A beloved heavy metal musician has died.
Bethlehem founder Jürgen Bartsch has sadly passed away and fans have been left stunned by the news. He was a founding member of the German metal band and their current singer Yvonne Onielar Wilczynska took to Instagram to share a tribute to her co-star.
Translated from German, the message read: “He has died many times, ut death was only temporary. After a serious illness, perseverance, and great fighting spirit, our beloved friend and esteemed founder of Bethlehem 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.”
Heartbroken fans have flooded social media with condolences for Jürgen’s friends, family, loved ones and band members. One person thanked him for “all the incredible albums, eerie sounds and abstract lyrics that made up his life’s work.”
Others wrote: “RIP,” and: “Live on,” with a broken heart emoji, while someone else typed: “My condolences, Onielar. Bethlehem is my all-time favourite band, you guys are genuinely very amazing and creative people. I’m devasted.”
Another fan said: “Oh my goodness…..rest in peace my legend and hero…..send my own griefs and sorrows. We’ll miss you so much.”
Bartsch helped found the band back in 1991 and Bethlehem are considered pioneers of the genre DSBM, meaning depressive suicidal black metal. Back in 2024 he spoke to Chaosphonia about finding humour in such dark lyrics.
He said: “I don’t take myself seriously because I just can’t. I’m a German idiot who can’t take himself too seriously. No, it’s for the art, my personal life is a bit different from what’s being presented in my art.”
“In the past, a lot of people came to the house where I used to live and some of them were so disappointed that my mates from Bethlehem, my friends and I were laughing all the time.”
Jürgen highlighted that “life doesn’t exist with only depression and suicide,” as “fortunately there is also another [positive] side”.
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