The Agonist

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 (Strapping Young Lad, Gwar, God Forbid). 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 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.

''Lullabies for the Dormant Mind'' (2008−2010)

Main article: Lullabies for the Dormant Mind

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" 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". The album debuted at No. 105 on the Billboard Heatseeksers album charts. Vocalist Alissa 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)

Main article: Prisoners (album)

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 by 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 has 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 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. 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)

Main article: Eye of Providence (album), 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. 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. 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 a new single "In Vertigo". Their album Orphans was then 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 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. 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.

On September 9, 2021, the band released their new 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 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.

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)

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Colors = id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass,_backing_vocals id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:ep value:gray(0.5) legend:Other_release

LineData= layer:back at:08/14/2007 color:studio at:02/23/2009 color:studio at:01/11/2011 color:ep at:06/04/2012 color:studio at:04/25/2014 color:ep at:02/23/2015 color:studio at:09/30/2016 color:studio at:09/20/2019 color:studio at:10/15/2021 color:ep

BarData= bar:Alissa text:"Alissa White-Gluz" bar:Vicky text:"Vicky Psarakis" bar:Danny text:"Danny Marino" bar:Andrew text:"Andrew Tapley" bar:Chris text:"Chris Adolph" bar:Pascal text:"Pascal Jobin" bar:Kells text:"Chris Kells" bar:Nadon text:"Derek Nadon" bar:Simon text:"Simon McKay"

PlotData = width:11 bar:Alissa from:01/01/2004 till:03/02/2014 color:vocals bar:Vicky from:03/02/2014 till:05/10/2023 color:vocals bar:Danny from:01/01/2004 till:05/10/2023 color:lguitar bar:Danny from:01/01/2004 till:01/01/2007 color:rguitar width:3 bar:Andrew from:01/01/2007 till:01/01/2008 color:rguitar bar:Chris from:01/01/2008 till:01/01/2010 color:rguitar bar:Pascal from:01/01/2010 till:05/10/2023 color:rguitar bar:Kells from:01/01/2004 till:05/10/2023 color:bass bar:Nadon from:01/01/2004 till:01/01/2007 color:drums bar:Simon from:01/01/2007 till:05/10/2023 color:drums

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Music videos

Awards and nominations

Juno Award

!Ref. |- !scope="row"| 2020 | Orphans | Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year | |- !scope="row"| 2022 | Days Before the World Wept | Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year | |}

References

References

1. "The Agonist - Orphans".
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4. (May 26, 2015). "Epica Announces North American Tour...". Epica.
5. (January 19, 2013). "Cradle of Filth, The Faceless...Jan 2013". Loudwire.
6. (June 24, 2009). "The Agonist Upcoming London...June 2009". BraveWords.
7. (September 29, 2011). "The Agonist: Final Video Update From KAMELOT Tour, Sept 2011". Blabbermouth.
8. (March 25, 2010). "Sarah Jezebel Deva, The Agonist...March 2010". Blabbermouth.
9. (May 10, 2023). "The Agonist Calls It Quits".
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16. (September 8, 2009). "The Agonist – Thank You Pain (Official Video)". YouTube.
17. (August 15, 2011). "The Agonist To Release 'The Escape' EP – Aug. 25, 2011". blabbermouth.net.
18. (November 28, 2010). "Live broadcasting Milwaukee show, Nov 2010". Epica.
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23. (July 2011). "MetalConcerts.net Interview Alissa White-Gluz". YouTube.
24. Bax, Mike. (August 23, 2011). "Interview with Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist – August 14th,2011".
25. (February 15, 2013). "Danzig Announces Tour Dates With Corrosion Of Conformity And The Agonist, Feb 2013". Metal Insider.
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27. (2012-08-23). "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.
28. (April 15, 2017). "Alissa White-Gluz: Getting Fired From The Agonist Was 'The Worst Betrayal I've Ever Felt In My Life'".
29. (April 28, 2017). "The Agonist Guitarist Responds To Alissa White-Gluz's Accusation Of Betrayal'".
30. Joe Devito. (June 7, 2019). "The Agonist Announce 'Orphans' Album, Debut 'In Vertigo' Video". [[Loudwire]].
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32. (January 6, 2020). "The Agonist bassist Chris Kells banned from the U.S for 5 years". Metal Insider.
33. "Laurus Nobilis Music 2020". Concert Archives.
34. (September 11, 2021). "The Agonist Premiere 'Remnants In Time' Video".
35. (September 9, 2021). "The Agonist to Release New EP, 'Days Before The World Wept', In October".
36. [http://ecard.centurymedia.com/theagonist/ Century Media Records – The Agonist] {{webarchive. link. (October 9, 2007)
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38. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZo4bOZf3B4 The Agonist – Business Suits and Combat Boots (Official Video) - YouTube]
39. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXzIeI0mkFI The Agonist – and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep (Official) - YouTube]
40. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jud_SnKTlY The Agonist – Thank You Pain (Official Video) - YouTube]
41. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP0AanV5MME The Agonist – Birds Elope With The Sun - YouTube]
42. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdT7M4f2L9A The Agonist – Panophobia (Official Video) - YouTube]
43. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urcLhku0I7Y The Agonist – Gates Of Horn And Ivory (Official Video) - YouTube]
44. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To3-0Q8EUrM The Agonist – My Witness, Your Victim (Official Video) - YouTube]
45. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnsAObY7Fw0 The Agonist – A Gentle Disease (Official Video) - YouTube]
46. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1--pTLaVBc The Agonist – Danse Macabre (Official Video) - YouTube]
47. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WEycITU9p4 The Agonist – Follow The Crossed Line (Official Video) - YouTube]
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60. Gordon, Holly. (May 14, 2022). "Here are all the 2022 Juno Award winners". [[CBC.ca]].