The Agony Scene
S/T
Solid State Records

Metal isn't supposed to make you feel good. It isn't supposed to be songs about love, heartache, or even unity (unless you're an old-school hardcore band, then it's almost a must). You know that an aggressive band does it's job when you finish listening to the album and you feel like you have been beaten to a pulp with a mammoth sledge-hammer, yet your eyes are still open wide in awe and wonder.

The Agony Scene brings the pain.

Utilizing duel electric guitars, beefy bass guitar, thundering double-bass drums, and one helluva vocalist, The Agony Scene enlisted Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage, engineering for Norma Jean, etc) to produce the album. Immediately noticeable is how they effectively develop the guitar parts in a Cradle of Filth esque style in such a way that you have to pay complete attention to fully grasp which guitarist is doing what (good luck with that...).

This is one of the most exciting metal albums that I have had the pleasure of listening to in at least a year. Aside from a couple minor songs this album is full of very solid songs (plus they have a great cover of The Rolling Stones' Paint It Black). A very nice addition for Solid State.

Mike Frost
www.buzzgrinder.com