The Agonist

The Agonist was a Canadian metalcore and melodic death metal 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 signing to Century Media in 2007. The Agonist released six studio albums; the last, Orphans, was released in September 2019.The Agonist To Release 'Five' Album In September - Blabbermouth.net They shared the stage with bands such as Arsonists Get All the Girls, Epica, the Faceless, Chelsea Grin, Kamelot, and Visions of Atlantis. They disbanded in May 2023.

History

Once Only Imagined (2004−2008)

The band released their first album, Once Only Imagined, on August 14, 2007. Intended as a demo, the release prompted the Agonist to add drummer Simon McKay. Released August 28, 2007, the video for "Business Suits and Combat Boots" was filmed by director David Brodsky (Strapping Young Lad, Gwar, God Forbid).Century Media Records 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, Overkill, Visions of Atlantis, and Enslaved. One of the band's tours was disrupted when a blizzard damaged their equipment trailer in the Rocky Mountains. White-Gluz was named one of "the hottest chicks in metal" in the July 2007 issue of Revolver.Deachman, Bruce. "Magazine stand", Ottawa Citizen, 2007-06-10, p. C3.

Lullabies for the Dormant Mind (2008−2010)

The band released their second album, Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, in March 2009. The mini-video for "...And Their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep", also filmed by David Brodsky, was released April 18, 2009. On April 22, they released the video for "Birds Elope With The Sun," consisting 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 became popular with the release of Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, mostly for their single / video "Thank You Pain". The album debuted at No. 105 on the Billboard Heatseeksers album charts. White-Gluz appeared in March on Blackguard's album Profugus Mortis on the song "The Sword". 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.

Prisoners (2011–2013)

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

White-Gluz told metalconcerts.net that the band's music had become more mature, not necessarily heavier or more melodic. She elaborated by saying there are more "classic" influences like Pantera and Radiohead. She told Lithium Magazine that the record could be good for someone with an open-minded musical taste, or bad for someone who only likes Thank You, Pain. The album's final recording processes took place after the Kamelot tour. 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. In support of Prisoners, the Agonist toured with Danzig and Corrosion of Conformity in North America, and Aldious in Japan.

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

In March 2014, White-Gluz announced that she had been chosen to replace Angela Gossow as frontwoman of Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. She revealed that the group knew it was "over" and that they had parted ways. Vicky Psarakis was 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 had ever felt in her life. The Agonist later released their own public statement disputing her account, citing unprofessional behavior and disrespect for fans and band mates as the reason for her departure, and that the band was "breathing a lot easier" without her. Their fourth album, Eye of Providence, was released on February 23. The EP Disconnect Me was released in April. The album Five was released on September 30, 2016.

Orphans, Days Before the World Wept and disbandment (2019–2023) On June 7, 2019, the band released the single "In Vertigo". Their album Orphans was released on September 20, 2019 through Rodeostar Records. 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". The day before departure, Kells announced that he would be unable to go on the cruise, and that he was banned from entering the United States for five years. Kells issued an explanation, and announced that Pavlo Haikalis would fill in for him. The Agonist was booked to tour the western US in support of Fleshgod Apocalypse, but those dates were cancelled due to Covid restrictions. The band traveled to Portugal for Laurus Nobilis Music Famalicão 2020.

On September 9, 2021, the band released the song "Remnants in Time". On October 15, they released the EP Days Before the World Wept.

On May 10, 2023, the band disbanded due to "a mix of personal, financial and industry related issues".

Musical style The Agonist are known primarily for both White-Gluz and Psarakis' integration of death growls and clean vocals, and Marino's use of two or more intersecting melodies and unorthodox chords that often feature wide intervals and octave displacements. Themes revolve around animal rights, societal dilemmas, and the state of the world.Century Media Records – The Agonist

Band members

Final lineup Danny Marino – lead guitar (2004–2023), rhythm guitar (2004–2007) Chris Kells – bass, backing vocals (2004–2023) Simon McKay – drums (2007–2023) Pascal "Paco" Jobin – rhythm guitar (2010–2023) Vicky Psarakis – lead vocals (2014–2023)

Former Derek Nadon – drums (2004–2007) Andrew Tapley – rhythm guitar (2007–2008) Chris Adolph – rhythm guitar (2008–2010) Alissa White-Gluz – lead vocals (2004–2014)

Live Justin Deguire – rhythm guitar (2011) Pavlo Haikalis - bass, backing vocals (2020, 2022)

Timeline

Discography Studio albums Year Title2007 Once Only Imagined2009 Lullabies for the Dormant Mind2012 Prisoners2015 Eye of Providence2016 Five2019 Orphans

EPs Year Title2011 The Escape2014 Disconnect Me2021 Days Before the World Wept

Singles Year Title Album2007 "Business Suits and Combat Boots"Once Only Imagined2009 "...and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep"Lullabies for the Dormant Mind "Birds Elope with the Sun" "Thank You Pain"2011 "The Escape"Prisoners2012 "Ideomotor"2012 "Panophobia"2014 "Disconnect Me"Eye of Providence2015 "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 Year TitleAlbum2007 "Business Suits and Combat Boots"The Agonist – Business Suits and Combat Boots (Official Video) - YouTubeOnce Only Imagined "...and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep"The Agonist – and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep (Official) - YouTubeLullabies for the Dormant Mind2009 "Thank You Pain"The Agonist – Thank You Pain (Official Video) - YouTube "Birds Elope with the Sun"The Agonist – Birds Elope With The Sun - YouTube2012 "Panophobia"The Agonist – Panophobia (Official Video) - YouTubePrisoners2015 "Gates of Horn and Ivory"The Agonist – Gates Of Horn And Ivory (Official Video) - YouTubeEye of Providence "My Witness, Your Victim"The Agonist – My Witness, Your Victim (Official Video) - YouTube "A Gentle Disease"The Agonist – A Gentle Disease (Official Video) - YouTube "Danse Macabre"The Agonist – Danse Macabre (Official Video) - YouTube "Follow the Crossed Line"The Agonist – Follow The Crossed Line (Official Video) - YouTube2016 "The Moment"The Agonist – The Moment (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTubeFive "The Hunt"The Agonist – The Hunt (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube "The Man Who Fell to Earth"The Agonist – The Man Who Fell To Earth (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube2017 "Take Me to Church"The Agonist – Take Me To Church (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube "The Raven Eyes"The Agonist – The Raven Eyes (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube2019 "In Vertigo"The Agonist – In Vertigo (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTubeOrphans "Burn It All Down"The Agonist – Burn It All Down (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube "As One We Survive"The Agonist – As One We Survive (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube"The Gift of Silence"The Agonist – The Gift of Silence | Napalm Records - YouTube2020"Orphans"The Agonist – Orphans | Napalm Records - YouTube2021"Remnants in Time"The Agonist – Remnants In Time (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YoutubeDays Before the World Wept

Awards and nominations Juno Award

References

External links

Century Media Profile Page (defunct) Official Facebook Page

The Agonist

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