{{Short description|American black metal band}} {{Use American English|date=August 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Profanatica | image = | caption = | alias = | origin = New Paltz, New York, U.S. | genre = Black metal,<ref name="darkside7056">{{cite web |title=PROFANATICA |url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/PROFANATICA--7056.html |website=Voices from the Darkside |accessdate=April 11, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616024836/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/PROFANATICA--7056.html |archivedate=June 16, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{nowrap|blackened death metal<ref name="Banger">{{cite journal |last1=Dunn |first1=Sam |last2=Deaville |first2=Jason |title=Blackened Death Metal |date=2016 |author1-link=Sam Dunn }}</ref>}} | years_active = 1990–1992<ref name=darkside7056 /><br />2001–present | label = After World, Osmose,<ref name=darkside7056 /> {{nowrap|Hells Headbangers}}<ref name=darkside7055 /> | spinoff_of = Incantation | website = | current_members = Paul Ledney<br />Adam Besserer<br />Alletta Ergun | past_members = See below }} '''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.<ref name=darkside7055>{{cite web |last1=Stöver |first1=Frank |title=PROFANATICA |url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/PROFANATICA--7055.html |website=Voices from the Darkside |accessdate=April 11, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616025145/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/PROFANATICA--7055.html |archivedate=June 16, 2013 |language=en |url-status=dead}}</ref>
== 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.<ref name=darkside7056 /> 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.<ref name=darkside7056 />
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.<ref name=darkside7056 />
The band entered the studio to record a full-length release, initially entitled ''The Raping of the Virgin Mary'',<ref name=darkside7056 /> although in other instances the name was known as ''Sodomy of Sacred Assholes''.<ref name=darkside7055 /> The master tapes of these recordings were destroyed (according to Ledney, by Aragon and Ixithra from Demoncy<ref name=darkside7055 />) in the studio, and the band parted ways soon after.<ref name=darkside7056 /> Following the end of Profanatica, Ledney formed Havohej.<ref name=darkside7055 /> Although Profanatica had split up, several records were released, all of which are official.<ref name=darkside7055 />
=== Reunion === In early 2001, Paul Ledney recruited two new members and resurrected Profanatica.<ref name=bio>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020312210432/http://www.geocities.com/xytraguptorh/blackvomit/bio.html ''Biography''], March 2001, accessed on April 12, 2013.</ref> 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.<ref name=darkside7055 /> 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.<ref name=darkside7055 /> 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''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ztmag.com/blog/news/?p=17037 |title=Profanatica:'Thy Kingdom Cum' To Be Released In November | Zt Mag Featured News |publisher=Ztmag.com |date=August 19, 2013 |accessdate=July 29, 2014}}</ref> 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,<ref name=darkside7056 /> old Venom,<ref name=darkside7056 /><ref name=bio /> old Bathory,<ref name=darkside7056 /><ref name=bio /> Hellhammer,<ref name=darkside7056 /> Necrovore,<ref name=darkside7055 /><ref name=bio /> and Sarcófago,<ref name=bio /> and is close to death metal. According to both Proscriptor and Tony Laureano, they are among the first American black metal bands,<ref>Gunnar Sauermann: ''Special: Black Metal in den USA''. ''Schwarzes Amerika''. In: ''Metal Hammer'', August 2007, p. 87f.</ref><ref name=laureano>Gunnar Sauermann: ''Verfeindete Brüder''. ''Tod gegen Schwarz – Death oder Black Metal?''. In: ''Metal Hammer'', August 2007, p. 90.</ref> although Laureano considers them to be death metal.<ref name=laureano />
