Blackguard (band)

Blackguard
Blackguard in 2013
Background information
Also known as	Profugus Mortis
Origin	Montréal, Québec
Genres	Melodic death metal, power metal, folk metal
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast Caustic Rhythms (2007) Prodisk (2007–2008) Sumerian (2009–2010) Victory
Associated acts	Epica, Threat Signal, Ensiferum
Website	www.myspace.com/blackguard
Members	Paul "Ablaze" Zinay Terry "Roadcase" Deschenes Justine Ethier
Past members	Kim Gosselin Jonathan Lefrançois-Leduc Émilie Livernois Alkin Mordred Étienne Mailloux Louis Jacques

Blackguard is a melodic death metal band from Montréal, Québec, previously known as Profugus Mortis.

Blackguard was formed in 2001 by guitarist Terry Roadcase and drummer Justine "Juice" Éthier as a straight-ahead black metal outfit. The Montreal-based sextet was originally named Profugus Mortis (Latin for "Death of a Refugee"). Blackguard was officially born with the addition of vocalist Paul Ablaze in October 2004, followed a month later by bassist Étienne Mailloux. Staying true to their black metal roots, the new Profugus Mortis turned their sights on a brutal new interpretation of Scandinavian folk metal.

Blackguard issued a four-song self-produced demo in March 2005, passing them out for free at metal shows in Montreal. In July that same year, Profugus Mortis played the Xtreme Distortion Fest in Montreal with Kataklysm and Unexpect, winning the coveted slot as "Best Unsigned Band" at the event. This translated into a support slot with Sodom and Finntroll, which earned Profugus Mortis the opportunity to open for Yngwie Malmsteen at the request of Québec's Capital du Metal.

Since then, Blackguard has supported and toured with numerous acts equally respected the world over, including Lacuna Coil, Catamenia, Warbringer, Behemoth, Therion, Into Eternity, Ensiferum, The Agonist, Cryptopsy, Krisiun, Voivod, Moonsorrow, Korpiklaani and Quo Vadis.