Complete List Of Bring Me The Horizon Band Members

Feature Photo: Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bring Me The Horizon emerged from Sheffield, England in March 2004, founded by a group of teenagers with shared musical interests. The band’s name derives from a line in the film “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” where Captain Jack Sparrow says, “Now, bring me that horizon.” Since their inception, they have released seven studio albums, evolving dramatically from their deathcore origins to a sound that incorporates elements of electronic music, pop, and alternative rock. Their discography includes “Count Your Blessings” (2006), “Suicide Season” (2008), “There Is a Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let’s Keep It a Secret.” (2010), “Sempiternal” (2013), “That’s the Spirit” (2015), “Amo” (2019), and “Post Human: Survival Horror” (2020).

Bring Me The Horizon has experienced several lineup changes throughout their career, maintaining four of their original five members to this day: Oliver Sykes (vocals), Lee Malia (lead guitar), Matt Nicholls (drums), and Matt Kean (bass). The band has achieved remarkable commercial success, with multiple albums reaching the top of the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart. Their album “Sempiternal” earned gold certification in the UK, US, and Australia, while “Post Human: Survival Horror” gave them their second UK number one album in 2021. They have received numerous accolades including multiple Kerrang! Awards, a BRIT Award for Best Rock/Alternative Act, and Grammy Award nominations.

The band’s musical evolution has been one of the most dramatic in modern rock, transitioning from their early deathcore sound to a more accessible rock style that incorporates electronic elements. This artistic growth has expanded their audience significantly, allowing them to headline major festivals including Download Festival and perform at venues like Wembley Arena. Despite lineup changes and stylistic shifts, Bring Me The Horizon has maintained a dedicated fanbase and continued to push boundaries within rock music, collaborating with artists across various genres and experimenting with new sounds on each release.

Oliver Sykes

Oliver “Oli” Sykes is the founding vocalist and primary lyricist of Bring Me The Horizon, born on November 20, 1986, in Ashford, Kent, England. Sykes formed the band in 2004 when he was just 17 years old, alongside his friends in Sheffield. As the band’s frontman, Sykes has been present on all of the band’s recordings from their debut EP “This Is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made For” (2004) through their most recent releases. His vocal style has evolved dramatically throughout the band’s career, transitioning from the guttural screams of their early deathcore sound to incorporating clean singing beginning with “Sempiternal” (2013).

Sykes’ lyrical themes have matured alongside the band’s sound, moving from the more simplistic content of their debut album to more introspective and personal topics. On “Sempiternal” and subsequent albums, his lyrics began to explore mental health, addiction, and existential questions. His growing confidence as a vocalist allowed the band to expand their musical horizons, particularly evident on “That’s the Spirit” (2015) where he primarily sang rather than screamed. Sykes has been candid about his personal struggles, including battling addiction prior to the recording of “Sempiternal,” which influenced the band’s lyrical direction.

Outside of music, Sykes is an entrepreneur who founded the clothing brand Drop Dead in 2005, which has grown into a successful fashion label. He has also ventured into other creative projects, including co-creating a graphic novel titled “Raised by Raptors.” Sykes remains the most recognizable face of Bring Me The Horizon, and his artistic vision has been instrumental in guiding the band through their various stylistic evolutions. His presence on social media has helped maintain the band’s connection with fans throughout their transformation from a niche deathcore act to one of the UK’s most successful rock bands.

Matt Nicholls

Matt Nicholls, born on March 22, 1986, in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is the founding drummer of Bring Me The Horizon. Nicholls joined forces with Oliver Sykes in 2004 to create the band, bonding over their shared interest in American metalcore bands like Norma Jean and Skycamefalling. As one of the original members, Nicholls has played on every Bring Me The Horizon release from their “Bedroom Sessions” demo through to their most recent work, providing a consistent rhythmic foundation through the band’s various stylistic transitions.

Nicholls’ drumming style has evolved alongside the band’s sound, adapting from the blast beats and double-bass drumming that characterized their early deathcore days to more nuanced and dynamic playing on later albums. On “Sempiternal” and subsequent releases, he incorporated more electronic elements and programming into his approach, working closely with Jordan Fish to blend acoustic drums with electronic percussion. This adaptability has been crucial to the band’s sonic evolution, allowing them to maintain their intensity while exploring new musical territories.