In various interviews, Ledney has been critical of prominent early Norwegian black metal bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, and Gorgoroth.<ref name="Interview one">{{cite web |title=Paul Ledney of Profanatica steam rolling the false Black metalists |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53wG8iC6lWY |website=YouTube |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=17 July 2023}}</ref> He considers American black metal to be stylistically distinct from European black metal,<ref name="Interview two">{{cite web |title=PAUL LEDNEY Of PROFANATICA On "Wreathed In Dead Angels", Black Metal’s Evolution And More |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFzjbIWIHKs |website=YouTube |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=15 April 2025}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Interview three">{{cite web |title=Paul Ledney back to clarify "hes the best" Varg Vikernes ripped off his look and licks poser balls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQA-nwTfxG8 |website=YouTube |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=24 May 2024}}</ref>
== Lineup == === Current lineup === * Paul Ledney – drums, vocals (1990–1992,<ref name=darkside7056 /> 2001–present) * Adam Besserer – guitars (2018–present) * Alletta Ergun – bass (2024–present)
=== Former members === '''Guitars:''' * Brett Makowski (1990–1992)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * Rod Ware (2001–2006) * John Gelso (1990–1992, 2006–2016) * Ryan Adams (2016–2018)
'''Bass:''' * Aragon Amori (1990–1992; died 1996)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * Robert 'Wicked Warlock' Crusen (1992)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * Malcolm Tent (2001–2006, 2023–2024) * Alex Cox (2006–2018) * Richard Olseen (2018–2020) * Pat Davies (2020–2024)
=== Timeline === {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:110 bottom:80 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1990 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1990 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1990 Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
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bar:JG text:"John Gelso" bar:BM text:"Brett Makowski" bar:RW text:"Rod Ware" bar:RA text:"Ryan Adams" bar:AB text:"Adam Besserer"
bar:AA text:"Aragon Amori" bar:RC text:"Robert Crusen" bar:MT text:"Malcolm Tent" bar:AC text:"Alex Cox" bar:RO text:"Richard Olsen" bar:PD text:"Pat Davies" bar:AG text:"Aletta Ergun"
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== Discography == === Albums === * ''Profanatitas de Domonatia'' (2007)<ref>Andi Bauer: [http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Albums-EPs-Demos/P/PROFANATICA--2595.html ''Profanatitas de Domonatia''], Voices from the Darkside, accessed on April 11, 2013.</ref> * ''Disgusting Blasphemies Against God'' (2010)<ref>Leonard Likas: [http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Albums-EPs-Demos/P/PROFANATICA--2597.html ''Disgusting Blasphemies Against God''], Voices from the Darkside, accessed on April 11, 2013.</ref> * ''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)<ref name="darkside-review">{{cite web|url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Albums-EPs-Demos/P/PROFANATICA--2596.html|title=The Enemy of God|author1=Frank Stöver|date=April 11, 2013|website=Voices from the Darkside|language=en|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623030210/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Albums-EPs-Demos/P/PROFANATICA--2596.html|archivedate=June 23, 2013}}</ref> * ''Sickened by Holy Host (The Grand Masters Session)'' (2012)
=== EPs === * ''Weeping in Heaven'' (1991)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * ''Altar of the Virgin Whore'' (2018) * ''Pale Fuck'' (2022) * ''Wreathed in Dead Angels'' (2025)
=== Singles === * ''Broken Jew'' (2002)<ref name=darkside-review />
=== Demos === * ''Official Rehearsal Tape'' (1990)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * ''Putrescence Of...'' (re-released in 1993 as ''As Tears of Blood Stain the Altar of Christ'') (1990)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * ''Broken Throne of Christ'' (1990)<ref name=darkside7056 />
=== Splits === * ''Ola de Violencia/Tormenting Holy Flesh'' (with Masacre, 1992)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * ''Unholy Masters of Darkness'' (with Impiety, 1999)<ref name=darkside7056 /> * ''Trampling the Holy Faith'' (with Goatsodomy, Nuclear Desecration and Unholy Crucifix, 2008)
=== DVDs === * ''The Enemy of Virtue'' (2008)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.myspace.com/profanatica Official Profanatica Myspace]
{{Authority control}}
Category:1990 establishments in New York (state) Category:American black metal musical groups Category:American musical trios Category:Mixed-gender musical trios Category:Musical groups established in 1990 Category:Musical groups from Connecticut