Love and Death (band)
Love and Death is an American Christian metal band formed by Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. The group was officially announced in February 2012 as a re-branding of Welch's solo music project.
Love and Death | |
---|---|
Brian "Head" Welch performing live in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 23, 2010 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 2012–present |
Labels | Tooth & Nail, Earache |
Associated acts | Red, Spoken |
Website | loveanddeathmusic |
Members |
|
Past members |
|
History
Formation and early years (2009–2012)
The group is effectively a re-branding of the touring group that performed under Welch's name to promote his solo album. Formed in 2009, Welch recruited musicians through open auditions via YouTube, and second-round auditions, in person, at his studio in Phoenix, Arizona.[4] The original group was a six-piece group, that featured Michael Valentine on bass, Ralph Patlan on guitar, Brian Ruedy on keyboards, Scott "SVH" Von Heldt on guitars and vocals and Dan Johnson on drums. After two years of touring, Von Heldt departed the band due to financial reasons, whereas Ruedy was let go a few months earlier and later joined Whitesnake.[5] Patlan also departed the band, but no reason was given. The search began to find a guitar player. In March 2011, two weeks before a tour, Welch discovered "the perfect fit" for his band through Thousand Foot Krutch's public audition videos for a new guitarist on YouTube. 15 years old at the time, J.R. Bareis was chosen by Welch to be the new guitar player and became an official permanent member of the band, as they settled on establishing themselves as a four-piece. The group released a single, "Paralyzed" in November 2011, under the Brian "Head" Welch name. In February 2012, the touring band was re-branded into the group Love and Death.
Love and Death was formally announced in February 2012 through an official statement made by Welch. In the statement, Welch explained that "I have wanted to use a band name for branding my music for a few years. It has been an ongoing discussion with my management, but we were just starting to tour and I was in the middle of supporting my third book and it seemed like a bad time to switch names. Now with the new music coming out, its [sic] time to really separate the things I do. I want the music to be about music. I will still be doing public speaking under Brian Head Welch. I am happy that all the confusion will be over".[4] The name Love and Death was chosen because love and death are the two most significant things you can go through in life.[6]
Chemicals EP, Between Here & Lost (2012–2015)
The band's debut single, "Chemicals", was released in early April, while their debut EP of the same name released on April 24, 2012.[4] Welch revealed that they would be releasing a cover version of the song "Whip It" by Devo and a remix of "Paralyzed" by Har Meggido.
In late September 2012, the band announced that it had signed a deal with record label Tooth and Nail Records/EMI and that the group's debut album, Between Here & Lost would be released on November 20, however this was pushed back and released on January 22, 2013.[7][8] On the album, Welch stated that "this record was birthed from trials, tribulations, pain, suffering, anxiety, depression, and drama. However, we came out on top and the end result is a very real, raw & honest record."[8]
Perfectly Preserved (2016–present)
On March 15, 2016 a new single titled "Lo Lamento" was released.[9][10] In August 2019, it was announced that Welch was recruiting musicians such as Jasen Rauch, Lacey Sturm and Spencer Chamberlain about appearing on his next work, thought to be the next Love and Death album.[11]
On October 24, 2020, it was announced that the band had signed with extreme metal label Earache Records in order to release their new album in 2021.[12] On Friday, November 13, 2020, the band released "Down", with a new lineup of Welch, Bareis, longtime friend, producer, and Breaking Benjamin guitarist Jasen Rauch on bass, and Phinehas drummer Isaiah Perez on drums.[13] On January 8, 2021, the band released "White Flag" as the second single from Perfectly Preserved. It features sound similarities to both Korn and Breaking Benjamin.[14] Ahead of the album's release Welch explained that the band was able to get together to create the new album, because their main musical projects were on hold due the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
Band members
Current members
- Brian "Head" Welch – lead vocals, guitar (2012–present)
- JR Bareis – guitars, backing vocals (2012–present), bass (2016–2020)
- Jasen Rauch – bass (2020–present)
- Isaiah Perez – drums (2020–present)
Former members
