In 1984, Carlson and friend Matt Olivo formed the band Tempter, along with original drummer James Auten, through their shared love of heavy metal bandsHellhammer, Venom, Metallica and Slayer, as well as punk rock bands like Discharge. Not soon after, the band began recording demos and tape traded with other music fans all over the world. One such tape trader, was Florida's Chuck Schuldiner, who in 1985 asked Carlson if he would like to join his own band Death. Carlson accepted under the condition that Olivo would be the band's rhythm guitarist. Carlson and Olivo then moved to Florida to join Schuldiner, putting their own band; which had changed its name multiple times before settling on the name Repulsion; at this point consisting of the two and drummer Phill Hines, on hold. However, not soon after, then-Death drummer Kam Lee departed from the band due to creative differences between him and Schuldiner over control of vocal duties. A short time afterwards, Olivo and Carlson moved back to Michigan and reformed Repulsion, along with Dave 'Grave' Hollingshead, who had recently been arrested for grave robbing, where they recorded their debut albumHorrified, along with new guitarist Aaron Freeman. However, not soon after, Repulsion broke up again, when Olivo joined the army. Carlson then join Cathedral briefly, as a touring musician, in 1995.
Superbees, Death Breath, Septic Tank and Church of Misery (1998–present)
In 1998, Carlson joined Los Angeles garage rock band Superbees as guitarist, they recorded one full length album, High Volume, in 2002 and were influenced by Iggy Pop and the MC5. Repulsion then reformed in 2003, making an appearance at Milwaukee Metalfest. In 2005, Nicke Andersson proposed the idea of working together to Carlson, of which he accepted. This project would end up coming into fruition in the form of Death Breath, of which Carlson originally only did guest vocals on a few tracks on their album Stinking Up the Night and EP Let It Stink, however became an official member after the departure of Mange Hedquist, the band's bassist. in 2011, Carlson joined Cathedral once again, this time as an official member, and playing on their tenth and final album The Last Spire. However, from Cathedral's ashes, every one of its final members formed the hardcore punk band Septic Tank, who were heavily influenced by Discharge and Siege, releasing an EP in 2013 and then a full length album in 2018. Carlson also recorded vocals on Japanese doom metal band Church of Misery's 2016 album "And Then There Were Nothing...", however departed not soon after as bassist, Tatsu Mikami, wished to put together a different unit for touring.
