the Agonist

File:Alissa White-Gluz with The Agonist.jpg

{{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).[http://www.centurymedia.com/us/single_artist.php?ID=80 Century Media Records] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009225345/http://www.centurymedia.com/us/single_artist.php?ID=80 |date=October 9, 2007 }} 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,{{cite web |title=Sonata Arctica / Firewind / The Agonist, Sept 2007 |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/sonata-arctica-firewind-the-agonist |website=concertarchives.org |publisher=Concert Archives |access-date=25 January 2022}} Overkill, Visions of Atlantis, and Enslaved.{{cite web |title=Abigail Williams / Enslaved / The Faceless / Arsis / The Agonist, Nov 2007 |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/enslaved-with-the-faceless-and-arsis-at-peabody-s-november-14-2007 |website=concertarchives.org |publisher=Concert Archives |access-date=25 January 2022}}{{cite web |author=Ca |url=http://www.myspace.com/theagonist |title=The Agonist at MySpace |publisher=Myspace.com |access-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501095935/http://www.myspace.com/theagonist |url-status=dead }} 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.Deachman, Bruce. "Magazine stand", Ottawa Citizen, 2007-06-10, p. C3.

File:The Agonist at Nosturi, Helsinki.jpg

{{Main article|Lullabies for the Dormant Mind}}

The band released their second album, Lullabies for the Dormant Mind, in March 2009.{{cite web|author=Ca |url=http://www.myspace.com/theagonist |title=www.myspace.com/theagonist |publisher=Myspace.com |access-date=March 3, 2011}} 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".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jud_SnKTlY |title=The Agonist – Thank You Pain (Official Video) |date=September 8, 2009 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=March 3, 2011}} The album debuted at No. 105 on the Billboard Heatseeksers album charts.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450|title=The Agonist To Release 'The Escape' EP – Aug. 25, 2011|publisher=blabbermouth.net|date=August 15, 2011|access-date=August 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629213044/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450|archive-date=June 29, 2012}}

Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz appeared in March on Blackguard's album Profugus Mortis on the song "The Sword"{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}. 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.{{cite web |title=Live broadcasting Milwaukee show, Nov 2010 |url=https://www.epica.nl/news/2010-11-2010-11-28-live-broadcasting-milwaukee-show-usa |website=epica.nl |publisher=Epica |access-date=25 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Agonist/147234451992736 |title=Niet compatibele browser |publisher=Facebook |access-date=March 3, 2011}}

{{Main article|Prisoners (album)}}

In late 2011, the Agonist took part in Kamelot's Pandemonium Over North America 2010 Tour{{cite web |last1=Pierce |first1=Ken |title=Kamelot Announces...July 2010 |url=https://www.piercingmetal.com/kamelot-announces-pandemonium-over-north-america-2010-tour/ |website=piercingmetal.com |date=July 28, 2010 |publisher=Piercing Metal |access-date=25 January 2022}} 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,{{cite web |title=The Agonist – The Escape |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4289645-The-Agonist-The-Escape |website=discogs.com |publisher=Discogs |access-date=25 January 2022}} two tracks scheduled to appear on the band's third full-length album.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450|title=The Agonist To Release 'The Escape' EP – Aug. 25, 2011|publisher=blabbermouth.net|date=August 15, 2011|access-date=August 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629213044/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162450|archive-date=June 29, 2012}} 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.{{cite web |title=MetalConcerts.net Interview Alissa White-Gluz |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzMC0Fo02YI |website=youtube.com | date=July 2011 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=25 January 2022}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.lithiummagazine.com/interview-alissa-white-gluz-agonist-august-14th-2011|title=Interview with Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist – August 14th,2011|last=Bax|first=Mike|date=August 23, 2011|access-date=August 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105050016/http://lithiummagazine.com/interview-alissa-white-gluz-agonist-august-14th-2011|archive-date=November 5, 2011}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Zach |title=Danzig Announces Tour Dates With Corrosion Of Conformity And The Agonist, Feb 2013 |url=https://metalinsider.net/touring/danzig-announces-tour-dates-with-corrosion-of-conformity-and-the-agonist |website=metalinsider.net |date=February 15, 2013 |publisher=Metal Insider |access-date=25 January 2022}}{{cite web| url=http://www.rockrevoltmagazine.com/news-the-agoni…-of-conformity| publisher=Rock Revolt Magazine| date=February 15, 2013| title=The Agonist announces tour dates with Danzig, Corrosion of Conformity}} {{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}{{cite web |title = 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。 |url = https://gekirock.com/news/2012/08/the_agonist_live.php |work = Geki-Rock |language = ja |date = 2012-08-23 |access-date = 2022-07-10}}