- Michael Valentine – bass (2012–2016)
- Dan Johnson – drums (2012–2017)
Timeline
Discography
Love and Death discography | |
---|---|
Studio albums | 1 |
Music videos | 5 |
EPs | 1 |
Singles | 7 |
Studio albums
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [16] |
US Christ. [17] |
US Hard Rock [18] |
US Rock [19] | ||
Between Here & Lost |
|
81 | 5 | 5 | 28 |
Perfectly Preserved[21] | to be released |
Extended plays
Title | Details |
---|---|
Chemicals EP |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Sales [25] |
US Christ. Rock [26] | ||||
"Chemicals" | 2012 | 6 | 4 | Between Here & Lost | |
"The Abandoning" | — | 6 | |||
"I W8 4 U" | 2013 | — | — | ||
"Meltdown" | — | 14 | |||
"Lo Lamento"[27] | 2016 | — | — | Perfectly Preserved | |
"Down" | 2020 | — | — | ||
"White Flag" | 2021 | — | — | ||
"The Hunter" | — | — | |||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Music videos
Title | Year | Director(s) |
---|---|---|
"Paralyzed" | 2012 | N/A |
"Chemicals" | Brian Welch | |
"The Abandoning" | Daniel Davison | |
"Meltdown" | 2013 | Behn Fannin |
"Down" | 2020 | Sam Link |
References
- Heaney, Gregory. "Love and Death – Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
Love and Death is a Christian alt-metal band
- Topher P. (September 23, 2013). "Love & Death Reissue "Between Here & Lost", Featuring New Song "Empty"". Jesus Wired. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- Brown, Lee (January 14, 2013). "Love and Death – Between Here and Lost". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- "The Gauntlet News - Brian Head Welch Changes Band Name". Thegauntlet.com. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- "Whitesnake – Introducing Brian Ruedy". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- "INTERVIEW/ALBUM REVIEW: LOVE AND DEATH'". Rock Revolt Magazine. January 10, 2013.
- "Tooth & Nail Announce Updated Release Date For Debut Album From Love & Death Featuring Former Korn Guitarist Brian Head Welch 1/22/13 @ Top40-Charts.com - New Songs & Videos from 49 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 30 Countries". Top40-charts.com. November 6, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- Casey (September 26, 2012). "Welcome Love & Death To The Tooth & Nail Family!". Toothandnail.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
- Childers, Chad (March 15, 2016). "Love and Death "Lo Lamento" — Exclusive Song Premiere; Pre-Order Brian "Head" Welch's With My Eyes Wide Open". Loudwire. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
- "Brian "Head" Welch's Love and Death Releases New Single "Lo Lamento"". www.newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- Korn’s Brian "Head" Welch Lining Up Breaking Benjamin, Underoath, Etc. Members For New Solo Album The PRP. August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- Love And Death (Korn, Etc.) Sign With Earache Records ThePRP. October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- "Korn + Breaking Benjamin Announce Love & Death Reunion". Loudwire. November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- Aarons, Ricky (January 7, 2021). "Love And Death Drop Second Single 'White Flag' from Forthcoming Release 'Perfectly Preserved'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- Aarons, Ricky (January 19, 2021). "Brian 'Head' Welch – 'Love And Death With A Side of KoRn, Please'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- "Love and Death – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "Love and Death – Chart History: Top Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "Love and Death – Chart History: Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "Love and Death – Chart History: Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- Heaney, Gregory. "Between Here & Lost – Love and Death". AllMusic. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "Love And Death (Korn) Release New Teaser, Next Album Rumored For January Release". Theprp.com. November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- "KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH's LOVE AND DEATH Project To Release 'Perfectly Preserved' Album; 'Down' Single Available". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- "Love And Death (Korn, Etc.) Sign With Earache Records". Theprp.com. October 24, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- "Chemicals – Love and Death". AllMusic. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "Love and Death – Chart History: Hot Singles Sales". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "Love and Death – Chart History: Christian Rock". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "Lo Lamento – Single by Love and Death". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 4, 2018.