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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 Gdańsk, 2022
The Agonist in Gdańsk, 2022
Background information
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
Years active2004–2023
Labels
Past membersDanny Marino
Chris Kells
Simon McKay
Pascal Jobin
Vicky Psarakis
Alissa White-Gluz
Andrew Tapley
Chris Adolph
Pavlo Haikalis

The Agonist was a Canadian metalcore and melodic death metal[1] band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 2004. The last known lineup consisted of lead guitarist Danny Marino, bassist Chris Kells, drummer Simon Mckay, rhythm guitarist Pascal "Paco" Jobin and lead vocalist Vicky Psarakis, who joined in March 2014 following the departure of vocalist and founding member Alissa White-Gluz.

Originally known as the Tempest, the band adopted their current moniker upon their signing to Century Media in 2007. The Agonist had released six studio albums; the last, Orphans, was released in September 2019.[2] They had shared the stage with bands such as Arsonists Get All the Girls,[3] Epica,[4] the Faceless,[5] Chelsea Grin,[6] Kamelot,[7] and Visions of Atlantis.[8] The band announced in May 2023 that they would be breaking up due to "a mix of personal, financial and industry related issues".[9]

History

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Once Only Imagined (2004−2008)

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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 (Strapping Young Lad, Gwar, God Forbid).[10] The video was voted the number 6 video of the year 2007 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.

After releasing the album, the Agonist toured with God Forbid, Arsis, Sonata Arctica,[11] Overkill, Visions of Atlantis, and Enslaved.[12][10][13] 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.[14]

Lullabies for the Dormant Mind (2008−2010)

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Main article: Lullabies for the Dormant Mind

The band released their second album, Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, in March 2009.[15] The mini-video for "...And Their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep" off the album Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, also filmed by David Brodsky, was released April 18, 2009. On April 22, they released the video for "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".[16] The album debuted at No. 105 on the Billboard Heatseeksers album charts.[17] Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz appeared in March on Blackguard's album Profugus Mortis on the song "The Sword"[citation needed]. She was again named the "hottest chick in metal" in the May 2009 issue of Revolver.

While touring Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, the Agonist made their first trips to Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, China, Colombia, and toured Europe. They toured with Epica and Scar Symmetry in December 2010.[18][19]

Prisoners (2011–2013)

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Main article: Prisoners (album)
Poster for a November 2012 concert in Osaka, Japan.

In late 2011, the Agonist took part in Kamelot's Pandemonium Over North America 2010 Tour[20] with Alestorm and Blackguard. Marino was unable to tour with the band and was replaced by ex-Catalyst guitarist Justin Deguire. While on tour, the band sold the EP The Escape,[21] two tracks scheduled to appear on the band's third full-length album.[22] It was mixed by Tue Madsen (the Haunted, Dark Tranquillity, Suicide Silence).

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.[23][17] 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.[24] It was produced by the band's long-time producer Christian Donaldson.

The Agonist released the album Prisoners on June 4, 2012 via Century Media records. "Ideomotor" was the first single. The video of "Panophobia" was released October 24, 2012, and featured live and behind-the-scenes footage of the band playing Montreal's Heavy Montréal Festival.[17] In support of Prisoners, the Agonist toured with Danzig and Corrosion of Conformity in North America, and Aldious in Japan.[25][26][27]

White-Gluz's departure, Eye of Providence and Five (2014–2016)

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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 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 detailed the circumstances of her departure and how she considered it the "worst betrayal" she'd ever felt in her life.[28] The Agonist later released their own public statement disputing her account, citing unprofessional behavior and a lack of respect for fans and band mates as the reason for her departure, and that the band is "breathing a lot easier" in her absence.[29] Their fourth album, Eye of Providence, was released on February 23. The EP Disconnect Me was released in April.[30] The album Five was released on September 30, 2016.

Orphans, Days Before the World Wept and disbandment (2019–2023)

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On June 7, 2019, the band released a new single "In Vertigo".[31] Their album Orphans was then released on September 20, 2019 through Rodeostar Records.[32] Orphans was nominated as Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2020.

