from their tour bus. The band later landed the support to the resurrected Dissection at their Stockholm Lilla Arenan gig in late October.
Deathstars undertook album recordings in early 2005 at the band's own Black Syndicate Studios for the Termination Bliss album.
In outside activity, both Emil Nodtveidt and bassist Skinny scored production credits on the Dissection album Reinkaos. Deathstars also remixed the track "Vyperpunk" on Dope Stars Inc.'s Neuromance album.
The band parted ways with guitarist Erik Halvorsen in August, citing "lack of enthusiasm".
Termination Bliss saw release in January 2006. Limited edition variants added a "Driven On" remix of the track "Blitzkrieg" by Mortiis.
The band supported Cradle of Filth on their 2006 tour through Europe.
In September 2006 Deathstars' website announced that Eric Bäckman ("Cat Casino") was now a full-time guitarist for Deathstars.