- The Agonist
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The Agonist 
The Agonist's guitarist, Danny MarinoBackground information Origin Montreal, Quebec, Canada Genres Metalcore Years active 2004–present Labels Century Media, Act, Spiritual Beast Website www.myspace.com/theagonist Members Alissa White-Gluz
Danny Marino
Pascal "Paco" Jobin
Chris Kells
Simon McKayThe Agonist is a Canadian metalcore band from Montreal, Quebec. Their debut full-length album, Once Only Imagined was released on August 14, 2007. Their second full-length album, Lullabies for the Dormant Mind was released on March 19, 2009. Alissa White-Gluz uses both vocal fry and clean vocals for the band. They have toured with bands such as Arsonists Get All the Girls, Epica, The Faceless, Chelsea Grin, Kamelot, Visions of Atlantis and many more.
Contents
Band history
Beginning and Once Only Imagined (2004-2008)
Main article: Once Only ImaginedThe Agonist (formerly known as The Tempest from 2004–2007), was formed by guitarist Danny Marino, bassist Chris Kells, and vocalist Alissa White-Gluz. Legal issues prompted the name change when they signed a contract with record label Century Media Records. They released their first album Once Only Imagined on August 14, 2007. Originally intended as a demo, the release of Once Only Imagined stimulated 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[1] (Strapping Young Lad, Gwar, God Forbid).[2] The video was voted the number 6 video of the year 2007 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.[3]
After releasing their first album (August 2007), The Agonist toured extensively, playing with bands such as God Forbid, Arsis, The Faceless, Sonata Arctica, Overkill, Epica, Visions of Atlantis, and Enslaved.[2][4][5]
One of the band's tours was disrupted when its 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.[6]
Lullabies for the Dormant Mind (2009-2011)
Main article: Lullabies for the Dormant MindThe band released their second album, called Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, in March 2009.[7] 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,[1] 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".[8]The album debuted at No. 105 on the Billboard Heatseeksers album charts.[9] Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz appeared again as a "hottest chick in metal" in the May 2009 issue of Revolver.[10]
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.[11]
The Escape and third full length album (2011-present)
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.[12] The Agonist will take part in the "Pandemonium over North America" tour with Kamelot, Alestorm and Blackguard. Guitarist Danny Marino will be unable to tour with the band and will be replaced by ex-Catalyst guitarist Justin Deguire. Vocalist White-Gluz confirmed on her facebook account that in support of the tour an EP entitled The Escape will be available on iTunes and through pre-order from CM Distro from September 3. It was mixed by Tue Madsen who is known for his work with The Haunted, Dark Tranquility and Suicide Silence. The EP will have two tracks scheduled to appear on the band's third full length album.[13]
The third studio album is currently slated for an early 2012 release via Century Media records and is being produced by the band's longtime producer Christian Donaldson. [14]Alissa has expressed creative difficulties in writing the record. According to her, Simon was heavily involved in the songwriting process which has influenced her vocals and song structures. 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 will take place after the current tour leading into Christmas. [15]
Style
The Agonist are known primarily for 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.[16][17][18]
Members
- Current
- Alissa White-Gluz - lead vocals (2004–present)
- Danny Marino - guitars (2004–present)
- Pascal "Paco" Jobin - guitars (2010–present)
- Chris Kells - bass, backing vocals (2004–present)
- Simon McKay - drums, percussions (2007–present)
- Touring
- Justin Deguire - guitars (2011)
- Former
- Andrew Tapley - guitars (2007–2008)
- Chris Adolph - guitars (2009)
Discography
Studio albums
Year Title 2007 Once Only Imagined 2009 Lullabies For The Dormant Mind EPs
Year Title 2011 The Escape - EP 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" Music videos
Year Title 2007 "Business Suits and Combat Boots" 2009 "...And Their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep" "Thank You, Pain" References
- ^ a b "David S. Brodsky : MUSIC VIDEOS". Mgenyc.com. http://www.mgenyc.com. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ a b Century Media Records[dead link]
- ^ "Headbangers Ball Top 20 Videos of 2007". Headbangers Blog. MTV. December 28, 2007. http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2007/12/28/viewers-and-hbb-staff-picks-for-top-videos-of-2007/. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ Ca. "The Agonist at MySpace". Myspace.com. http://www.myspace.com/theagonist. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ "The Rise and Fall Community at MySpace". Myspace.com. http://www.myspace.com/theriseandfallcommunity. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ Deachman, Bruce. "Magazine stand", Ottawa Citizen, 2007-06-10, p. C3.
- ^ Ca. "www.myspace.com/theagonist". Myspace.com. http://www.myspace.com/theagonist. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ "The Agonist - Thank You Pain (Official Video)". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jud_SnKTlY. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ "THE AGONIST To Release 'The Escape' EP - Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. 2011-08-15. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "Revolver - May2009". Revolvermag-digital.com. http://www.revolvermag-digital.com/revolver/200905/. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Agonist/147234451992736. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ "THE AGONIST To Release 'The Escape' EP - Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. 2011-08-15. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "TH AGONIST To Release 'The Escape' EP - Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. 2011-08-15. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "THE AGONIST To Release 'The Escape' EP - Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net. 2011-08-15. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ Bax, Mike (2011-08-23). "Interview with Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist - August 14th,2011". http://www.lithiummagazine.com/interview-alissa-white-gluz-agonist-august-14th-2011. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ Century Media Records – The Agonist[dead link]
- ^ Whish, Bill (September 2007). "The Agonist - Once Only Imagined". Exclaim. http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=114&csid2=846&fid1=27160. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ 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. http://www.bravewords.com/news/76060. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- Rahn, Sam (2007-11-16). "Agonist, the Concert Review. Venue: The Pearl Room City/State: Mokena, IL". The Gauntlet. http://www.thegauntlet.com/concertreviews/3814/98/.html. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- The Agonist's Interview - HallOfMetal
External links
Singles "Business Suits and Combat Boots" · "...And Their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep" · "Birds Elope With The Sun" · "Thank You, Pain" ·Categories:- Canadian metalcore musical groups
- Century Media Records artists
- Musical groups established in 2004
- Musical quintets
- Musical quartets
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