Stefan Prokopczuk(1958-20008) - Gaskin (New Wave of Britsh Heavy Metal)

Stefan Prokopczuk(1958-2008) - Gaskin (New Wave of Britsh Heavy Metal)

Stefan Prokopczuk (1958 – January 17, 2008) was the bassist for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal band, Gaskin. According to Metal Archives, he played bass on their 1981 album End of the World and was a member of the band from 1980 to 1982. His time with Gaskin eventually led him to the band Ace Lane—a group whose music I have heard, though I know very little about their history.

To me, Stefan’s legacy is defined by that Gaskin album because it’s the one I know best. While Gaskin has a long history and remains active today, I want to specifically recommend End of the World, because of Stefan. The album features melodic heavy metal with pleasant vocals (no "banshee screaming"), strong songwriting, and a certain maturity in its overall sound.

In a way, I am surprised by how mature the record is; in that sense, it feels like an exception for its time. There are no gimmicks, no shock-value artwork, and no desperate maneuvers for attention. It feels like the band was entirely focused on the music. For those reasons, the album resonates with me on a personal level. It isn’t the heaviest, fastest, or most commercial album, but that doesn't matter. I enjoy it and appreciate the attitude behind it. In fact, I enjoy this album and the Gaskin discography far more than this little tribute would suggest!

I would recommend the entire album, but here I will reluctantly limit myself to one song. If you really enjoy the vibe, then dive into the album.

Gaskin - Victim of the City