Ghost Bath
American black metal band that falsely claimed Chinese origin.
Ghost Bath is an American black metal band that started in Minot, North Dakota, in 2012, with Dennis Mikula as its frontman. The group has put out four studio albums and one EP, combining black metal with post-rock. They first drew attention by presenting themselves as a band from China.
The band originally said they were from Chongqing, China. Their first album, *Funeral*, came out in 2014 on the Chinese label Pest Productions. They then signed with Germany’s Northern Silence Productions for their second album, *Moonlover*, in 2015. As media outlets like Pitchfork and Stereogum praised their work, it came out that the band was actually from Minot, North Dakota, and led by Mikula. When asked why they didn’t correct the false reports, Mikula explained they didn’t want to put real faces to their music, aiming instead to connect with all people. In 2017, they released *Starmourner*, followed by *Self Loather* in 2021, which completed a trilogy that began with *Moonlover*. In 2025, they announced their fifth album, *Rose Thorn Necklace*, set for release on May 9 through Nuclear Blast.
Musically, Ghost Bath is usually classified as black metal, but they mix the genre’s fast guitar picking and screamed vocals with the uplifting melodies and atmospheric feel of post-rock. Critics often describe their sound as blackgaze or post-black metal, and they are frequently compared to fellow American band Deafheaven, especially Deafheaven’s 2013 album *Sunbather*.
- Formed
- 2012
- Origin
- Minot, North Dakota, United States
- Field
- Music
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Initially claiming to be from Chongqing, China; blending black metal and post-rock (blackgaze)
Lore & Background
Ghost Bath was formed in 2012 in Minot, North Dakota, fronted by Dennis Mikula. The band originally claimed to be from Chongqing, China, and released their debut studio album Funeral in 2014 on Chinese label Pest Productions. Their second album Moonlover was released in 2015 on German label Northern Silence Productions. Upon gaining increased media attention, including critical acclaim from Pitchfork and Stereogum, the band was revealed to be from North Dakota. When asked why they did not correct the false reports, Mikula stated: 'We refused to correct people because we do not wish to put actual faces onto our music. It is our wish as a band to connect to all human beings.'
Reader's Guide
Ghost Bath is significant for their role in the blackgaze and post-black metal movements, blending the tremolo picking and shrieked vocals of black metal with uplifting melodies and atmospheric qualities of post-rock. Their style has been frequently compared to that of fellow American band Deafheaven, particularly on Deafheaven's 2013 album Sunbather. The band's initial deception about their Chinese origin became a notable part of their early notoriety, drawing attention to their music before the truth emerged. Their discography includes a trilogy of albums beginning with Moonlover (2015), followed by Starmourner (2017) and Self Loather (2021). In 2025, they announced their fifth album, Rose Thorn Necklace, to be released on May 9 via Nuclear Blast. Their legacy lies in their contribution to the fusion of black metal and post-rock, as well as the unusual marketing strategy that sparked discussion about anonymity and authenticity in metal.
Did You Know?
- Ghost Bath initially marketed themselves as being from Chongqing, China, but were actually from Minot, North Dakota.
- Their debut album Funeral was released on Chinese record label Pest Productions.
- The band's second album Moonlover received critical acclaim from Pitchfork and Stereogum.
- Ghost Bath has released four studio albums and one EP as of 2025.
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