Blackguard (band)
Black Guard is founded in 2001 folk metal band from Canada, who played until 2008 under the name Profugus Mortis.
- 3.1 albums
- 3.2 Singles
- 3.3 Demos and EPs
Band History
Foundation phase and early development
Blackguard was founded in 2001 under the band name " Profugus Mortis " in Montreal. The first demo, United Under a Shadowed Nightsky appeared in 2003. At this time joined by violinist Émilie Livernois - Desroches added to the band. In the same year, the founding members alkyne, Mordred and Celeus left the band.
Between 2003-2005 Étienne Mailloux, Jonathan Lefrancois Leduc and Paul Zinay came to again so that was a full line-up. During this time the band had recorded the title track of the new demos and re-released as Promo-CD/Single in 2004. The second, unnamed demo followed in 2004. Increasing awareness of the band in the scene helped Blackguard then one of the first tours and concerts with famous bands like Ensiferum, Lacuna Coil and The Agonist. In 2006, with Kim Gosselin, a second guitarist for the band. The first studio album was released under the name So It Begins, about the label Prodisk 2007. It was measured in terms of numbers, for at that time the most successful album of the label. In 2008, the EP Another Round and Émilie Livernois - Desroches left the band appeared.
Each year is organized by Nuclear Blast MySpace along with a contest in which the winner will receive a recording contract. 2008 took Blackguard, at that time still under the name Profugis Mortis, the contest. The band was able to put against nearly 3,000 competitors and won the contest, so that it came with Nuclear Blast for the contract signing. In the course of the name change went hand in hand to "Black Guard ".
" We are completely blown away that we were selected by Nuclear Blast as a winner. To be working with such a prestigious label, is an honor and a privilege. We are confident that 2009 was a great year and we are with Nuclear Blast in the back, we did not know why it should not be so! "
The second studio album, Profugus Mortis, which was named after the old band name, was published on 20 March 2009 via Nuclear Blast. From 28 April to 3 October 2009, the band took part in the Paganfest and played alongside bands such as Korpiklaani, The Horsemen of the Apocalypse or Alestorm.
In May 2010, Black Guard acted as support act, along with Hate and Swashbuckle, the Swedish band Hypocrisy on their North American tour.
In October 2010 the band announced the change to the label Victory Records, as well as the exit keyboardist Leduc. For now, the band wants to continue as a quintet, and are not looking for a replacement for Leduc.
The third studio album, Firefight was published on March 29, 2011 on Victory Records. The single release of the title track was released on February 22, 2011.
Style
Initially, the band was playing black- metal -influenced folk metal. The lyrics told at that time mostly fantasy stories, later they acted on Philosophical questions. While the lyrical concept was largely retained, but it also brought back many tales and legends away you look from 2003 rapidly from the black metal influences and approached the Melodic Death Metal at. The band describes her style as Epic Metal.
On Profugus Mortis the texts of stories and reflections that have come of the band over the years to act ears. The lyrics usually have a cheerful, positive character, and it eg with I, Demon also is a melancholy, gloomy lyrics. According to frontman Paul " Ablaze " Zinay " [ it's ] lyrical [ ... ] is that we can be our own worst demons. " Song The Last We Wage based for example on a folk tale from the region of Quebec, which also the hometown of the band, Montreal is. The cover of Profugus Mortis also refers to this tale.
Discography
Albums
- 2007: So It Begins ( Prodisk )
- 2011: Firefight ( Victory Records )
Singles
- 2004: United Under a Shadowed Nightsky
- 2011: Firefight ( Victory Records )
Demos and EPs
- 2003: United Under a Shadowed Nightsky
- 2005: Demo
- 2008: Another Round