lrockmetal: The Agonist

The Agonist (formado originalmente como “The Tempest”) é uma banda de metalcore/melodic death metal de Montreal, Canadá formada em 2004. A banda tem contrato com a Century Media Records.
Lançaram seu primeiro álbum “Once Only Imagined” em 14 de Agosto de 2007. Logo depois lançaram o vídeoclipe da música “Business Suits and Combat Boots” que foi dirigido pelo aclamado diretor David Brodsk.
A banda é conhecida principalmente por White-Gluz usar tanto vocais limpos como guturais típicos do Death Metal.
O guitarrista Danny Marino, sobrinho do guitarrista lendário Frank Marino, usa uma técnica melódica e agressiva, fazendo o som do The Agonist suave e pesado ao mesmo tempo. A banda também pode se identificar pelo seu criativo baixista, Chris Kells, e pelo seu baterista cheio de energia, Simon McKay.

Também conhecidos pela sua consciência ambiental, os temas de suas músicas giram em torno de temas como a consciência moral diz respeito dos direitos dos animais, dilemas sociais, e do estado do nosso mundo.

Depois de lançar seu primeiro álbum, entraram em uma grande turnê com bandas como: God Forbid, Arsis, The Faceless, Sonata Arctica, Overkill, Epica, Visions of Atlantis, e Enslaved.
Seu último álbum foi Lullabies For The Dormant Mind, lançado em 2009. Este álbum foi responsável por maior popularidade da banda, principalmente por seu single/vídeo “Thank you, Pain”.

fonte

Canada’s most exciting export, THE AGONIST, strikes back with their second full length, "Lullabies For The Dormant Mind“, combining raw, driving shreds with pure technicality, topped off with Alissa’s brutal growls as well as dramatically melodic clean vocals, taking THE AGONIST to a new level of musical grandeur. The quintet, born in 2004, covers a wide range of styles from classical to black metal. Their debut album, “Once Only Imagined” (2007), caught the eyes and ears of many musicians and music fans alike, and their sophomore album, “Lullabies for the Dormant Mind”, set to be released throughout Europe on February 23rd, 2009, and North America on March 10, 2009, will, once again, prove the diverse talents of these young musicians. The a cappella version of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is only one example of the band’s musical abilities as it impressively exhibits Alissa’s mind blowingly wide range of vocal skills and professionalism as a singer..... Produced by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Mythosis), "Lullabies for the Dormant Mind" exposes new facets of the band and touches upon classical, jazz, opera, grindcore, thrash and black metal (etc) influences in a complete metal opus. Featuring guest violins by Avi Ludmer (Mahogany Rush), orchestrations by classical pianists Melina Soochan and Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc (Blackguard) along with many other Montreal-based contributors, this album is refreshing to hear upon every listen. Following a dark, twisted yet beautiful, surrealist visual concept from Natalie Shau once again, THE AGONIST have created an uncomfortable yet addictive setting for their metal, like being awoken from a bad dream, or falling asleep to escape a nightmarish reality..... On the back of their debut album, THE AGONIST has completed several North American tours alongside a variety of bands including Sonata Arctica, Overkill, Enslaved, Arsis, The Haunted, God Forbid, Epica, The Faceless, Doro, After Forever, etc. and thus managed to build a solid, devoted fan base who loyally supports the music, the message, or both.

The Agonist has also had the honor of being invited to play in Japan, Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico. They were pleased to have their single, ‘Business Suits and Combat Boots’, win honors on Headbanger’s Ball for Viewer’s Choice Best Music Videos of 2007. The Agonist is excited to turn heads with their newest work, “Lullabies for the Dormant Mind”, a daring mix of moods and styles – a challenging album well ahead of its time!

Influências

Iron Maiden, Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, Everytime I Die, Unearth, Arch Enemy, In Flames, Skinless, Pantera, God Forbid, At the Drive in, The Mars Volta, A Perfect Circle, Tool, Meshuggah, The Haunted, Cannibal Corpse, Dark Tranquillity, Poison the Well, Bleeding Through, The Bled, Muse, Queen, The Casualties, Humanifesto, Soilwork, Anti-Flag, Glassjaw, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, AFI, No Doubt, Refused, Deicide, Opeth, Cryptopsy, The Red Chord, Strapping Young Lad, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Killswitch Engage, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Nine Inch Nails, The Beatles, Dragonforce, Otep, Norma Jean, Darkest Hour, Darkane, Gather, 7 Generations, Samuel Barber

Formação atual

Alissa White-Gluz – vocal (2004–presente)

Danny Marino – guitarra (2004–presente)

Chris Kells – baixo (2004–presente)

Simon McKay – bateria (2007–presente)

Pascal "Paco" Jobin - guitarra (2010-presente)

Ex-membros

Andrew Tapley – guitarra (2007–2008)