If the name Les Carlsen rings a bell & sounds familiar well that's because it should! Les Carlsen became a household name in the Metal community back in the 80's and 90's as lead vocalist with the Metal band Bloodgood. The Hall of Fame inductees-Bloodgood helped pave the way for other Metal bands in the Christian community and was the first Metal band to capture this listener's attention and draw me into the genre.

       In 2022 Les Carlsen released his debut studio solo album prophetically titled 'He's Coming' on an indie label. After the release of the record, the album went on to receive rave reviews within the Metal realm. The album truly showed that Carlsen still has what it takes to produce a solid Metal project today. 

       After the release of his debut album, Les Carlsen showed no signs of slowing down when he returned to the studios to record material for a second release.

       In 2025 Les Carlsen followed-up with his sophomore full-length studio album titled 'Free Will' on Girder Records. This latest release features 10 new tracks from frontman-Les Carlsen in a Jewel Case CD. The album includes an LTD Collector Card # Spikes Up Series, a Collector Slip Sleeve, & a 12-page booklet w/Lyrics and photos. This collectors CD is limited to just 500 Units.
       Production was handled by Les Carlsen while engineering & recording was managed by Joyce Carlsen. The record was mixed at Madison Records by Wyatt Oates & Wesley Culberson and Mastered at Sterling Sound Nashville by Ted Jensen. The album's layout design was done by NoLifeTilMetal by Scott Waters and the Cover-Art was done by Raphael Taveras Gripp.
       'Free Will' finds the band mixing things up a bit from track to track where the arrangements vary from Metal to Hard Rock to Thrash to Progressive. Speaking of Progressive, track-4 "Epic" the vocals really draw comparison to Carlsen's earlier days with Bloodgood. I have to say, listening to "Epic" sent cold chills all over because the track is just that good!

       Les Carlsen's signature vocal style really stands out on this project and I believe that Bloodgood fans are going to be very pleased as well. Les garners some additional help behind the mic from Joyce who handles some backing vocals and manages lead vocals on track-7 "Bite My Tongue" which, by the way, she does a great job on!

       On this sophomore album, the guitar section is comprised of shredders Paul Jackson & Craig Church who both help bring this release to life with their varying guitar work.

Lyrics are Christ centered as one can see in the following excerpts:

FREE WILL
You're in need of something but you don't know what to do
Now I know someone and so I am telling you
I met a man who opened my eyes
I'm not ashamed to publicize
Tell the truth and let it be known
That this is not our permanent home
This is your Free Will
Holy Christ man died on a hill
Chose to die so you never will
Rose to life to make a way
No more death, no more pain


HE'S GOD
The clouds are the dust of His feet
The sea dries up when He speaks
Dust comes alive when He breathes
The rocks cry out with the trees
There's nothing that He doesn't see
HE'S GOD, yeah, HE'S GOD
HE'S GOD!

Wind blows and nobody knows where it comes from
Rain pours and thunder explodes from heaven
Hearts beat and they repeat, over and over
Because He made it so
Something that you must know. HE'S GOD
HE'S GOD


EPIC
Epic is the word
Awesome news that must be heard
Reveals the history of a nation
A child was born, and brought salvation,
Extended period of time,
From dust to diamonds in His line
Awesome and epic is The Lamb
The story of The Great I Am


HE LOVES DEEP
He is the Hound of Heaven
He’s come to find you
No lie, can keep Him from you
He sees your bleeding heart
Who can separate us from the love of Christ
Neither death nor life, angels or demons
Nothing separates us from the love of Christ
Neither depth nor height, nor anything in creation

       Les Carlsen is for fans of Bloodgood, Petra, and Whitecross. If you are into the 80's & 90's Metal scene then you are going to love 'Free Will'. Do yourself a favor and help the band out by picking up your copy of 'Free Will' today!

Musicians:
Les Carlsen(Bloodgood) - Lead Vocals
Joyce Carlsen - Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals on "Bite My Tongue"
Paul Jackson - Guitars 
Craig Church - Guitars, Keyboards (tracks: 3, 10)
Juan VanDunk - Bass 
Dan Needham - Drums, Percussion