R.I.P. - Jürgen Bartsch (Bethlehem) passed away on August 27, 2025

Yvonne Wilczynska, better known as Onielar, frontwoman of Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, and also of Bethlehem since 2016, writes the following:

"After a serious illness, perseverance, and great fighting spirit, our beloved friend and esteemed band founder Jürgen Bartsch passed away on August 27, 2025.
In deep sorrow and with a broken heart.
In the name of Bethlehem.
We will never forget you, Jürgen.
Rest in peace."

Jürgen Bartsch founded the German band Bethlehem in 1991. He played bass, occasionally keyboards, and briefly also guitar. He also produced, wrote lyrics, and was responsible for the artwork and layout.
Bethlehem released several albums with an idiosyncratic style in the realm of experimental extreme metal (elements ranging from dark metal to doom metal to black metal and more) with sophisticated and even bizarre German lyrics.

Jürgen Bartsch also worked with other bands, such as Morbid Vision and Deinonychus.
Now, lines like this are a sad reality – he couldn't escape death:

"For if I die once, I can no longer live.
My death rushes out, calling me like a madman. Oh, cunning horror, could I only escape you!"
(from "Niemals mehr leben" on the 2019 album "Lebe dich leer")
We join Onielar: R.I.P. Jürgen

Explaining Bethlehem

Bethlehem - Verbracht in Plastiknacht

Bethlehem - Verdaut in klaffenden Mäulern

 

Rest In Peace

 

The vibrations of DEATH.