Bather

Bather, a heavy metal band hailing from Columbus, Ohio, emerged in 2018 as a reinvention of a prior musical project. Channeling a ferocious mix of death metal, metallic hardcore, and sludge into their self-titled debut ep, released on April 12, 2019, under Appalachian Noise Records. Named after William Etty’s painting series “Musidora: The Bather ‘At the Doubtful Breeze Alarmed’,” the quintet—comprising Josh Richter (vocals), John Huffman (bass), Nicky Richter (guitars), and Mike White (drums). Bather delivers a raw, heavy sound marked by grinding guitars, hypnotic basslines, and intense misery-laden vocals, as showcased in tracks like “Birds” and “Suffer More”. Their music, described as a sonic beating, balances extreme aggression with moody lyrical depth. The music also addresses themes like depression and paranoia and earns praise for its headbanging catchiness and unpolished black metal edge. Bather has since been on numerous tours and shows including a notable performance at Columbus’s King Of Clubs on May 9th 2025 opening for Converge and Peeling Flesh as a part of the Sonic Temple after show performances. The band released their sophomore EP, Phantom Guilt, in 2020, solidifying their place in Ohio’s gritty metal scene. In April of 2025, Bather completed the recording of their debut album yet to be named with Matt Guglielmo in Newton New Jersey.

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