From January 7–11, 2020, the band took part in the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise, which was 37 metal bands playing, at sea, on the "Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas".[33] The day before departure, Kells announced that he would be unable to go on the cruise, and that he has been banned from entering the United States for five years. Kells issued an explanation, and announced that Pavlo Haikalis would be filling in for him.[34] The Agonist was also booked to tour the western US in support of Fleshgod Apocalypse, but those dates were cancelled due to Covid restrictions. The band did travel to Portugal, however, for Laurus Nobilis Music Famalicão 2020.[35]

On September 9, 2021, the band released their new song "Remnants in Time".[36] On October 15, they released the EP Days Before the World Wept.[37]

On May 10, 2023, the band issued a statement that they would be breaking up due to "a mix of personal, financial and industry related issues".[9]

Musical style

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The Agonist are known primarily for both White-Gluz and Psarakis' integration of both death growls and clean vocals, and Marino's use of two or more intersecting melodies and unorthodox chords which often feature wide intervals and octave displacements. Themes revolve around moral concerns such as animal rights, societal dilemmas, and the state of the world.[38][39]

Band members

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Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

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

EPs

[edit]
Year Title
2011 The Escape
2014 Disconnect Me
2021 Days Before the World Wept


Singles

[edit]
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"
2021 "Remnants in Time" Days Before the World Wept
"Feast On the Living"

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Album
2007 "Business Suits and Combat Boots"[40] Once Only Imagined
"...and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep"[41] Lullabies for the Dormant Mind
2009 "Thank You Pain"[42]
"Birds Elope with the Sun"[43]
2012 "Panophobia"[44] Prisoners
2015 "Gates of Horn and Ivory"[45] Eye of Providence
"My Witness, Your Victim"[46]
"A Gentle Disease"[47]
"Danse Macabre"[48]
"Follow the Crossed Line"[49]
2016 "The Moment"[50] Five
"The Hunt"[51]
"The Man Who Fell to Earth"[52]
2017 "Take Me to Church"[53]
"The Raven Eyes"[54]
2019 "In Vertigo"[55] Orphans
"Burn It All Down"[56]
"As One We Survive"[57]
"The Gift of Silence"[58]
2020 "Orphans"[59]
2021 "Remnants in Time"[60] Days Before the World Wept

