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The Agony Scene

The Agony Scene (2003)
Solid State Records

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Contributed by: FortyMinutesWest
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 24th 2003

I first heard of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s The Agony Scene on MP3.com. I thought they were decent, but somewhat generic. Now fast forward a couple months, I find this CD in my mailbox with a fairly hype filled press release from Solid State. Press releases are always good for a laugh. They try to sound so import and official, all while spewing out a bunch of superlatives about the band. Apparently “The Agony Scene takes the best elements of metal and none of the worst.” Translation: metalcore band.

The Agony Scene is talented, this band knows how to play, and play well. Unfortunately, they sound like a million other bands that came before them. After listening to this I was sure I had heard these songs some place before. Another band who worships the likes of In Flames and At The Gates is nothing new or even all that interesting. Maybe three years ago I would’ve been excited about this, but it’s been done before and it’s been done better.

Maybe I’m just getting jaded, but it seems to me like every band playing heavy music has to give nods to European metal. Now don’t get wrong, I love metal, but there is more out there. There are some nice riffs here and there, and the drumming can be very impressive at times, but that simply isn’t enough to salvage an otherwise mediocre album. On the plus side of things, Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage produced this album and everything sounds exactly how it should. If there was ever the perfect production for this type of album, this would be it.

Apparently Solid State thinks this band is the savior of American melodic metal/metalcore, well I would have to disagree. As Hope Dies, Darkest Hour, Age of Ruin, Killswitch Engage, hell even Dead to Fall and Atreyu are miles ahead of this band right now. I want to like this band, I know they can pull this off and be something more than another face in the crowd. But before anything can happen they need to find their niche and develop their own sound. Until then they’ll just be another MP3.com band with a bad name.

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Anonymous (March 26, 2006)

I like the fact that you guys re-did paint it black.
I like that song better when it has a screaming touch to it becasue I am more into sceaming than just plain stuff.

Very good music.

ice-cold (July 3, 2005)

While this cd is nothing ground breaking and the guitar parts sound similar I wouldn't compare the singing to any of the bands you mentioned. I'm not sure of the guys name but he has a distinct voice and scream/growl, not like anything I've heard including darkest hour, atreyu, killswitch engage. The riffs may be ripped off but no band puts them together in the same package as Agony Scene. I think they have a distinctive style/song structure of their own. I believe Agony Scene does a better job of not letting up the intense consistancy of their sound. Songs I enjoyed the most off this cd: Lines Of Suicide, Shotgun Wedding, We Bury Our Dead At Dawn. My only complaints would be the lame cover art and the cover of paint it black. Not that it's done badly but there should be a law against covering a song after it's already been done 10 times. I've heard it so many times I'm not even interested in how good it could be. If you liked this check out their next cd. Definately a step in the right direction.

Anonymous (September 28, 2004)

the agony scene fucking owns the world

Anonymous (August 19, 2004)

Fuck you guys at punkfaggotassnews.com these guy are the fuckin shit and you know it... you corporate sellout assholes

Anonymous (August 19, 2004)

These guys are the best fuckin hardcore band ever. They musically blow you away by the first song. Their lyrics are like a dark compilation of poetry. And the vocals so unique and versatile. GO BUY THIS CD NOW!!!!

Anonymous (February 16, 2004)

Sure, Killswitch Engage and Darkest Hour are better than The Agony Scene, but like hell that Dead To Fall and Atreyu are.

fraser (June 30, 2003)

"the cover art reminds me of my friend's poster for that movie "jeepers creepers"

Ramo"

as in your friend designed it or s/he just has a copy of the poster?