Chuck Profus (1963—2025)

It's been almost a month since Chuck Profus' passing. I didn't know him well but during the interview we did back in 2018 I met an easy going, humble and honest man. Chuck was definitely hell of a drummer who helped to create some of influential speed/thrash metal albums. So when I decided to cover the story of Agent Steel for my printed fanzine "Stay Heavy" I decided to get in touch not with Juan Garcia or John Cyriis but with Chuck (thanks to Karlos Medina of EvilDead and Agent Steel for making this possible!). Not that I didn't want to get Juan or John. I just wanted to interview the guy who was there from the very beginning of Agent Steel and had his own view on events and things that happened back then. And during two hours which we spent on Skype Chuck shared a lot of interesting facts and opinions. So here it is — a monument to Chuck Profusю Rest in peace, metal brother! 

Aggression: Forgotten Skeletons (pt. II)

In the second part (read the first part here) of the in-depth interview with Denis Barthe we discussed the recording "Forgotten Skeleton" and the following events: misfortune with Facemelt Records, line-up changes, an attempt to start everything from scratch with "The Full Treatment", demise of the band in the 80s. and short-lived reunion in the early 2000's. 

Aggression: Forgotten Skeletons (pt. I)

After the interview with Denis Barthe last year (which was censored by Google for no reason) I decided to make another one — a really in-depth interview with a lot of unknown details and funny memories about the golden era of thrash metal. It took us a few long conversations via Zoom and a hell of a time to get it all together afterward. But here it is, first part of the interview where Denis "Sasquatch" Barthe remembers his childhood, formative years of Aggression, his involvement in the famous "World War III" in Montreal and the first demos. 

Paragon: Metalation of the nations

German metal scene is probably my favorite among others. I do love NWOBHM (check out the blog about it), USPM, Bay Area thrash, and basically bands from all over the world, but for some reason heavy, speed, power and thrash metal groups from Germany are closer to my tastes. They are like warriors by vocation — do their best to what they once swore and never disapoint their loyal fans. Paragon have always been in my short list for an interview, and now, when they have released another solid peice of metal called, ahem, "Metalation", I had a pleasure to talk to Jan Bünning about the album, the odds of being in an undeground band, Paragon's upcoming 35th anniversary and some more! 

Destiny's End: Wrong place, wrong time

1990s are usually considered as a period of deep crisis for heavy and power metal. Well, probably it is correct in terms of commercial success, but deep in the underground bands kept recording very decent albums. And then, a lot of good new bands appeared in the second half of the decade (New Eden, Steel Prophet, Seven Witches, HammerFall and Saxred Steel to name a few). They gave heavy metal a new life and got deals with labels like Metal Blade or Nuclear Blast. Among these newcomers was Destiny's End — a group of young guys with none then James Rivera himself in front of the mike stand. Two albums that the band delievered back then are now classics of the U.S. power metal. Back in 2021 these records were re-released on vinyl, so I contacted Perry Grayson (the guitarist) to talk about short but bright life of the band. 

Phantasm: Blown to oblivion

After leaving Hirax in 1986 Katon De Pena founded Phantasm, a new band together with Ron McGowney. “The band of ex-Hirax and ex-Metallica members” — that would be a real titbit for fans, press and labels. And after hiring Gene Hoglan Phantasm became a real super-group of thrash metal. I think a lot of people would sacrifice their right hands if the band had recorded a full-length album. But Phantasm exploded after just one demo and a short tour. Why? Guitarist Nathan Williams reflects on the band’s history.  

NOTE: this interview was done in 2017

Darkness: Always look on the dark side of life

German thrashers Darkness come back with "Blood on Canvas", one of the best albums in their career! "Oh, yeah, yeah. The press and labels always say that", may think a metalhead. But let's face it — Darkness have delievered raw, straight in your face, aggressive but yet melodic and memorable thrash metal. Somehow they managed to revitalize the genre that is 40 years old but still remain true to their own music legacy! Here we are talking with Arnd Klink, the guitarist and one of the founders of Darkness, about "Blood on Canvas" and some other stuff.