Bloody Panda

Lore & Background

Bloody Panda was formed in 2003 when Yoshiko Ohara, an established visual artist from Osaka, Japan, spent her savings on a trip to New York City with new recording equipment, intending to make music despite not knowing how to play any instrument. She posted advertisements seeking band members with 'dark personalities,' which attracted guitarist Josh Rothenberger, bassist Bryan Camphire, drummer Michael Harriff, organist Blake McDowell, and later drummer/percussionist Dan Weiss.

Between 2005 and 2006, the quintet performed around New York City opening for acts such as Akron/Family, Genghis Tron, and Mouth of the Architect. College Music Journal noted their daring stage shows, where they performed in executioner's hoods and robes, amplifying their Yoko Ono-meets-Black Sabbath riff work. They released a split album with Kayo Dot in early 2007 and recorded a cover of Eyehategod's 'Anxiety Hangover' for a tribute album.

Their debut album, Pheromone, was released in April 2007 on Level Plane Records, produced by Jason Marcucci. Decibel magazine described it as 'moody,' and PopMatters noted Ohara's vocals in English and Japanese as entrancing, emphasizing mood over message. Their second album, Summon, followed in 2009 on Profound Lore, with Terrorizer commenting that the band demands complete attention despite being too experimental to win hearts.

Reader's Guide

Bloody Panda occupies a distinctive niche in the American doom metal scene, notable for its unconventional origins and cross-cultural fusion. Founder Yoshiko Ohara's lack of musical training and background as a visual artist brought an outsider perspective to the genre, resulting in a sound that blended heavy, slow riffs with ethereal, chant-like vocals. The band's stage presentation—executioner's hoods and robes—reinforced their atmospheric, ritualistic approach, drawing comparisons to both Yoko Ono and Black Sabbath.

Their debut album Pheromone, produced by Jason Marcucci (known for work with The Flaming Lips and The White Stripes), was anticipated as one of 2007's most awaited full-lengths in underground metal. The album's emphasis on mood over lyrical clarity, with Ohara singing in both English and Japanese, set them apart from more conventional doom acts. Their second album Summon continued this experimental trajectory, earning a reputation for demanding listeners' full attention.

Though Bloody Panda never achieved mainstream success, their legacy lies in their boundary-pushing approach within extreme music, bridging visual art, world music percussion, and doom metal. Their split with Kayo Dot and inclusion on the Eyehategod tribute album further cemented their place in avant-garde metal circles.

Did You Know?

• Founder Yoshiko Ohara did not know how to play any instrument when she decided to move to New York City to make music.
• The band performed in executioner's hoods and robes during live shows.
• Their debut album Pheromone was produced by Jason Marcucci, who had previously worked with The Flaming Lips and The White Stripes.
• Before Bloody Panda, three members (Josh Rothenberger, Bryan Camphire, Michael Harriff) were in a prog metal band called Oryx that disbanded after failing to find a vocalist.