Blackguard (band)
Encyclopedia
Blackguard is a melodic death metal
band from Montréal
, Québec
, previously known as Profugus Mortis.
Blackguard issued a four song self-produced demo in March 2005, passing them out for free at metal shows in Montreal. In July that same year Profugus Mortis played the Xtreme Distortion Fest in Montreal with Kataklysm
and Unexpect
, winning the coveted slot as Best Unsigned Band at the event. This translated into a support slot with Sodom
and Finntroll
, which earned Profugus Mortis the opportunity to open for Yngwie Malmsteen at the request of Quebec's Capital du Metal.
Since then Blackguard has supported and toured with numerous acts equally respected the world over, including Lacuna Coil
, Catamenia, Warbringer
, Behemoth
, Therion
, Into Eternity, Ensiferum
, The Agonist
, Cryptopsy
, Krisiun
, Voivod
, Moonsorrow
, Korpiklaani
and Quo Vadis
.
Profugus Mortis' first professional recording was released in March 2007 and was named So it Begins. So it Begins was more a collection of songs showcasing the band's past and their new direction, the album became the best and fastest selling album in their label Prodisk's history. In January 2008 violinist Emilie Livernois was replaced by former Gotherfall guitarist Kim Gosselin.
The band was signed to Nuclear Blast
after being selected as the winners of the label's "MySpace Band Contest". Their first major label debut was entitled Profugus Mortis as a tribute to their past.
Keyboardist Jonathan Lefrancois Leduc left Blackguard in June 2010 right at the end of the Hypocrisy North American Tour
On October 12, 2010 it was announced that Blackguard switched from Nuclear Blast to Victory Records.
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
band from Montréal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Québec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, previously known as Profugus Mortis.
Formation (2001–2008)
Blackguard was formed in 2001 by guitarist Terry Roadcase and drummer Justine "Juice" Éthier as a straight ahead black metal outfit, the Montreal-based sextet - was originally named Profugus Mortis. Blackguard was officially born with the addition of vocalist Paul Ablaze in October 2004, followed a month later by bassist Étienne Mailloux. Staying true to their black metal roots, the new Profugus Mortis turned their sights on a brutal new interpretation of Scandinavian folk metal.Blackguard issued a four song self-produced demo in March 2005, passing them out for free at metal shows in Montreal. In July that same year Profugus Mortis played the Xtreme Distortion Fest in Montreal with Kataklysm
Kataklysm
Kataklysm is a Canadian death metal band. They call their musical style "northern hyperblast" after an advertisement in M.E.A.T. magazine describing another band, Fear Factory, as "hyperblast". The term refers to the extremely fast blast beats that Kataklysm's drummer, Max Duhamel, fuses into the...
and Unexpect
Unexpect
Unexpect is an avant-garde extreme metal band from Montreal, Canada featuring a unique amalgamation of different styles of music, including black metal, death metal, thrash metal, progressive metal, melodic heavy metal, classical music, dark cabaret, opera, medieval music, jazz, funk, electro,...
, winning the coveted slot as Best Unsigned Band at the event. This translated into a support slot with Sodom
Sodom (band)
Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
and Finntroll
Finntroll
Finntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal. Finntroll's lyrics are mostly in Swedish, the only exception being the song "Madon Laulu" on Visor Om Slutet...
, which earned Profugus Mortis the opportunity to open for Yngwie Malmsteen at the request of Quebec's Capital du Metal.
Since then Blackguard has supported and toured with numerous acts equally respected the world over, including Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil is an Italian gothic metal band from Milan. Formed in 1994, the group has had two name changes since being previously known as Sleep of Right and Ethereal and was inspired by the combination of gothic imagery and music...
, Catamenia, Warbringer
Warbringer
Warbringer is an American thrash metal band. The band formed in 2004. Warbringer is signed to Century Media Records. Century Media signed Warbringer after seeing them at a local show in LA. Originally, a Century Media rep was at the show to see another LA thrash metal band but decided to sign...
, Behemoth
Behemoth (band)
Behemoth is a Polish blackened death metal band from Gdańsk, formed in 1991. They are considered to have played an important role in establishing the Polish extreme metal underground, alongside bands such as Vader, Decapitated, Vesania and Hate....
, Therion
Therion (band)
Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. The word "therion" comes from the Greek therion , meaning "Beast," i.e., that of the Christian Book of Revelation...
, Into Eternity, Ensiferum
Ensiferum
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical...
, The Agonist
The Agonist
The Agonist is a Canadian metal band from Montreal, Quebec. Their debut full-length album, Once Only Imagined was released on August 14, 2007. Their second full-length album, Lullabies for the Dormant Mind was released on March 19, 2009. Alissa White-Gluz uses both vocal fry and clean vocals for...
, Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 1988. The band has sold over 300,000 records.-Necrosis :...
, Krisiun
Krisiun
Krisiun is a Brazilian death metal band, founded by Alex Camargo , Moyses Kolesne , and Max Kolesne . Since its formation, in 1990, the group recorded two demos, Evil Age in 1991, and Curse of the Evil One in 1992, and self-released an extended play titled Unmerciful Order in 1993...
, Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
, Moonsorrow
Moonsorrow
Moonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound...
