Origin: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Genres: Metalcore
Years active: 2001–2008
Labels: Solid State Records, Roadrunner Records, Century Media Records, Abacus Records
Associated acts: After Midnight Project, Burn Halo
Official website: http://www.myspace.com/agonyscene
The Agony Scene was an American band that was formed in 2001 and realesed 3 albums (2003's The Agony Scene, 2005's The Darkest Red and 2007's Get Damned) and 3 music video before call it a day.
Mistakenly considered a christian band for signing it's first contract with Solid State Records, The Agony Scene played a very unique type of metalcore-based sound with groovy guitar riffs, some breakdowns, elements of thrash metal and hardcore punk. One of the main reasons for the band's unique sound was the wide versatility of the vocalist Mike Williams, that could perform high pitched black metal-ish screams, low growls (both were most notorious in the first two albums), mid-screams as well as clean vocals (two last albums). With all the songs being very energetic and groovy the band was considered to be part of New Wave of American Heavy Metal.
2003 was the year that the debut and self-titled album was released under the label of Solid State Records. Produced by Killswitch Engage guitarrist Adam Dutkiewicz, the album is the most traditional and raw of the 3 releases, getting a constant feeling of anger. The black metal-ish vocals were more proeminent in this album wich turned it into an absolutely refreshing strike inside the metalcore scene. This album also featured a The Rolling Stones cover for the song "Painted It Black", which draw attentions to the band.
After a little band re-structuring, The Agony Scene signed with Roadrunner Records and released "The Darkest Red", which saw tthe band moving towards a more commercial approach of their music. The angry and energy where still the base of the songs, but the wrinting was more convencional and Mike Williams started singing clean parts, adding a even darker feelling to the bands music.
In 2007 "Get Damned" was released by Century Media Records. Driven by more line-up changes, specially the departure of first two album's drummer Brent Masters, the band changed their sound, being now more close to hardcore punk or crossover thrash than metalcore as the other releases. Still very energetic, the album, although it is a good album, was received with less entusiam then the other efforts by both fans and critics. That may led to what happened next year. In 2008, and with a newly signed contract with Abacus Records, the members decided that the band has reached his limit. Financial and personal issues were the major causes for the disbandment.
Members:
- Final
- Mike Williams - lead vocals (2002-2008), bass guitar (2001-2002)
- Chris Emmons - lead guitar (2001-2008)
- Brian Hodges - rhythm guitar (2004-2008)
- Ryan Folden - drums (2006-2008)
- Previous
- Daniel Hickman - rhythm guitar (2001-2002)
- Rod Burguiere - lead vocals (2001-2002)
- Johnny Lloyd - lead guitar (2001-2002)
- Matt Shannon - bass guitar (2002-2003)
- Brian Stewart - bass guitar (2003-2004)
- Garrett Grover - bass guitar (2004-2005)
- Brent Masters - drums (2002-2006)
- Matt Horwitz - drums (2006)
- Harry Lloyd - rhythm guitar (2002-2003)
- Stephen Kaye - rhythm guitar (2003-2004)
- Pete Webb - drums (2006)
- Chris Rye - bass guitar (2005-2008)
- Mason Eaton - rhythm guitar, back up vocals (2006-2008)
Discography:
The Agony Scene (2003)
Released: June 10, 2003
Producer: Adam Dutkiewicz
Label: Solid State Records
Tracklist:
1. "We Bury Our Dead At Dawn" – 3:06
2. "Habeas Corpus" – 3:23
3. "Judas" – 4:08
4. "Lines Of Suicide" – 3:12
5. "Eyes Sewn Shut" – 3:13
6. "Nausea" – 4:50
7. "Shotgun Wedding" – 2:45
8. "Vivid" – 3:24
9. "Paint It Black" – 3:27 (The Rolling Stones Cover)
10. "The Damned" – 4:31
Lenght: 36:02
The Darkest Red (2005)
Released:
May 24, 2005
Producer: Rob Caggiano
Label: Roadrunner Records
Tracklist:
1. "Prelude" – 1:15
2. "The Darkest Red" – 3:50
3. "Scars Of Your Disease" – 3:30
4. "Screams Turn To Silence" – 2:55
5. "Sacrifice" – 2:58
6. "Prey" – 3:48
7. "Procession" – 4:36
8. "Suffer" – 4:32
9. "My Dark Desire" – 3:49
10. "Scapegoat" – 2:56
11. "Forever Abandoned" – 3:15
12. "Devilock"
(Misfits cover, bonus track on Japan release and iTunes release)
Lenght: 37:24
Get Damned (2007)
Released: October 23, 2007
Producer: Andreas Magnusson & The Agony Scene
Label: Century Media Records
Tracklist:
1. "Barnburner" - 3:05
2. "Predation" - 3:27
3. "Dances with Devils" - 3:02
4. "Adversary" - 3:28
5. "White Nights" - 4:15
6. "Rapture" - 3:21
7. "Deliverance" - 2:46
8. "Rattle Me Bones" - 2:29
9. "The Opposition" - 3:03
10. "Will to Bleed" - 3:08
11. "Old Scratch" - 4:29
12. * "Do What You Want" - 1:08
13. * "Kill the Poor" - 3:02
Lenght: 36:38
Videos:
"We Bury Our Dead At Dawn" from 2003's album "The Agony Scene"
"Prey" from 2005's album "The Darkest Red"
"Barn Burner" from 2007's album "Get Damned"
Painted It Black - The Rolling Stones Cover by The Agony Scene from the 2003's self titled album
What made me love this band was without doubt the energy that band lend to almost every song, which makes practically impossible not to handbang every time I listen to them. Also, the voice of Mike Williams has allways delighted me. The black metal-ish vocals on a metalcore-based sound was very refreshing at the time. All three albums are good to me. They are different from each other, but the angry, energy and groove are allways there. So sad they split-up.