Awards and nominations

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Juno Award

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Orphans Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year Nominated [61]
2022 Days Before the World Wept Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year Nominated [62]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Agonist - Orphans". metal-temple.com. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  2. ^ The Agonist To Release 'Five' Album In September - Blabbermouth.net
  3. ^ "Arsonists Get All the Girls Announce...May 2009". bravewords.com. Brave Words. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "Epica Announces North American Tour..." epica.nl. Epica. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Hartmann, Graham (January 19, 2013). "Cradle of Filth, The Faceless...Jan 2013". loudwire.com. Loudwire. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Agonist Upcoming London...June 2009". bravewords.com. BraveWords. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  7. ^ "The Agonist: Final Video Update From KAMELOT Tour, Sept 2011". blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. September 29, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "Sarah Jezebel Deva, The Agonist...March 2010". blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. March 25, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "The Agonist Calls It Quits". Blabbermouth.net. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Century Media Records Archived October 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Sonata Arctica / Firewind / The Agonist, Sept 2007". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "Abigail Williams / Enslaved / The Faceless / Arsis / The Agonist, Nov 2007". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Ca. "The Agonist at MySpace". Myspace.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  14. ^ Deachman, Bruce. "Magazine stand", Ottawa Citizen, 2007-06-10, p. C3.
  15. ^ Ca. "www.myspace.com/theagonist". Myspace.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  16. ^ "The Agonist – Thank You Pain (Official Video)". YouTube. September 8, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  17. ^ a b c "The Agonist To Release 'The Escape' EP – Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  18. ^ "Live broadcasting Milwaukee show, Nov 2010". epica.nl. Epica. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  19. ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  20. ^ Pierce, Ken (July 28, 2010). "Kamelot Announces...July 2010". piercingmetal.com. Piercing Metal. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "The Agonist – The Escape". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "The Agonist To Release 'The Escape' EP – Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  23. ^ "MetalConcerts.net Interview Alissa White-Gluz". youtube.com. YouTube. July 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  24. ^ Bax, Mike (August 23, 2011). "Interview with Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist – August 14th,2011". Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  25. ^ Shaw, Zach (February 15, 2013). "Danzig Announces Tour Dates With Corrosion Of Conformity And The Agonist, Feb 2013". metalinsider.net. Metal Insider. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  26. ^ "The Agonist announces tour dates with Danzig, Corrosion of Conformity". Rock Revolt Magazine. February 15, 2013. [permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ "エクストリーム・メタル・シーンの至宝 The Agonist、11月に来日決定！さらにゲスト・アクトとして Aldious が出演決定。". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). August 23, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  28. ^ "Alissa White-Gluz: Getting Fired From The Agonist Was 'The Worst Betrayal I've Ever Felt In My Life'". April 15, 2017.
  29. ^ "The Agonist Guitarist Responds To Alissa White-Gluz's Accusation Of Betrayal'". April 28, 2017.
  30. ^ "The Agonist – Disconnect Me". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  31. ^ Joe Devito (June 7, 2019). "The Agonist Announce 'Orphans' Album, Debut 'In Vertigo' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  32. ^ "The Agonist – Orphans". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  33. ^ "70000 Tons of Metal Festival Cruise 2020". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  34. ^ Zapata, Mark (January 6, 2020). "The Agonist bassist Chris Kells banned from the U.S for 5 years". metalinsider.net. Metal Insider. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  35. ^ "Laurus Nobilis Music 2020". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  36. ^ Wiggins, Keavin (September 11, 2021). "The Agonist Premiere 'Remnants In Time' Video". antiMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  37. ^ "The Agonist to Release New EP, 'Days Before The World Wept', In October". Blabbermouth.net. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  38. ^ Century Media Records – The Agonist Archived October 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  39. ^ Whish, Bill (September 2007). "The Agonist – Once Only Imagined". Exclaim. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
  40. ^ The Agonist – Business Suits and Combat Boots (Official Video) - YouTube
  41. ^ The Agonist – and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep (Official) - YouTube
  42. ^ The Agonist – Thank You Pain (Official Video) - YouTube
  43. ^ The Agonist – Birds Elope With The Sun - YouTube
  44. ^ The Agonist – Panophobia (Official Video) - YouTube
  45. ^ The Agonist – Gates Of Horn And Ivory (Official Video) - YouTube
  46. ^ The Agonist – My Witness, Your Victim (Official Video) - YouTube
  47. ^ The Agonist – A Gentle Disease (Official Video) - YouTube
  48. ^ The Agonist – Danse Macabre (Official Video) - YouTube
  49. ^ The Agonist – Follow The Crossed Line (Official Video) - YouTube
  50. ^ The Agonist – The Moment (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  51. ^ The Agonist – The Hunt (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  52. ^ The Agonist – The Man Who Fell To Earth (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  53. ^ The Agonist – Take Me To Church (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  54. ^ The Agonist – The Raven Eyes (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  55. ^ The Agonist – In Vertigo (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  56. ^ The Agonist – Burn It All Down (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  57. ^ The Agonist – As One We Survive (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
  58. ^ The Agonist – The Gift of Silence | Napalm Records - YouTube
  59. ^ The Agonist – Orphans | Napalm Records - YouTube
  60. ^ The Agonist – Remnants In Time (Official Video) | Napalm Records - Youtube
  61. ^ "Junos 2020: the complete list of winners". CBC.ca. June 29, 2020. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  62. ^ Gordon, Holly (May 14, 2022). "Here are all the 2022 Juno Award winners". CBC.ca. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
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