# Probot > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Probot > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Probot.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probot > Source revision: 1340809106 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) This article is about the heavy metal band. For the droids from Star Wars, see [Imperial probe droid](/source/Imperial_probe_droid). 2004 studio album by Probot Probot The album's cover art was created by Voivod drummer Michel Langevin. Studio album by Probot Released February 10, 2004 Recorded 2000–2003 Genre Heavy metal, thrash metal, groove metal, crossover thrash, doom metal Length 52:18 Label Southern Lord (SUNN30) Singles from Probot "Centuries of Sin" Released: November 2003 "Shake Your Blood" Released: December 2003 **Probot** was a [heavy metal](/source/Heavy_metal_music) recording project led by American musician [Dave Grohl](/source/Dave_Grohl), as a [side project](/source/Side_project) from his primary group [Foo Fighters](/source/Foo_Fighters). The album was released in February 2004. Described by Grohl as "a [death metal](/source/Death_metal) *[Supernatural](/source/Supernatural_(Santana_album))*", the album mixes instrumentals recorded mainly by Grohl along with various metal singers he admired. The album featured two [singles](/source/Single_(music)): "Centuries of Sin" backed with "The Emerald Law", and "Shake Your Blood". A music video was released for the latter. Critical reception was mixed to positive, and the album was a modest commercial success globally. ## Background After years of popularity in the [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock) scene, Dave Grohl wanted to express his longtime passion for heavy metal music. He mentioned the catalyst of the experience being during the first leg of the tour in support of the [Foo Fighters](/source/Foo_Fighters) album *[There Is Nothing Left to Lose](/source/There_Is_Nothing_Left_to_Lose)* (1999), with the mellower songs making him think about the heavier bands he used to listen to. Following the tour, Grohl went to his house in [Alexandria, Virginia](/source/Alexandria%2C_Virginia), to record some heavier songs in Studio 606, his home recording facility, with engineer [Adam Kasper](/source/Adam_Kasper). Grohl would play with his [Gibson Explorer](/source/Gibson_Explorer) through a small [Peavey](/source/Peavey_Electronics) amp as he watched TV with Kasper, and once he got a [riff](/source/Guitar_riff) that interested him, he would bring Kasper along to the basement, recording a drum arrangement followed by bass and guitar.[1] Each [instrumental](/source/Instrumental) would take about 45 minutes to complete. Grohl said that he did not intend to make an album out of the recordings – "I didn’t even call them songs because they were bare instrumentals with no intention of putting vocals on them and no direction as an actual song."[2] After four days of recording, Grohl and Kasper had done seven tracks, with Grohl making some copies out of the master tape before labeling it Probot to distinguish from the Foo Fighters' work.[1] [Dave Grohl](/source/Dave_Grohl) played the majority of instruments on the album, including all of the drum tracks. Some time later, Grohl was inspired by the [Santana](/source/Santana_(band)) album *[Supernatural](/source/Supernatural_(Santana_album))* (1999), which featured veteran guitarist [Carlos Santana](/source/Carlos_Santana) collaborating with a variety of singers. Grohl decided to attempt collaborations with singers he had idolized.[3] He came up with "my wish list of all of my favorite singers from this era which is '82 to '89 [underground](/source/Underground_music) metal, and all the bands I listened to at the time: [Eric Wagner](/source/Eric_Wagner) from [Trouble](/source/Trouble_(band)), [Snake](/source/Denis_B%C3%A9langer) from [Voivod](/source/Voivod_(band)), [Cronos](/source/Conrad_Lant) [from [Venom](/source/Venom_(band))], [Lemmy](/source/Lemmy) and [Wino](/source/Scott_Weinrich)," and started contacting the musicians,[4] some of whom were reached by Grohl's friend [Matt Sweeney](/source/Matt_Sweeney) given the Foo Fighters had restarted their tour.[1] Grohl feared his fame built out of being "a stupid, middle-of-the-road, alternative-rock idiot" could drive the metal singers away, but many agreed immediately.[3] Cronos would later explain that "I'm open for everything. And Dave's cool," detailing that Grohl's email opened with "a real fan letter" where he mentioned his longtime appreciation of Venom, and then explained about his idea of a metal album with all his metal heroes "to get something off his chest."[5] Seeing the positive response, Grohl brought Kasper and Sweeney back to do five more instrumental tracks and round out the project.