File:The Agonist, B90, November 8, 2022 03.jpg

{{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.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alissa-white-gluz-getting-fired-from-the-agonist-was-the-worst-betrayal-ive-ever-felt-in-my-life/|title=Alissa White-Gluz: Getting Fired From The Agonist Was 'The Worst Betrayal I've Ever Felt In My Life'|date=April 15, 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-agonist-guitarist-responds-to-alissa-white-gluz-accusation-of-betrayal/|title=The Agonist Guitarist Responds To Alissa White-Gluz's Accusation Of Betrayal'|date=April 28, 2017}} 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.

On June 7, 2019, the band released a new single "In Vertigo".{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/the-agonist-orphans-in-vertigo/|title=The Agonist Announce 'Orphans' Album, Debut 'In Vertigo' Video|author=Joe Devito|publisher=Loudwire|date=June 7, 2019|access-date=June 7, 2019}} 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".{{cite web |title=70000 Tons of Metal Festival Cruise 2020 |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/70000-tons-of-metal-festival-cruise-2020 |website=concertarchives.org |publisher=Concert Archives |access-date=2 January 2022}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Zapata |first1=Mark |title=The Agonist bassist Chris Kells banned from the U.S for 5 years |url=https://metalinsider.net/touring/the-agonist-bassist-chris-kells-banned-from-the-u-s-for-5-years |website=metalinsider.net |date=January 6, 2020 |publisher=Metal Insider |access-date=2 January 2022}} 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.{{cite web |title=Laurus Nobilis Music 2020 |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/laurus-nobilis |website=concertarchives.org |publisher=Concert Archives |access-date=2 January 2022}}

On September 9, 2021, the band released their new song "Remnants in Time".{{cite web |last1=Wiggins |first1=Keavin |title=The Agonist Premiere 'Remnants In Time' Video |url=https://www.antimusic.com/news/2021/September/11The_Agonist_Premiere_Remnants_In_Time_Video.shtml |website=antiMusic |access-date=September 19, 2021 |date=September 11, 2021}} On October 15, they released the EP Days Before the World Wept.{{cite web |title=The Agonist to Release New EP, 'Days Before The World Wept', In October |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-agonist-to-release-new-ep-days-before-the-world-wept-in-october/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=September 19, 2021 |date=September 9, 2021}}

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".

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.[http://ecard.centurymedia.com/theagonist/ Century Media Records – The Agonist] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009022510/http://ecard.centurymedia.com/theagonist/ |date=October 9, 2007 }} {{cite news|url=http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=114&csid2=846&fid1=27160|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703162952/http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=114&csid2=846&fid1=27160|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 3, 2012|title=The Agonist – Once Only Imagined|last=Whish|first=Bill|date=September 2007|work=Exclaim|access-date=November 14, 2008}}

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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)

{{col-3}}

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)

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Live members

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

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Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

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}}

{{awards table}}

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

|-

!scope="row"| 2020

| Orphans

| Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite news |author= |date=June 29, 2020 |title=Junos 2020: the complete list of winners |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/junos-2020-the-complete-list-of-winners-1.5483821 |work=CBC.ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121173540/https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/junos-2020-the-complete-list-of-winners-1.5483821|archive-date=January 21, 2022 |access-date=March 2, 2022}}

|-

!scope="row"| 2022

| Days Before the World Wept

| Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Holly |date=May 14, 2022 |title=Here are all the 2022 Juno Award winners |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/here-are-all-the-2022-juno-award-winners-1.6453668 |url-status=live |work=CBC.ca |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220515124941/https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/here-are-all-the-2022-juno-award-winners-1.6453668 |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022 }}

|}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=180 Century Media Profile Page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720081022/http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=180 |date=July 20, 2018 }} (defunct)
• [https://www.facebook.com/TheAgonistOfficial Official Facebook Page]

{{The Agonist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agonist}}

Category:2004 establishments in Quebec

Category:Canadian heavy metal musical groups

Category:Canadian death metal musical groups

Category:Canadian metalcore musical groups

Category:Canadian musical quintets

Category:Musical groups established in 2004

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2023

Category:Musical groups from Montreal

Category:Napalm Records artists

Category:Female-fronted musical groups