Baroness formed in mid-2003,[1] founded by former members of the punk/metal band Johnny Welfare and the Paychecks.[2] Baroness has remained silent about the origins of their name.[3] Singer John Baizley creates the artwork for all Baroness albums, and has done artwork for other bands and labels such as Darkest Hour, The Red Chord, Vitamin X, Sounds of the Underground tour, Kylesa, Daughters, Torche, Pig Destroyer, and the Magrudergrind/Shitstorm split grindcore CD on Robotic Empire.[4]
From 2004 to 2007, Baroness recorded and released three EPs, named First, Second and A Grey Sigh in a Flower Husk (aka Third), with the third one being a split album with Unpersons.
Baroness started recording their first full-length album on March 2007. The Red Album was released on September 4, 2007[5] and met positive reception. Heavy metal magazine Revolver named it Album of the Year.[6] On December 1, 2007, Baroness performed at New York City's Bowery Ballroom, and the concert was filmed in its entirety and can be viewed on their WoozyFly page.[7] On September 20, 2008, the band announced via MySpace Brian Blickle would be parting ways, while also introducing a new guitarist named Peter Adams, also of Virginia-based band Valkyrie.
On May 18, 2009 Baroness entered The Track Studio in Plano, TX to record their second full length album produced by John Congleton (The Roots, Explosions in the Sky, Black Mountain, The Polyphonic Spree). It was released via Relapse Records on October 13th, 2009.
Baroness is currently supporting Mastodon on their US headlining tour.
In 2010 Baroness played in the Australian Soundwave Festival, alongside bands such as Clutch, ISIS, Meshuggah, Janes Addiction and Faith No More.