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The Agonist

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This article is about the Canadian band. For other uses, see agonist (disambiguation).
The Agonist
The Agonist in Helsinki, 2010
The Agonist in Helsinki, 2010
Background information
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
GenresMelodic death metal, metalcore, progressive metal
Years active2004–present
LabelsNapalm Records, Century Media, Act, Spiritual Beast
MembersDanny Marino
Chris Kells
Pascal Jobin
Simon McKay
Vicky Psarakis
Past membersAlissa White-Gluz
Andrew Tapley
Chris Adolph
Websitewww.theagonistband.com

The Agonist is a Canadian metal band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 2004. The current line up consists of guitarists Danny Marino and Pascal (Paco) Jobin, bassist Chris Kells, drummer Simon Mckay, and vocalist Vicky Psarakis, who joined in March 2014 following the departure of vocalist and founding member Alissa White-Gluz. Both Psarakis and White-Gluz use growled and clean vocals. Originally known as the Tempest, the band adopted their current moniker upon their signing to Century Media in 2007. To date, the Agonist has released six studio albums; the latest, Orphans, was released in September 2019.[1] Touring extensively since their first album, they have shared the stage with bands such as Arsonists Get All the Girls, Epica, the Faceless, Chelsea Grin, Kamelot, and Visions of Atlantis.

History

Once Only Imagined (2004−2008)

Main article: Once Only Imagined

The band released their first album Once Only Imagined on August 14, 2007. Originally intended as a demo, the release prompted the Agonist to add metal drummer Simon McKay to the band. Released August 28, 2007, the video for "Business Suits and Combat Boots" was filmed by acclaimed director David Brodsky[2] (Strapping Young Lad, Gwar, God Forbid).[3] The video was voted the number 6 video of the year 2007 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.[4]

After releasing their first album, the Agonist toured with the likes of God Forbid, Arsis, the Faceless, Sonata Arctica, Overkill, Epica, Visions of Atlantis, and Enslaved.[3][5][6] One of the band's tours was disrupted when their equipment trailer was damaged in a blizzard in the Rocky Mountains. White-Gluz was named one of "the hottest chicks in metal" in the July 2007 issue of Revolver.[7]

Lullabies for the Dormant Mind (2008−2010)

Main article: Lullabies for the Dormant Mind

The band released their second album, called Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, in March 2009.[8] The mini-video for "...And Their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep" off the album Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, also filmed by director David Brodsky,[2] was released April 18, 2009. Shortly following this, on April 22, 2009, was a video for the song "Birds Elope With The Sun," which consists of live concert footage from the band's tour. Their third video, for the single, Thank You Pain premiered on the Peta2 Blog on September 3, 2009. The band achieved major popularity with the release of Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, mostly for their single / video "Thank You Pain".[9] The album debuted at No. 105 on the Billboard Heatseeksers album charts.[10] Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz appeared in March on Blackguard's album Profugus Mortis on the song "The Sword" and then again as a "hottest chick in metal" in the May 2009 issue of Revolver.[11]

While touring Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, the Agonist made their first trips to Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, China, Colombia, and toured Europe. After finishing a tour with Epica and Scar Symmetry in December 2010, the band confirmed on their Facebook page that they are writing a new album to be released in early 2012.[12]

Prisoners (2011–2013)

Main article: Prisoners (album)

In late 2011, the Agonist took part in the "Pandemonium over North America" tour with Kamelot, Alestorm and Blackguard (except Guitarist Danny Marino, who was unable to tour with the band and was replaced by ex-Catalyst guitarist Justin Deguire). While on tour, the band sold an EP entitled The Escape which showcased two tracks scheduled to appear on the band's third full-length album.[13] It was mixed by Tue Madsen who is known for his work with the Haunted, Dark Tranquillity and Suicide Silence. The Escape was later made available on iTunes and through pre-order from CM Distro from September 3.

Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz told metalconcerts.net that the band's music has become more mature, not necessarily heavier or more melodic. She elaborated by saying there are more "classic" influences like Pantera and Radiohead.[10] She told Lithium Magazine that the record could be good for someone with an open mind musical taste, or bad for someone who only likes Thank You, Pain. The album's final recording processes took place following the conclusion of the Kamelot tour.[14]

The Agonist announced on March 5 on YouTube prior to a show in Montreal that their newly completed album would be called Prisoners.[15] It was released on June 4 in Europe and on June 5, 2012 in North America via Century Media records and was produced by the band's longtime producer Christian Donaldson. "Ideomotor" has been confirmed as the first single. The music video of "Panophobia" was released October 24, 2012, and features live and behind the scenes footage of the band playing Montreal's Heavy MTL Festival.[10] In support of Prisoners, the Agonist announced April 2013 tour dates with Danzig and Corrosion of Conformity.[16]

White-Gluz's departure, Eye of Providence and Five (2014–2019)

Main articles: Eye of Providence (album) and Five (The Agonist album)

In March 2014, White-Gluz announced that she had been chosen as the replacement for Angela Gossow as frontwoman of the Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. She also revealed that the group as fans knew it was "over" and that she and they had parted ways. Vicky Psarakis was then revealed as the new lead singer of the group. In April 2017, White-Gluz revealed detailed the circumstances of her departure and how she considered it the "biggest betrayal" she'd ever felt in her life.[17] The Agonist later released their own public statement disputing her account, citing unprofessional behavior and a lack of respect for fans and band mates - among other things - as the reason for her departure, and that the band is "breathing a lot easier" in her absence.[18] On July 9, 2014, the band had officially announced via Facebook that their fourth album, Eye of Providence, was released on February 23. Five followed on September 30, 2016.