, Korpiklaani
Korpiklaani
Korpiklaani is a folk metal band from Finland who were formerly known as Shaman.-Biography:While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal...
and Quo Vadis
Quo Vadis (band)
Quo Vadis is a technical melodic death metal band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, formed in 1992 by Bart Frydrychowicz, Yanic Bercier, and Arie Itman and is named after the novel by Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz...
.
Profugus Mortis' first professional recording was released in March 2007 and was named So it Begins. So it Begins was more a collection of songs showcasing the band's past and their new direction, the album became the best and fastest selling album in their label Prodisk's history. In January 2008 violinist Emilie Livernois was replaced by former Gotherfall guitarist Kim Gosselin.
The band was signed to Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
after being selected as the winners of the label's "MySpace Band Contest". Their first major label debut was entitled Profugus Mortis as a tribute to their past.
Keyboardist Jonathan Lefrancois Leduc left Blackguard in June 2010 right at the end of the Hypocrisy North American Tour
On October 12, 2010 it was announced that Blackguard switched from Nuclear Blast to Victory Records.
Firefight (2009–present)
As they have been touring over the last several months the band has announced, during the shows, that their new album called "Firefight" is expected for a march 2011 release through Victory Records "Firefight" was released on March 29, 2011.Touring
Blackguard have participated in the following tours:- Paganfest America 2009 (Korpiklaani, Primordial, Moonsorrow, Swashbuckle)
- Summer Slaugther Tour America 2009 (Necrophagist, Suffocation, Ensiferum, Darkest Hour, Winds Of Plague, Dying Fetus, etc.)
- Tour from Afar North America 2009 (Ensiferum, Hypocrisy, Ex Deo)
- Design Your Universe Tour 2010 (Epica, Threat Signal)
- A Taste of Extreme Divinity Tour 2010 (Hypocrisy, Scar Symmetry, Hate, Swashbuckle)
- Pandemonium Over North America 2010 (Kamelot, Leave's Eyes)
- The Obsidian Conspiracy Tour 2010 (NevermoreNevermoreNevermore is an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash, power, progressive, and neo-classical metal into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars and a wide range of vocal styles.-Early years...
, HatesphereHatesphereHatesphere is a Danish death and thrash metal band from Aarhus. The band was formed in 1998 by guitarist Peter “Pepe” Hansen. As of 2010, the band consists of vocalist Esben "Esse" Hansen, guitarists Peter “Pepe” Hansen, and Jakob Nyholm, bass player Jimmy Nedergaard and drummer Mike Park. The band...
, and WarbringerWarbringerWarbringer is an American thrash metal band. The band formed in 2004. Warbringer is signed to Century Media Records. Century Media signed Warbringer after seeing them at a local show in LA. Originally, a Century Media rep was at the show to see another LA thrash metal band but decided to sign...
) - Design Your Universe Tour 2010 2nd American Leg (EpicaEpica (band)Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write...
, Scar SymmetryScar SymmetryScar Symmetry is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Avesta in Dalarna County, formed in 2004. The band has released five albums, with six released singles...
, The AgonistThe AgonistThe Agonist is a Canadian metal band from Montreal, Quebec. Their debut full-length album, Once Only Imagined was released on August 14, 2007. Their second full-length album, Lullabies for the Dormant Mind was released on March 19, 2009. Alissa White-Gluz uses both vocal fry and clean vocals for...
) - God Is Dead, To Hell With God Tour 2011 (DeicideDeicide (band)Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
, Belphegor (band)Belphegor (band)Belphegor is a blackened death metal band from Salzburg, Austria. They originally formed in 1991 under the name Betrayer before changing their name in 1993. They are named after the demon Belphegor.-Early years :...
, Neuraxis (band), and Pathology (band)Pathology (band)Pathology is an American death metal band from San Diego, California, formed in 2006 by drummer Dave Astor .- History :...
) - Firefight Over Europe Tour 2011 (Headlining)
- Symphony X North American Tour 2011 (Symphony XSymphony XSymphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
and Powerglove (band)Powerglove (band)Powerglove is an American power metal band. They are known to play metal versions of classic video game themes. The band is named after the Power Glove, a NES controller accessory.-Early years, Total Pwnage and Metal Kombat :...
) - Otep North American Tour 2011 (Otep, Sister Sin, Destrophy, One Eyed Doll)
- Pandemonium Over North America 2011 (Kamelot, Alestorm, The Agonist)
- Evergrey North American Collision Tour 2011 (Evergrey, Sabaton, Powerglove, The Absence)
Line-up
- Paul "Ablaze" Zinay – lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
(2004–present) - Terry "Roadcase" Deschenes – rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(2001–present) - Étienne Mailloux – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2004–present) - Justine "Juice" Ethier – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion (2001–present) - Kim Gosselin – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(2008–present)
Former members
- Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc (2003–2010) – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s - Émilie Livernois (2003–2007) – violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, live growlsDeath growlA death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death... - Alkin (2001–2004) - vocals
- Mordred (2003–2004) – bass guitar
Studio albums
- So It Begins (2007)
- Profugus Mortis (2009)
- FirefightFirefight (album)-Personnel:Blackguard* Paul "Ablaze" Zinay – lead vocals* Kim Gosselin - lead Guitar, orchestrations* Terry "Roadcase" Deschenes – rhythm guitar* Étienne Mailloux – bass guitar* Justine "Juice" Ethier – drums, percussion- References...
(2011)