Cyclone Temple
American thrash metal band from Chicago, Illinois.
Cyclone Temple was an American thrash metal band from Chicago, Illinois, formed from the remains of Znöwhite. The core members who had worked on Znöwhite's *Act of God*—Scott Schafer and Ian Tafoya—recruited vocalist Brian Troch and released the album *I Hate Therefore I Am*. The band failed to gain commercial traction, largely because the grunge movement dominated the early 1990s.
The group originally performed briefly as Znöwhite after vocalist Debbie Gunn left for health reasons. Tafoya, Schafer, and John Slattery brought in Troch, formerly of the Chicago band Hammeron. They performed briefly under the Znöwhite name before signing with Combat Records and changing the name to Cyclone Temple. Their debut album, *I Hate Therefore I Am*, came out in 1991. Shortly after, Combat’s parent company Relativity Records was purchased by Sony Music Entertainment, which shut down Combat. Troch left the band following the album’s tour, as noted in a 2017 interview for a Dive Bomb Records re-release. He was replaced by Marco Salinas for the 1993 EP *Building Errors in the Machine*. In 1994, with a third singer, Sonny DeLuca, Cyclone Temple released their final recording, *My Friend Lonely*, which included re-recorded tracks from the hard-to-find EP and new material. Both releases had limited success in the United States but performed well overseas. Later reviews suggest the band’s blend of thrash, groove, and reggae may have been ahead of its time. *I Hate Therefore I Am* is still regarded by many metal fans as one of the last great pre-grunge thrash albums.
After the band’s end, DeLuca briefly worked with SOiL and co-founded Arista act From Zero but left due to musical differences. Troch worked on projects including Shooting Hemlock, The Reign of Terror, My Infected Soul, Elliott Waits For No One, and a collaboration with CMurder, and also played Anas in a New York production of *Jesus Christ Superstar*.
**Discography** *I Hate Therefore I Am* (1991) *Building Errors in the Machine* (1993) (EP) *My Friend Lonely* (1994)
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Genre
- Thrash metal
- Years Active
- 1989–1994
- Label
- Relativity Records (Combat Records) / Polydisc/Progressive International / Monsterdisc
- Past Members
- Brian Troch / Sonny DeLuca / Greg Fulton / Scott Schafer / John Slattery / Marco Salinas
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Cyclone Temple started life as Znöwhite. After vocalist Debbie Gunn left Znöwhite for unspecified health reasons, the three remaining members—Ian Tafoya, Scott Schafer, and John Slattery—recruited singer Brian Troch, formerly of the local Chicago band Hammeron. They performed briefly as Znöwhite, but after signing with Combat Records they changed the name to Cyclone Temple. Their first album, I Hate Therefore I Am, was released in 1991. Soon after, Combat Records's parent company Relativity Records was bought out by Sony Music Entertainment, and Sony shut down Combat Records. Troch walked away from the group after the tour for I Hate Therefore I Am, as stated in a 2017 interview for a re-release through Dive Bomb Records.
Reader's Guide
Cyclone Temple's significance lies in their position as a thrash metal band that emerged just as the grunge explosion of the 1990s diverted commercial attention away from the genre. Their debut album, I Hate Therefore I Am, is still considered by many metal fans to be one of the last, great, pre-grunge thrash metal recordings. More current reviews suggest that Cyclone Temple's style—combining elements of thrash, groove, and reggae—may have been too far ahead of its time. Despite limited success in the United States, their recordings did well overseas. The band's legacy includes three releases: I Hate Therefore I Am (1991), the EP Building Errors in the Machine (1993), and My Friend Lonely (1994). After the band dissolved, members went on to form Rebels Without Applause, work with SOiL, and join Arista recording artists From Zero, among other projects.
Did You Know?
- Cyclone Temple was formed from the remnants of Znöwhite after vocalist Debbie Gunn left for unspecified health reasons.
- The band changed its name from Znöwhite to Cyclone Temple after signing with Combat Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cyclone Temple?
Cyclone Temple is an American thrash metal band out of Chicago, Illinois, that emerged in the late 1980s as a reformed lineup of the earlier group Znöwhite. They are best known for their single full-length record, *I Hate Therefore I Am* (1991).
How was Cyclone Temple formed?
After vocalist Debbie Gunn departed Znöwhite for health reasons, Scott Schafer and Ian Tafoya—both contributors to Znöwhite's *Act of God*—kept the project alive by recruiting Brian Troch, a singer previously associated with the Chicago band Hammeron. The reconstituted trio then rebranded as Cyclone Temple.
Who are the core members of Cyclone Temple?
The band's principal lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Scott Schafer, drummer Ian Tafoya, and vocalist Brian Troch. All three carried over material and momentum from their work in Znöwhite into the new project.
What is Cyclone Temple's discography?
Their only released studio album is *I Hate Therefore I Am*, put out in 1991. Beyond that record, the group did not produce additional full-length studio material before dissolving.
Why did Cyclone Temple never break into the mainstream?
The band's brief active window coincided with grunge's explosive rise in the early 1990s, which shifted radio, press, and label attention away from thrash metal. As a result, *I Hate Therefore I Am* received very little commercial support, and the group quietly folded without gaining a wider audience.
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