[3] According to Grohl, he was invited to write songs for [Ozzy Osbourne](/source/Ozzy_Osbourne)'s album *[Down to Earth](/source/Down_to_Earth_(Ozzy_Osbourne_album))* (2001). When Grohl's songs were ultimately not used for Osbourne, he repurposed them for Probot where they were sung by Eric Wagner and King Diamond.[6] Sweeney would organize the project as Grohl toured with the Foo Fighters, contacting vocalists and organizing recording sessions.[7] Then the demo tapes were sent to the singers, each of whom was asked to come up with lyrics, record them and title the song.[8] Cronos detailed he wrote three different versions of the song so Grohl could choose one.[5] ## Production and style From top to bottom: [Kim Thayil](/source/Kim_Thayil) and [Matt Sweeney](/source/Matt_Sweeney) played additional guitar parts on the album. [Cronos](/source/Conrad_Lant) and [Lemmy](/source/Lemmy) played bass guitar on the songs they sang, while [Wino](/source/Scott_Weinrich) and [Jack Black](/source/Jack_Black) played guitar on the tracks on which they sang. On the album, Grohl teamed up with heavy metal vocalists from 1980s and 1990s bands who influenced his musical tastes while he was growing up. Similar to 1995's *[Foo Fighters](/source/Foo_Fighters_(album))*, Grohl wrote all of the music and performed most of the instrumentation. Each track on the album features a different lead singer including [Lemmy](/source/Lemmy), [Max Cavalera](/source/Max_Cavalera), [King Diamond](/source/King_Diamond) and [Tom Warrior](/source/Tom_Warrior). Grohl described the sequencing as "like a compilation tape that I would have made as a kid."[9] Only Lemmy and Wino visited Studio 606 to record, with all the others sending tapes from studio to studio until the album was finished. [Soundgarden](/source/Soundgarden) guitarist [Kim Thayil](/source/Kim_Thayil) plays additional guitar on two tracks thanks to Kasper, who had brought the Probot tapes to Seattle and they attracted Thayil's interest. Grohl was pleased with the addition as Thayil had more experience with [lead guitars](/source/Lead_guitar), while Grohl was "more about the [riff](/source/Riff) and the [rhythm](/source/Rhythm_guitar)".[1] A bonus track titled "I Am The Warlock" was provided by comedian/actor/musician [Jack Black](/source/Jack_Black_(actor)). According to Black, who described the song as "a homage to '[Iron Man](/source/Iron_Man_(song)).'" after Grohl approached him regarding writing lyrics, Black's wife [Tanya Haden](/source/Tanya_Haden) suggested "it should be about a fucked up relationship," so Black made it about a [warlock](/source/Magician_(fantasy)).[10] Grohl also approached [death metal](/source/Death_metal) legend [Chuck Schuldiner](/source/Chuck_Schuldiner) of [Death](/source/Death_(metal_band)) to contribute to Probot. However, Schuldiner was struggling with [brain cancer](/source/Brain_cancer) and was unable to be involved despite the efforts of Grohl and others to raise funds for his medical treatment.[11] Grohl also attempted to get [Slayer](/source/Slayer)'s lead singer [Tom Araya](/source/Tom_Araya) on the album, but scheduling conflicts prevented collaboration.[12] Grohl subsequently invited [Kurt Brecht](/source/Kurt_Brecht) from [D.R.I.](/source/Dirty_Rotten_Imbeciles)[13] Grohl mentioned he and Sweeney had discussed and considered a lot of different singers, including the retired Jeff Becerra of [Possessed](/source/Possessed_(band)), [Chuck Billy](/source/Chuck_Billy) from [Testament](/source/Testament_(band)), [Pantera](/source/Pantera)'s [Phil Anselmo](/source/Phil_Anselmo), and the vocalists from [Kreator](/source/Kreator), [Destruction](/source/Destruction_(band)), [Hirax](/source/Hirax) and [Candlemass](/source/Candlemass_(band)).[6] Sweeney vetoed [Unleashed](/source/Unleashed_(band))'s Johnny Hedlund, who at the time was rumored to be a [Nazi](/source/Nazism) sympathizer.[14] In a 2007 interview for *[Guitar World](/source/Guitar_World)* magazine, Grohl was asked about the future of Probot. He explained that the idea behind Probot had been successfully realized and he doubted it would continue in any form.[15] ## Release Despite Grohl's label Roswell having a deal with [RCA Records](/source/RCA_Records), he knew such an unorthodox project featuring [cult](/source/Cult_following) musicians of the metal scene would not be easily accepted by [major labels](/source/Major_label). RCA was interested at first, but later Grohl decided to follow the spirit of the original bands "on independent, punk-rock [do it yourself](/source/DIY_ethic) [labels](/source/Independent_record_label)."[9] Grohl's friend [Pete Stahl](/source/Pete_Stahl) suggested [Southern Lord Records](/source/Southern_Lord_Records), which was founded by [Greg Anderson](/source/Greg_Anderson_(guitarist)).