CHUCK PROFUS – Founding Member Of AGENT STEEL Dead At 61

Chuck Profus, legendary speed/thrash metal drummer & founding member of Agent Steel/Obscene Gesture died quietly at his Los Angeles home at the age of 61 on June 4, 2025. Rob Hill, Producer/Engineer went across the street from the studio to check in on Chuck because he was concerned that he had not heard from him, only to find out he had passed away on the floor of his living room. No cause of death has been determined as of this announcement.

Profus was inexhaustible in his fierceness while behind the kit as well as in his love of metal/punk music, family, friends and fans. His focus and intensity were contagious whether you were in a band or playing a round of golf with him. You were put on notice just being in his presence to give it your all or disappear.

Playing drums from the age of 11 he was determined to be a pro drummer in life. When the neighbors complained about the noise coming from the house he convinced his father to let him build his own rehearsal studio in the garage. His other love was woodwork. Chuck built a soundproof fortress with his own hands so he could smack his drums day or night and even have a full band at max volume without a peep disturbing the neighborhood. This skill allowed him to work while times were tough throughout his career.

Profus fulfilled his dream of being a pro when he co-founded Agent Steel with John Cyriis in 1983. Their first show was opening for Slayer on the opening date of Haunting The Chapel launch at the world-famous Country Club in Reseda. With the entire Metal music industry present the band bulldozed through a 30-minute set of classics like “Taken By Force”, “Agents Of Steel”, “Bleed For The Godz” and “144,000 Gone” and everyone understood the band was the next big thing in the era of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Exodus and Anthrax. Cees Wessels (Roadrunner Records) and Barry Kobrin (Combat Records signed the band immediately and they recorded the classics Skeptics Apocalypse, Mad Locust Rising, and Unstoppable Force.

Throughout the tumultuous lineup changes of the band the one constant was Chuck Profus anchored the band from behind his drums throughout it all. He was an anti-star type drummer. Not one for interviews or the limelight. His respect for the fans was infallible whether onstage where he gave a 200 percent of himself or meeting them after show to shoot the shit with them until sunrise to make sure they went home with a smile.

That was exemplified in all its glory on the Agent Steel 2000 tour when they played Slovenia. During soundcheck Profus found out from the promoters that fans had paid six months’ salary and waited 25 years to see the band. Prior to hitting the stage he stood up in the dressing room to announce that the band was going to play every song they ever recorded or until he passed out. The band played an electrifying set and the venue had a metaphysical energy in it.

Chuck finally collapsed behind his drums after what seemed an endless set. The roadies rushed to help him. He ordered the roadies to take all 10 cases of beer and pass them out to the audience. He slowly made his way to the front of the stage lifted his beer to cheer and thank the audience turned backwards and fell into the arms of the crowd. They proceeded to crowd surf Chuck around the venue like he was a national hero. That my friends are what made Chuck Profus a true metal legend. Not only his talent but his respect for the fans.

After his exit from the band in 2002, Profus founded his punk metal alter ego band Obscene Gesture with original Agent Steel bassist George Robb. He had suffered some physical setbacks through injury, and he was just having fun again. The band recorded two albums that satisfied Chuck’s appetite of playing while he worked his way back to glory form.

Roman P-V - 2025-06-22 09:35:36