Effective period / Period of releases: 2014 - 2017

Members: Patrick Hotlen

What began as a steadfast expression of the human condition, moves forward with momentum for Madison, WI’s atmospheric doom metal band, Bereft. Founded by Zach Johnson and Alex Linden in 2011, the band is rounded out by Cade Gentry on bass and Patrick Hotlen on drums. Bereft weave elements of doom with black metal and post-metal into exhaustive, dynamic songs. Lyrically, they draw from their views on religion, politics and social injustice. It is in this spirit that they creates their own style of powerful metal, unbound to any genre and fully conscious of the impression.

Bereft released their first demo in 2013 and immediately set out playing shows throughout the Midwest. The following year, they recorded their debut EP, Lost Ages, for War Crime/Silent Pendulum Recordings. CVLT Nation cited that the album “possesses a tendency to allow the racing blasts to carry them into more post-rock passages or a beefy, sludge-ridden pace.”

Shows and tours with Agalloch, Gloom, Downfall of Gaia and North kept the band busy for most of 2015. The band released their follow up "Lands" in 2017.

Alex Linden passed away on December 11, 2021 of undisclosed causes.