[16] The album is available as a single CD and a double LP (available on red and black vinyl). Southern Lord released a double A-sided single, "Centuries of Sin/The Emerald Law" in a limited edition of 6,666 on 7" vinyl only. It is available on black, green, red & red/black swirl vinyl, and sold out shortly after release.[17] The album artwork was created by musician [Away (Michel Langevin)](/source/Michel_Langevin) of [Voivod](/source/Voivod_(band)).[13] ## Reception Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating Allmusic [18] Blender [19] Entertainment Weekly B− [20] Pitchfork Media 7.0/10[21] PopMatters favorable[22] Rolling Stone [23] Spin [24] Stylus Magazine A[25] Critical reception to the Probot album was largely positive with few recurring complaints; [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) shows a 72/100 critic rating based on 21 reviews. *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* declared it as "the year's first great metal album," while *[Blender](/source/Blender_(magazine))* reported, "Unlike similar records... this has a unity of aesthetic purpose, a competitive wallop, even (kind of) a seriousness." David Browne of *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* gave *Probot* a B− rating. He notes, "For a lark, it aims for (and hits) a few bull's-eyes, including the whiplashing 'The Emerald Law' and the [post-apocalyptic](/source/Post-apocalyptic) death march 'Ice Cold Man'." However, Browne comments how the mystery and thrill of vintage metal bands is "largely gone" with many lyrics on *Probot* sounding "more amusing than menacing" and even "unintentionally funny." He sums it up as "lying somewhere between homage and howler." *Probot* earned an A rating in [*Stylus* magazine](/source/Stylus_Magazine) as well as the title of StylusMagazine.com's Album of the Week for February 8–14, 2004. Scott McKeating's extensive review describes how "Probot balances the grit with the sonic polish without lapsing into [Metallica](/source/Metallica)'s *[Metallica](/source/Metallica_(album))*. This is metal that demands banging, shaking and stamping." He commends the ambition of its overall conception, noting, "Very few [artists] go as far as Grohl and actually create something vital and new in their mid-thirties from their teenage obsessions. . . *Probot* is an inspirational record in every sense." Adrien Begrand of [PopMatters](/source/PopMatters) describes it as "One of the coolest ideas for an album in a long time, Grohl has put together a record that not only serves as a sincere tribute to the metal and hardcore bands of his youth, but features all his favorite vocalists as well." He gave a favorable review but heavily discussed Grohl's guitar skills and songwriting as lacking: "The biggest problem on the album is Grohl's complete lack of inventiveness as a guitar player. . . Had Dave Grohl used more guest musicians instead of trying to do everything himself, *Probot* would have been much better." Despite these criticisms, Begrand considers it "impossible not to like this album, mistakes and all." Awarding a 4/5 rating, [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)'s Alex Henderson emphasizes the wide variety of genres featured on *Probot* and adds, "Whatever the style of metal that he is embracing, Grohl's drumming is passionate throughout this fine album, which is as rewarding as it is unpredictable." ## "Shake Your Blood" Although Grohl recorded the guitar and drums himself, Lemmy performed his own [bass](/source/Bass_guitar) and wrote the lyrics to "Shake Your Blood". He noted, "I wrote the lyrics in about ten minutes. . . It's rock & roll, you know. It's not one of those complicated things."[4] The song bears strong resemblance to Lemmy's style and was considered "a terrific Motörhead clone" by Adrien Begrand of [PopMatters](/source/PopMatters). The "Shake Your Blood" [music video](/source/Music_video) was filmed in November 2003 and released shortly thereafter. It features an appearance by 66 women from the [SuicideGirls](/source/SuicideGirls) adult entertainment website. The music video also appears on the extras section on the movie SuicideGirls: The First Tour. In the video, the band is represented with Dave Grohl on [drums](/source/Drum_kit), Lemmy on lead vocals and bass, and [Wino](/source/Scott_Weinrich) (who sang on the Probot track "The Emerald Law") on lead guitar. Lemmy regarded the performance as "just like a tour in the '60s, when things were a lot more fun."