Profanatica

Profanatica is a black metal band originally from New York before moving to Connecticut. They are one of the first black metal bands from the United States (alongside Von formed in 1987), and are among the major American black metal bands to have emerged early during the second wave of black metal. Under the direction of Paul Ledney, they have placed profound emphasis on blasphemous themes.

History

Initial formation (1990–1992)

After the founding members of death metal band Incantation split ways due to artistic differences, Paul Ledney, Aragon Amori, and Brett Makowski adopted the name Profanatica while John McEntee continued as Incantation. In an interview, it was implied that Ledney did not recognise the legitimacy of Incantation under McEntee, and he claimed that it was he, Amori, and Makowski who originally proposed the name. He has also claimed that McEntee was reluctant to pursue their interests in black metal, corpse paint, and blasphemous themes. However, both parties have remained on good terms, and have often collaborated.

In the summer of 1990, they released their first demo ''Putrescence Of...'', followed by ''Broken Throne of Christ'' in December. Brett Makowski was unable to participate in the recording of the latter demo, so the band recruited John Gelso to play guitar. Both demo tapes eventually caught the interest of After World Records. The band signed a deal with the label and in 1991 they released ''Weeping in Heaven'' on 7-inch EP, strictly limited to 500 hand-numbered copies. Following the success of this EP, After World chose to re-release it on cassette with two bonus live tracks the following year. Also in 1992, the band signed a deal with French label Osmose Productions to release a second EP. The EP turned out to be a split 12-inch with the Colombian band Masacre.

During this time, Profanatica extensively toured the northeastern United States, often shocking many with their sick and blasphemous live act. As the end of the year approached, Brett Makowski and John Gelso both officially left the band. Paul and Aragon invited Wicked Warlock of Demonic Blasphemy (nowadays known as Ixithra) of the band Demoncy, to perform the guitar work. The three of them played one gig together, and were planned to participate in an American black metal festival that Halloween, appearing with bands such as Order from Chaos, Vital Remains, and Acheron; however, this never took place.

The band entered the studio to record a full-length release, initially entitled ''The Raping of the Virgin Mary'', although in other instances the name was known as ''Sodomy of Sacred Assholes''. The master tapes of these recordings were destroyed (according to Ledney, by Aragon and Ixithra from Demoncy) in the studio, and the band parted ways soon after. Following the end of Profanatica, Ledney formed Havohej. Although Profanatica had split up, several records were released, all of which are official.

Reunion

In early 2001, Paul Ledney recruited two new members and resurrected Profanatica.''Biography''
March 2001, accessed on April 12, 2013. Their first full-length album ''Profanatitas de Domonatia'' was released in 2007 via Hells Headbangers Records, the label which would handle the release and distribution of most of their titles for the next decade. In late 2007, Ledney announced that both Profanatica and Havohej were back, and that Profanatica would headline the Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child Fest Texas the following summer. On August 16, 2010, Profanatica released its second full-length album, ''Disgusting Blasphemies Against God''. On November 26, 2013, Profanatica released their third full-length studio album, ''Thy Kingdom Cum''. Profanatica released their fourth album ''The Curling Flame of Blasphemy'' on July 22, 2016. In 2016, longtime guitarist and bassist John Gelso exited the band and was replaced by Ryan Adams. The band released the EP ''Altar of the Virgin Whore'' on November 2, 2018. The band signed with Season of Mist and released their debut with the label entitled ''Rotting Incarnation of God'' on October 11, 2019. However, the band simultaneously maintained their relationship with Hells Headbangers and released two more EPs with them: 2022's ''Pale Fuck'' and 2025's ''Wreathed in Dead Angels''. Profanatica's sixth full-length (and second with Season of Mist), ''Crux Simplex'', came out on September 22, 2023.

Musical style and ideology

Profanatica's music is influenced by Possessed, old Venom, old Bathory, Hellhammer, Necrovore, and Sarcófago, and is close to death metal. According to both Proscriptor and Tony Laureano, they are among the first American black metal bands,Gunnar Sauermann: ''Verfeindete Brüder''. ''Tod gegen Schwarz – Death oder Black Metal?''. In: ''Metal Hammer'', August 2007, p. 90. although Laureano considers them to be death metal.

In various interviews, Ledney has been critical of prominent early Norwegian black metal bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, and Gorgoroth. He considers American black metal to be stylistically distinct from European black metal, and disparages the European style for lacking death metal and punk influences. Ledney has also expressed his dislike for quiet bass and one-man bands, calling them "lame."

Lineup

Current lineup

* Paul Ledney – drums, vocals (1990–1992, 2001–present)
* Adam Besserer – guitars (2018–present)
* Alletta Ergun – bass (2024–present)

Former members

Guitars:
* Brett Makowski (1990–1992)
* Rod Ware (2001–2006)
* John Gelso (1990–1992, 2006–2016)
* Ryan Adams (2016–2018)

Bass:
* Aragon Amori (1990–1992; died 1996)
* Robert 'Wicked Warlock' Crusen (1992)
* Malcolm Tent (2001–2006), (2023–2024)
* Alex Cox (2006–2018)
* Richard Olseen (2018–2020)
* Pat Davies (2020–2024)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

* ''Profanatitas de Domonatia'' (2007)
* ''Disgusting Blasphemies Against God'' (2010)Leonard Likas
''Disgusting Blasphemies Against God''
Voices from the Darkside, accessed on April 11, 2013.
* ''Thy Kingdom Cum'' (2013)
* ''The Curling Flame of Blasphemy (2016)''
* ''Rotting Incarnation of Christ'' (2019)
* ''Crux Simplex'' (2023)

Compilations

* ''Profanatica – Live'' (2000)
* ''The Enemy of Virtue'' (2006)
* ''Sickened by Holy Host (The Grand Masters Session)'' (2012)

EPs

* ''Weeping in Heaven'' (1991)
* ''Altar of the Virgin Whore'' (2018)
* ''Pale Fuck'' (2022)
* ''Wreathed in Dead Angels'' (2025)

Singles

* ''Broken Jew'' (2002)

Demos

* ''Official Rehearsal Tape'' (1990)
* ''Putrescence Of...'' (re-released in 1993 as ''As Tears of Blood Stain the Altar of Christ'') (1990)
* ''Broken Throne of Christ'' (1990)

Splits

* ''Ola de Violencia/Tormenting Holy Flesh'' (with Masacre, 1992)
* ''Unholy Masters of Darkness'' (with Impiety, 1999)
* ''Trampling the Holy Faith'' (with Goatsodomy, Nuclear Desecration and Unholy Crucifix, 2008)

DVDs

* ''The Enemy of Virtue'' (2008)

References

External links

Official Profanatica Myspace

{{Authority control

1990 establishments in New York (state)
American black metal musical groups
Mixed-gender bands
Musical groups established in 1990
Musical groups from Connecticut