Angels and Agony

Infobox musical artist
Name = Angels and Agony


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Origin = Netherlands
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Genre = Futurepop, darkwave
Years_active = 1995–present
Label = Out of Line, Metropolis
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URL = [http://www.angelsandagony.com/ angelsandagony.com]
Current_members = Reinier Kahle
Erik Wierenga
Marco van Belle
Fried Bruggink
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Angels and Agony are a Dutch futurepop band consisting of vocalist Reinier Kahle, guitarist Erik Wierenga, DJ Marco van Belle on synthesizer and backing vocals and Fried Bruggink as sound engineer and drummer. The band formed in 1995 and produced two EPs before its first full album, "Eternity" (2001). "Eternity" was produced by VNV Nation's Ronan Harris [ [http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=26998_0_2_1_C Re-release for VNV Nation produced debut Angels & Agony] ] . Other high-profile collaborations include Axel Ermes of Girls Under Glass, Diorama, and SITD [ [http://www.gothtronic.com/?page=23&interviews=987 "Gothtronic" "Angels and Agony go forward"] . Undated interview, retrieved 2007-12-29.] The band's current record label (since "Eternity", 2001) is Out of Line, a German label of industrial- and synthpop-oriented electronic bands. Metropolis Records is the band's US distributor since 2004.

According to Reiner, the name of the band symbolizes the duality of human experience. It was also the name of a graphic novel Reiner worked on in 1995 simultaneously to founding the band. [ [http://vampirefreaks.com/content/comment.php?entry=105&t=Angels+%26+Agony 2007-05-09 interview with Angels and Agony on Vampirefreaks.com] . Retrieved 2007-12-29.]

Similar artists to Angels and Agony are VNV Nation, Assemblage 23, and Covenant. A 2007 interview commented on the musical style of the band, noting that, in contrast with many electro-industrial projects whose lyrics center on violence and provocation, Angels and Agony songs are philosophical and humanist in character. To this Renier replied: "The lyrics are meant to be 'universal', multi-interpretable and objective, in a way.... I'm just not the guy to write songs, singing 'Fuck' 116 times in 4 minutes, or singing I'd like to cut up my bitch or what have you not." [Same.] Metropolis Records describes the band's music thus: "Although the music can be dark and melancholic, but still danceable with pumping beats and sequences, the songs have a very positive message." [ [http://metropolis-records.com/artists/?artist=angels Metropolis Records: Angels and Agony] . Retrieved 2007-12-29.]

Discography

*"Unity", EP (1999)
*"Darkness", EP (2001)
*"Eternity", album (2001) (re-released 2007 with new artwork)
*"Forever", EP (2002)
*"Salvation", EP (2003)
*"Avatar", album (2004)
*"Unison", album (2007)

References

External links

* [http://www.angelsandagony.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.angelsandagony-forum.com/ Angels & Agony Fan forum]
* [http://www.myspace.com/angelsandagony Angels & Agony Myspace]