Beyond his role as drummer, Nicholls has been heavily involved in the band’s merchandise design, including their iconic hexagram symbol that first appeared during the “Sempiternal” era. During the band’s “There Is a Hell” tour in 2011, Nicholls suffered a broken arm while playing football with members of Bring Me The Horizon and supporting bands Parkway Drive and Architects, which required Architects’ drummer Dan Searle to fill in for him on several dates. Despite this setback, Nicholls has remained a steadfast presence in the band, his powerful drumming style serving as a cornerstone of Bring Me The Horizon’s sound across nearly two decades.

Lee Malia

Lee Malia, born on June 4, 1984, is the lead guitarist and founding member of Bring Me The Horizon. Malia joined the band at its inception in 2004, bringing with him a background in thrash metal and melodic death metal. Prior to forming BMTH, Malia had played in a Metallica tribute band, and his influences from bands like Metallica and At The Gates helped shape the band’s early sound. Malia has been the lead guitarist on all of the band’s releases, from their debut EP “This Is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made For” through to their most recent material.

As the band’s primary guitarist, Malia has been instrumental in their musical evolution, adapting his playing style from the aggressive riffs and breakdowns of their deathcore beginnings to more textured and melodic approaches on later albums. He took on increased songwriting responsibilities after the departure of rhythm guitarist Curtis Ward, writing most of the guitar parts for “Suicide Season” (2008). On “Sempiternal” (2013), Malia collaborated closely with Jordan Fish and Oliver Sykes to create a more atmospheric sound that incorporated electronic elements while maintaining the band’s heaviness.

Malia is known for his distinctive guitar tone and use of Gibson guitars, particularly Les Paul models. He has released signature models with ESP Guitars and has been endorsed by Orange Amplifiers. Throughout the band’s career, Malia has been a consistent creative force, providing the guitar foundation that anchors the band’s sound even as they’ve incorporated more diverse influences. His ability to blend heavy riffs with more atmospheric playing has been crucial to Bring Me The Horizon’s successful transition from a deathcore band to a more mainstream rock act with electronic and experimental elements.

Matt Kean

Matt Kean is the bassist and founding member of Bring Me The Horizon, completing the original lineup in 2004. Before joining BMTH, Kean was already active in other local bands in the Sheffield area. As the band’s bassist, Kean has played on all of Bring Me The Horizon’s releases, from their “Bedroom Sessions” demo through to their most recent work, providing a solid low-end foundation that has anchored the band through their various sonic explorations.

Kean’s bass playing has evolved alongside the band’s sound, moving from the aggressive, metal-influenced style of their early days to a more nuanced approach on later albums. On “Sempiternal” and subsequent releases, his bass work became more textured and dynamic, supporting the band’s increasingly diverse sonic palette. Unlike some bassists who stay in the background, Kean’s contributions are distinct elements in the band’s compositions, particularly evident in tracks from their more recent albums where the bass lines help drive the songs forward.

While generally less outspoken than frontman Oliver Sykes, Kean has been a constant presence throughout the band’s career and an essential part of their live performances. His reliability and consistent playing have helped maintain the band’s rhythm section integrity throughout nearly two decades of evolution and success. In interviews, Kean has reflected on the band’s journey, noting how none of them had recording experience before their first EP and how they’ve grown both musically and personally since the band’s formation.

Curtis Ward

Curtis Ward was one of the founding members of Bring Me The Horizon, joining in 2004 as the rhythm guitarist alongside lead guitarist Lee Malia. Ward, who resided in the Rotherham area like several other band members, was part of the original lineup that created the band’s “Bedroom Sessions” demo and their debut EP “This Is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made For” (2004). He performed on the band’s first studio album “Count Your Blessings” (2006) and their second album “Suicide Season” (2008), though his creative contribution to the latter was minimal.

Ward’s time with Bring Me The Horizon came to an end in March 2009 during the band’s Taste of Chaos tour. His departure stemmed from multiple factors, including his increasing dissatisfaction with touring life and the band’s demanding schedule. According to statements from bandmates, Ward struggled with being away from home for extended periods and wasn’t enjoying performing live as much as the others. Additionally, he contributed little to the writing process for “Suicide Season,” with guitarist Lee Malia writing most of the guitar parts. Ward was also born deaf in one ear, and the band’s performances were exacerbating tinnitus in his functioning ear.

