The Agony Scene

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Michael Williams – Vocals
Christopher Emmons – Guitar
Brian Hodges – Guitar
Chris Rye – Bass
Ryan Folden – Drums


Delving ever deeper into the loathsome and hellish world of singer Mike Williams’ mind, THE AGONY SCENE is firing on all cylinders on its inspired and lovingly titled Century Media debut, Get Damned, produced by Andreas Magnusson (Black Dahlia Murder, Scarlet) and set for an Oct. 23 release date. If you missed out on the first two albums, you’ll want to hear this third, most mature and diverse offering from Tulsa, Oklahoma’s finest purveyors of corrosive hardcore.

Featuring a new drummer (Ryan Folden), a new label home and a renewed perspective, Get Damned is as highly charged and personal a recording as you will hear from THE AGONY SCENE. Brimming with the kind of vitriol that shot their self-titled debut straight through the underground and into the homes of music lovers worldwide, Get Damned is a brisk slap in the face to those who would dare question the momentum of the Tulsa quintet. It’s easy enough to recycle the same formula, but 2007 finds the band reinventing itself by fully embracing its sharper, more metallic elements, complete with cutting riffs and just enough attitude to give the new album that recognizable charm that has come to define THE AGONY SCENE.

The band has gone through a number of transformations, each one representing a subtle shift in the band’s sound. Largely influenced by Swedish melodic death metal, the band’s self-titled debut was certainly representative of where extreme music was headed in 2003, with THE AGONY SCENE beginning to rise through the underground not only through sheer force of will but immense raw talent and a rare energy that transferred incredibly well live. Based on the promise shown on the band’s self-titled disc, Roadrunner Records signed the band, and with Williams and original guitarist Christopher Emmons in place and new additions on guitar, bass and drums, the renewed quintet hit the studio with producer Rob Caggiano from Anthrax to record The Darkest Red. Williams hinted at a deliberate effort to distance the band from its influences at the time, and its more personal and unique feel proved it a successful endeavor.

Shortly after its stint with Roadrunner, the band was welcomed into the Century Media Family. Unfortunately, they encountered a familiar obstacle; replacing the rhythm section. While Brian Hodges moved from bass to guitar, the band lucked out and persuaded newcomers Folden and Chris Rye (bass) to join the fold. The result? A reinvention of form and an absolute revival backed by an even heavier, more volatile sound than that found on their celebrated debut. Williams had the following to say regarding Get Damned:

“We couldn't be happier with the new album. From a writing standpoint we really tried to get back to the way we wrote our self-titled record. We did not hold back creatively and really strived to push the boundaries of what people expected of us. It's definitely the most pissed off we've ever been."

From opener “Barn Burner” to the closing seconds of “Old Scratch,” Get Damned is easily one of THE AGONY SCENE’s more inspired recordings. While Williams has never shied from the darkest and most depraved corners buried beneath the well-kept soil of society, he tackles the most ominous of subjects on tracks like “Dance With Devils,” “Rapture” and “Deliverance.” Fellow band mates Chris Emmons and Brian Hodges give Williams a heavy musical palette with which to work, injecting the release with an onslaught of venomous riffs while retaining a strong sense of melody.

Touring with the likes of Strapping Young Lad, Himsa and Black Dahlia Murder, the band has developed a killer live show to match the intensity of their records. After being off the road for over a year, they launch a nationwide tour with Misery Signals and Emmure in September and October. With a revitalized sound and spanking new record in their arsenal, expect the unexpected when THE AGONY SCENE hits a town near you in support of its best record to date, Get Damned.

darkest hour, unearth, zao, norma jean