Orphans (2019–present)

On June 7, 2019, the band has released a new single "In Vertigo", along with the announcement of their new album Orphans, which was then released on September 20, 2019 through Rodeostar Records.The band got nominated for Canadian Juno Award in 2019 for Best Metal Album. [19]

Style

The Agonist are known primarily for Vicky Psarakis and Alissa White-Gluz's ability to use both clean vocals and metal growls and Danny Marino's use of two or more intersecting melodies and unorthodox chords often featuring wide intervals and octave displacements. Songs' themes often revolve around moral concerns such as animal rights, societal dilemmas, and the state of the world.[20][21][22]

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Year Title
2007 Once Only Imagined
2009 Lullabies for the Dormant Mind
2012 Prisoners
2015 Eye of Providence
2016 Five
2019 Orphans

EPs

Year Title
2011 The Escape
2014 Disconnect Me

Singles

Year Title Album
2007 "Business Suits and Combat Boots" Once Only Imagined
2009 "...and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep" Lullabies for the Dormant Mind
"Birds Elope with the Sun"
"Thank You Pain"
2011 "The Escape" Prisoners
2012 "Ideomotor"
2012 "Panophobia"
2014 "Disconnect Me" Eye of Providence
2015 "Gates of Horn and Ivory"
"My Witness, Your Victim"
"Danse Macabre"
2016 "The Chain" Five
"The Moment"
"Take Me To Church"
2019 "In Vertigo" Orphans
"Burn It All Down"
"As One We Survive"
"The Gift of Silence"
2020 "Orphans"

Music videos

Year Title Album
2007 "Business Suits and Combat Boots"[23] Once Only Imagined
"...and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep"[24] Lullabies for the Dormant Mind
2009 "Thank You Pain"[25]
"Birds Elope With The Sun"[26]
2012 "Panophobia"[27] Prisoners
2015 "Gates of Horn and Ivory"[28] Eye of Providence
"My Witness, Your Victim"[29]
"A Gentle Disease"[30]
"Danse Macabre" [31]
"Follow The Crossed Line" [32]
2016 "The Moment" [33] Five
"The Hunt" [34]
"The Man Who Fell To Earth" [35]
2017 "Take Me To Church" [36]
"The Raven Eyes" [37]
2019 "In Vertigo" [38] Orphans
"Burn It All Down" [39]
"As One We Survive" [40]
"The Gift of Silence" [41]
2020 "Orphans" [42]

References

  1. ^ The Agonist To Release 'Five' Album In September - Blabbermouth.net
  2. ^ a b "David S. Brodsky : MUSIC VIDEOS". Mgenyc.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  3. ^ a b Century Media Records Archived October 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Headbangers Ball Top 20 Videos of 2007". Headbangers Blog. MTV. December 28, 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  5. ^ Ca. "The Agonist at MySpace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  6. ^ "The Rise and Fall Community at MySpace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  7. ^ Deachman, Bruce. "Magazine stand", Ottawa Citizen, 2007-06-10, p. C3.
  8. ^ Ca. "www.myspace.com/theagonist". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  9. ^ "The Agonist – Thank You Pain (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  10. ^ a b c "THE AGONIST To Release 'The Escape' EP – Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. 2011-08-15. Archived from the original on 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  11. ^ "Revolver – May2009". Revolvermag-digital.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  12. ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  13. ^ "TH AGONIST To Release 'The Escape' EP – Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. 2011-08-15. Archived from the original on 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  14. ^ Bax, Mike (2011-08-23). "Interview with Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist – August 14th,2011". Archived from the original on 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  15. ^ "The Agonist Playing Montreal Friday March 9th!!". The Agonist Official YouTube Channel. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  16. ^ "NEWS: THE AGONIST announces tour dates with DANZIG, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY'". RockRevolt Magazine™. 2013-02-15.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ: Getting Fired From THE AGONIST Was 'The Worst Betrayal I've Ever Felt In My Life'". 15 April 2017.
  18. ^ "THE AGONIST Guitarist Responds To ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ's Accusation Of Betrayal'". 28 April 2017.
  19. ^ Joe Devito (June 7, 2019). "The Agonist Announce 'Orphans' Album, Debut 'In Vertigo' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  20. ^ Century Media Records – The Agonist Archived October 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Whish, Bill (September 2007). "The Agonist – Once Only Imagined". Exclaim. Archived from the original on 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  22. ^ bravewords.com. "> News > THE AGONIST Guitarist DANNY MARINO – "I Come From A Very Musical Family; My Uncle FRANK MARINO Has Been A Touring National Act For The Past 30 Years"". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  23. ^ THE AGONIST - Business Suits and Combat Boots (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  24. ^ THE AGONIST - and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep (OFFICIAL) - YouTube
  25. ^ THE AGONIST - Thank You Pain (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  26. ^ THE AGONIST - Birds Elope With The Sun - YouTube
  27. ^ THE AGONIST - Panophobia (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  28. ^ THE AGONIST - Gates Of Horn And Ivory (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  29. ^ THE AGONIST - My Witness, Your Victim (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  30. ^ THE AGONIST - A Gentle Disease (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  31. ^ THE AGONIST - Danse Macabre (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  32. ^ THE AGONIST - Follow The Crossed Line (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
  33. ^ THE AGONIST - The Moment (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  34. ^ THE AGONIST - The Hunt (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  35. ^ THE AGONIST - The Man Who Fell To Earth (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  36. ^ THE AGONIST - Take Me To Church (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  37. ^ THE AGONIST - The Raven Eyes (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  38. ^ THE AGONIST - In Vertigo (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  39. ^ THE AGONIST - Burn It All Down (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  40. ^ THE AGONIST - As One We Survive (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  41. ^ THE AGONIST - The Gift of Silence | Napalm Records - YouTube
  42. ^ THE AGONIST - Orphans | Napalm Records - YouTube
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