Guitarists Tony Lazzara (Atombombpocketknife) and Eric Chaleff (Sterling) -- decided to write songs for an electric guitar duo and began playing live in clubs. They'd always had the idea to form a larger band, though, and began enlisting friends from the local scene. The pair recruited vocalist/saxophonist Bruce Lamont from Yakuza/Corrections House, drummer Cayce Key from the 90 Day Men, guitarist Sean Patrick Riley, bassist Craig Ackerman (Sterling), and keyboardists Nandini Khaund and Steve Art.

The band's live outings were musically intense. Sonically, they combined elements from extreme metal riffs, drones, and syncopations, as well as classical counterpoint and dynamics. They were also visceral, due in large part to Lamont's charismatic stage presence (and wild antics that included spitting stage blood into the audience).

After years of coordinating individual members to rehearse and play live, they impressed Relapse, who signed them in 2010 and issued their universally acclaimed debut long-player Descent in 2011. Their reputation spread not only across the continental U.S, but to Europe as well. Given the large size of the band and its member's individual commitments, touring was irregular, but that only enhanced enthusiasm for more music and led to sold-out shows when they did perform.

In 2013, Riley was involved in a deadly DUI, and he left the band to deal with his legal troubles. Several Bloodiest members appeared on all three Wrekmeister Harmonies albums and appeared with the ever-changing collective live.

Bloodiest didn't record again until late 2015. Their self-titled sophomore offering showcased the band paired with a sextet, with only Khaund on keyboards and new bassist Colin DeKuiper, formerly of Russian Circles, in the lineup. It was released in January 2016. ~ Thom Jurek