The Agonist

This article is about the Canadian band. For other uses, seeagonist (disambiguation).

The Agonist
The Agonist in Gdańsk, 2022
Background information
Origin	Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Genres	Metalcore melodic death metal deathcore progressive metal
Years active	2004–2023
Labels	Napalm Records Century Media Act Spiritual Beast Rodeostar Records
Past members	Danny Marino Chris Kells Simon McKay Pascal Jobin Vicky Psarakis Alissa White-Gluz Andrew Tapley Chris Adolph Pavlo Haikalis

The Agonistwas a Canadianmetalcoreband fromMontreal,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 vocalistVicky Psarakis,who joined in March 2014 following the departure of vocalist and founding memberAlissa White-Gluz.

Originally known as the Tempest, the band adopted their current moniker upon their signing toCentury Mediain 2007. The Agonist had released six studio albums; the last, Orphans, was released in September 2019.They had shared the stage with bands such asArsonists Get All the Girls,Epica,the Faceless,Chelsea Grin,Kamelot,andVisions of Atlantis.The band announced in May 2023 that they would be breaking up due to "a mix of personal, financial and industry related issues".

History

Once Only Imagined(2004−2008)

Main article:Once Only Imagined

The band released their first albumOnce Only Imaginedon 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 withGod Forbid,Arsis,Sonata Arctica,Overkill,Visions of Atlantis,andEnslaved.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 ofRevolver.

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 albumLullabies 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 Painpremiered on the Peta2 Blog on September 3, 2009. The band achieved major popularity with the release ofLullabies for the Dormant Mind,mostly for their single / video "Thank You Pain".The album debuted at No. 105 on theBillboard Heatseeksersalbum charts. Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz appeared in March onBlackguard'salbumProfugus Mortison the song "The Sword".She was again named the "hottest chick in metal" in the May 2009 issue ofRevolver.

While touringLullabies for the Dormant Mind,the Agonist made their first trips to Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, China, Colombia, and toured Europe. They toured withEpicaandScar Symmetryin December 2010.

Prisoners(2011–2013)

Main article:Prisoners (album)

Poster for a November 2012 concert in Osaka, Japan.

In late 2011, the Agonist took part inKamelot's Pandemonium Over North America 2010 TourwithAlestormandBlackguard.Marino was unable to tour with the band and was replaced by ex-Catalyst guitarist Justin Deguire. While on tour, the band sold the EPThe Escape,two tracks scheduled to appear on the band's third full-length album.It wasmixedby 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 likePanteraandRadiohead.She toldLithium Magazinethat the record could be good for someone with an open mind musical taste, or bad for someone who only likesThank 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 albumPrisonerson 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'sHeavy MontréalFestival.In support ofPrisoners,the Agonist toured withDanzigandCorrosion of Conformityin North America, andAldiousin Japan.

White-Gluz's departure,Eye of ProvidenceandFive(2014–2016)

Main articles:Eye of Providence (album)andFive (The Agonist album)

In March 2014, White-Gluz announced that she had been chosen as the replacement forAngela Gossowas frontwoman of the Swedish melodic death metal bandArch Enemy.She also revealed that the group knew it was "over" and that she and they had parted ways.Vicky Psarakiswas then revealed as the new lead singer of the group. In April 2017, White-Gluz revealed detailed the circumstances of her departure and how she considered it the "biggest 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 EPDisconnect Mewas released in April.The albumFivewas released on September 30, 2016.

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

On June 7, 2019, the band released a new single "In Vertigo".Their albumOrphanswas then released on September 20, 2019 through Rodeostar Records.Orphanswas nominated as Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at theJuno Awards of 2020.

From January 7–11, 2020, the band took part in the70000 Tons of Metalcruise, 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 ofFleshgod 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 EPDays Before the World Wept.

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".

Musical style

The Agonist are known primarily for both White-Gluz and Psarakis' integration of bothdeath growlsandclean 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 asanimal 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 members

• 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 members

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

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

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

EPs

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

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"
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

Year	Title	Album
2007	"Business Suits and Combat Boots"	Once Only Imagined
	"...and Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep"	Lullabies for the Dormant Mind
2009	"Thank You Pain"
	"Birds Elope with the Sun"
2012	"Panophobia"	Prisoners
2015	"Gates of Horn and Ivory"	Eye of Providence
	"My Witness, Your Victim"
	"A Gentle Disease"
	"Danse Macabre"
	"Follow the Crossed Line"
2016	"The Moment"	Five
	"The Hunt"
	"The Man Who Fell to Earth"
2017	"Take Me to Church"
	"The Raven Eyes"
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

Awards and nominations

Juno Award

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

External links

• Century Media Profile PageArchivedJuly 20, 2018, at theWayback Machine(defunct)
• Official Facebook Page