Blacktask was a leading metal band during the early stages of the 1980's Thrash Metal underground. The band formed in 1983 in Philadelphia and were influenced by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. They performed countless shows in the Philly & South Jersey club scene while recording their "Spikes To The Wall" demo and infamous Blacktask EP. Both releases found much critical acclaim in the underground metal fanzines of the time.
Blacktask released one official album, "Long After Midnight" for Axe Records in 1986 and toured to support it by playing headline club shows around the U.S., while also supporting a wide variety of metal acts, like Cinderella, Keel, & Corrosion of Conformity. The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal described Blacktask as "American riff monsters...with touches of Virgin Steel, Slayer, & Exciter".
During 1988, the four founding members - Warren Appleby, Steve Kristiansen, Jim Trub, & Gus Santiago went their separate ways - all working on various rock related projects.
Warren Appleby, Blacktask's primary songwriter and leader, resurfaced in 2002 writing and recording solo instrumental hard rock music. Many of his solo CDs can be found right here at CD Baby.
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