After leaving Bring Me The Horizon, Ward has occasionally reunited with the band for special performances, most notably at Wembley Arena in 2015 and Camden Underworld in 2014, where he played their early track “Pray For Plagues.” In 2016, he joined the band Counting Days. Before that, he reportedly worked on the TV show Top Gear. Despite the circumstances of his departure, Ward appears to have maintained a cordial relationship with his former bandmates, as evidenced by these guest appearances years after leaving the group.

Jona Weinhofen

Jona Weinhofen, born on January 1, 1983, in Australia, joined Bring Me The Horizon as their rhythm guitarist in 2009, replacing Curtis Ward. Before joining BMTH, Weinhofen was already an established figure in the metalcore scene, having been a founding member of I Killed the Prom Queen and a guitarist for Bleeding Through from 2007 to 2009. His experience and technical abilities made him a natural fit for Bring Me The Horizon as they continued to develop their sound beyond their deathcore roots.

Weinhofen played on Bring Me The Horizon’s third album, “There Is a Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let’s Keep It a Secret.” (2010), contributing about 25% of the guitar riffs according to his own account. He was also involved in the early recording sessions for “Sempiternal” (2013), though the band’s creative process had changed by this point, with more “closed door writing sessions” between Oliver Sykes, Lee Malia, and newly introduced member Jordan Fish. Weinhofen left Bring Me The Horizon in January 2013 for undisclosed reasons, though there were reported tensions between him and certain members of the band.

After his departure from Bring Me The Horizon, Weinhofen returned to I Killed the Prom Queen full-time, which released their album “Beloved” in 2014. In September 2021, he joined the band Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S.). Despite the circumstances of his exit from BMTH, Weinhofen later spoke positively about the band’s evolution, commenting that he thought their songwriting was “fantastic” when asked about the album “That’s The Spirit” (2015). His technical guitar playing and experience in the metalcore scene made him a significant contributor during a transitional period in Bring Me The Horizon’s development.

Jordan Fish

Jordan Fish, born in West Berkshire, England, became a member of Bring Me The Horizon in early 2013, initially joining as a session musician during the writing process for the album “Sempiternal” before being announced as a full member. Prior to joining BMTH, Fish was part of the electronic band Worship from 2010 to 2013. His introduction to Bring Me The Horizon came when Oliver Sykes, who was a fan of Fish’s previous work, invited him to add electronic elements to their recordings, a role that expanded as Fish became more involved in the songwriting process.

Fish’s impact on Bring Me The Horizon’s sound was immediate and significant. He contributed keyboards, electronic programming, and backing vocals, helping to reshape the band’s sound on “Sempiternal” (2013), “That’s the Spirit” (2015), “Amo” (2019), and “Post Human: Survival Horror” (2020). His background in electronic music brought new dimensions to the band’s compositions, allowing them to incorporate elements of pop, electronic, and ambient music into their metalcore foundation. Fish was named Keyboardist of the Year by Alternative Press following his work on “Sempiternal,” recognizing his important contribution to the band’s evolution.

Beyond his work with Bring Me The Horizon, Fish has collaborated with other artists as a producer and engineer, including Machine Head, Robin Trower, Puscifer, and One Ok Rock. In December 2023, after 11 years with the band, Bring Me The Horizon announced that Fish was no longer a member. Following his departure, Fish began working with bands such as Spiritbox, Architects, and House of Protection. During his tenure, Fish played a crucial role in the band’s artistic development, helping them transcend their metalcore origins and achieve mainstream success with a more diverse and accessible sound.

Sources:

Bring Me The Horizon – Wikipedia
Jordan Fish – Wikipedia
Jona Weinhofen – Wikipedia
Various interviews and articles from music publications

Bring Me The Horizon: The Journey from Sheffield to Global Rock Phenomenon

Oliver Sykes

Matt Nicholls

Lee Malia

Matt Kean

Curtis Ward

Jona Weinhofen

Jordan Fish

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