[4] ## Live performances [Foo Fighters](/source/Foo_Fighters) performed "Shake Your Blood" live with Lemmy at their 2006 [Hyde Park](/source/Hyde_Park%2C_London) (UK) show, and on June 18, 2011, at Foo Fighters concert in Berlin. "My Tortured Soul" was performed live on *Headbangers' Ball* in 2004, with [Eric Wagner](/source/Eric_Wagner) on lead vocals, Grohl on drums, Wino on lead guitar, [Greg Anderson](/source/Greg_Anderson_(guitarist)) (of [Goatsnake](/source/Goatsnake) and [Sunn O)))](/source/Sunn_O))))) on [rhythm guitar](/source/Rhythm_guitar), and Foo Fighters producer [Nick Raskulinecz](/source/Nick_Raskulinecz) on bass guitar. This performance is available on the compilation album *[MTV2 Headbangers Ball, Vol. 2](/source/MTV2_Headbangers_Ball%2C_Vol._2)*. [Soulfly](/source/Soulfly) has also been known to play "Red War" live as recently as 2009.[26] "Ice Cold Man" has also been played by Cathedral on their 2004 tour. "Centuries of Sin" has also been played by Venom on their 2009 tour in South America. ## Track listing All music is composed by [Dave Grohl](/source/Dave_Grohl). No. Title Lyrics and Vocals Length 1. "Centuries of Sin" (feat. Cronos of Venom) Cronos 4:10 2. "Red War" (feat. Max Cavalera of Sepultura and Soulfly) Cavalera 3:30 3. "Shake Your Blood" (feat. Lemmy of Motörhead) Lemmy 3:00 4. "Access Babylon" (feat. Mike Dean of Corrosion of Conformity) Dean 1:24 5. "Silent Spring" (feat. Kurt Brecht of Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) Brecht 3:28 6. "Ice Cold Man" (feat. Lee Dorrian of Cathedral and Napalm Death, and Kim Thayil of Soundgarden) Dorrian 5:53 7. "The Emerald Law" (feat. Wino of Saint Vitus and The Obsessed) Wino 5:33 8. "Big Sky" (feat. Tom G. Warrior of Celtic Frost) Tom G. Warrior 4:51 9. "Dictatosaurus" (feat. Snake of Voivod) Snake 3:52 10. "My Tortured Soul" (feat. Eric Wagner of Trouble) Wagner 5:00 11. "Sweet Dreams" (feat. King Diamond of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate, and Kim Thayil of Soundgarden; the song "Sweet Dreams" ends at minute 5:26. After 3 minutes and 30 seconds of silence, at minute 8:56 begins the hidden song "I Am the Warlock", featuring Jack Black of Tenacious D) King Diamond 12:06 ## Personnel The singers featured on *Probot* are, from top to bottom: Cronos, Max Cavalera, Lemmy, Mike Dean, Kurt Brecht, Lee Dorrian, Wino, Tom G. Warrior, Snake, Eric Wagner, King Diamond, and Jack Black. - [Dave Grohl](/source/Dave_Grohl) – all instruments except where noted - [Kim Thayil](/source/Kim_Thayil) – additional guitar (tracks 6, 11) - [Cronos](/source/Conrad_Lant) – lead vocals, bass (track 1) - [Max Cavalera](/source/Max_Cavalera) – lead vocals (track 2) - [Lemmy](/source/Lemmy) – lead vocals, bass (track 3) - [Mike Dean](/source/Mike_Dean_(musician)) – lead vocals (track 4) - [Kurt Brecht](/source/Kurt_Brecht) – lead vocals (track 5) - [Lee Dorrian](/source/Lee_Dorrian) – lead vocals (track 6) - [Scott "Wino" Weinrich](/source/Scott_Weinrich) – lead vocals, lead guitar (track 7) - [Tom G. Warrior](/source/Thomas_Gabriel_Fischer) – lead vocals (track 8) - [Denis "Snake" Bélanger](/source/Denis_B%C3%A9langer) – lead vocals (track 9) - [Eric Wagner](/source/Eric_Wagner) – lead vocals (track 10) - [King Diamond](/source/King_Diamond) – lead vocals (track 11) - [Jack Black](/source/Jack_Black) – lead vocals, guitar (hidden track) - Bubba Dupree ([Void](/source/Void_(band))) – guitar (track 4) - [Erol Unala](/source/Erol_Unala) ([Apollyon Sun](/source/Apollyon_Sun), [Celtic Frost](/source/Celtic_Frost)) – guitar (track 8) - [Matt Sweeney](/source/Matt_Sweeney) – additional guitar (track 9) - [Stephen O'Malley](/source/Stephen_O'Malley) – Design - [Michel "Away" Langevin](/source/Michel_Langevin) – Cover Art ## Charts ### Album charts Chart (2004) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[27] 34 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[28] 59 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[29] 77 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[30] 32 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[31] 36 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[32] 43 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[33] 12 UK Albums (OCC)[34] 34 US Billboard 200[35] 68 ### Singles charts Year Single Peak positions UK [36] 2004 "Centuries of Sin" 91 ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-gw_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-gw_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-gw_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-gw_1-3) [Man of Steel](http://www.fooarchive.com/features/guitarworld04.htm) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-ew_2-0)** ["Building The Perfect Probot"](http://www.ew.com/article/2004/02/13/building-perfect-probot). