Steel Prophet

Steel Prophet came together in late-1980s Connecticut as a metal band laced with psychedelic hues, started by guitarist Steve Kachinsky Blakmoor and singer Gary Stocking. Wayne Faircloth handled bass and Harry Blackwell, son of jazz drummer Ed Blackwell, sat behind the kit in the first rhythm section. Blackwell exited soon after because of his substandard drums and was succeeded by John "J.T." Tarascio, while Stocking was removed for unpredictable, alcohol-driven actions. Blakmoor and Tarascio shifted to California in 1988 and brought in bassist Vince Dennis, vocalist Scott Lindsenbardt, and second guitarist Domenic Chavira. Lindsenbardt was dismissed in favor of ex-Ascendance frontman Nick Mantis, whose drug issues then led to his replacement by Rick Mythiasin, an early Pantera member for several days. Domenic Chavira’s spot went to Jon Paget.

The band tracked a demo and played regularly around Los Angeles from 1990 to 1992, after which Horacio Colmenares replaced Paget. They signed with Foundations 2000, yet never delivered an album for the imprint; the demo The Goddess Principle eventually surfaced in Europe in 1995. Following the five-song EP Continuum in 1996, both Tarascio and Colmenares departed, the latter forming New Eden. Pete Parada took the drum chair and Jon Pons became the new guitarist. Into the Void (Hallucinogenic Conception) appeared in 1997, prompting a move to Nuclear Blast. Their first release for the label, Dark Hallucinations, arrived in 1999 and supported a European tour. Before Messiah emerged in 2000, Parada left; Kevin Cafferty filled in temporarily for studio work until Karl Rosqvist joined as permanent drummer. Pons exited after the album, and Jim Williams took his place.