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180824135143/https://ew.com/article/2004/02/13/building-perfect-probot/) from the original on August 24, 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mtv_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mtv_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-mtv_3-2) [Dave Grohl Preps A ‘Death Metal Supernatural‘ With Probot](https://web.archive.org/web/20150501085717/http://www.mtv.com/news/1438589/dave-grohl-preps-a-death-metal-supernatural-with-probot/) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rs_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rs_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-rs_4-2) Appleford, Steven [Dave Grohl Drums Up Probot](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dave-grohl-drums-up-probot-20040206) *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* (February 6, 2004). Retrieved on 2-13-09. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cronos_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cronos_5-1) [VENOM Singer Comments On PROBOT Project: 'This Was Heavy Shit!'](http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/venom-singer-comments-on-probot-project-this-was-heavy-shit/#v5g5GlmYxmAUy8WW.99) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ozzy_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ozzy_6-1) ["DAVE GROHL Responds to ZAKK WYLDE's Threat"](http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dave-grohl-responds-to-zakk-wylde-s-threat/). February 11, 2004. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Dave Grohl's League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen](http://www.fooarchive.com/features/terrorizer04.htm) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Dave Grohl Readies Metal Side Project](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dave-grohl-readies-metal-side-project-20001109#ixzz3XaNTZaY8), Rolling Stone 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bill_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bill_9-1) [DIY Spirit Led Grohl's Probot to Indie Label](https://books.google.com/books?id=hA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19), Billboard 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Black and Grohl: Back together](http://www.fooarchive.com/probot/probot_jbkerrang.jpg) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [*Chuck Schuldiner: Biography*, Billboard.com](https://www.billboard.com/artist/chuck-schuldiner), (retrieved February 18, 2011) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [*Dave Grohl Explains Tom Araya's Absence From Probot CD*](http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dave-grohl-explains-tom-araya-s-absence-from-probot-cd/) Jan. 11, 2004 [Blabbermouth.net](/source/Blabbermouth.net) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-visions_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-visions_13-1) [The Fan Has Won](http://www.fooarchive.com/features/visionsprobot03.htm) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["UNLEASHED: We Are Not Nazi Sympathizers!"](http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/unleashed-we-are-not-nazi-sympathizers/). *BLABBERMOUTH.NET*. October 23, 2002. Retrieved August 1, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** "Dear Guitar Hero". *Guitar World*. **28** (12). Future US: 78. December 2007. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1045-6295](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1045-6295). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Heavy Mettle](http://www.fooarchive.com/probot/probottimeout.htm), *[Time Out](/source/Time_Out_(magazine))* (2004). Retrieved on 2-14-08. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["PROBOT – Centuries of Sin"](http://www.southernlord.com/press/probot/). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Allmusicreview_18-0)** ["Probot – Probot | Allmusic"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/r677482/review). *[Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)*. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** *Blender* March 2004, p.127 1. **[^](#cite_ref-EWreview_20-0)** Browne, David (February 16, 2004). ["Probot Review | Music Reviews and News"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121008031508/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,590739,00.html). [Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly). Archived from [the original](http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,590739,00.html) on October 8, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-PFreview_21-0)** Leone, Dominique (February 15, 2004). ["Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Probot: Probot"](http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/6536-probot/). [Pitchfork Media](/source/Pitchfork_Media). Retrieved June 16, 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Popreview_22-0)** Begrand, Adrien (February 13, 2004). ["Probot: self-titled