No matter which genre your favorite band belongs to, everyone knows that Metal's ultimate power comes from pure raging disenchantment with the world's infestation of problems. The Agonist's newest album "Prisoners" is an exceptional compilation of Hardcore that masterfully channels purely menacing rage into dangerously addicting beauty. Alissa White-Gluz's vocal range is beyond phenomenal and takes you on an unpredictable roller coaster that at any moment will put you at the lowest of the growls and suddenly climax to the highest of screams. Her voice could easily shatter glass; but as a collective and fearsome unit, THE AGONIST is out to shatter the world.

The opening track "You're Coming With Me" is no joke. Lured in by the soft acoustic opening, you will be dragged mercilessly into this song's sinister core as you experience Alissa's phenomenal vocal ferocity joining forces with guitarist Danny Marino's rapid riffs and drummer Simon McKay'sbeats. "Ideomotor" is sure to get crowds really riled up with its explosive guitar work and relentless stream of thoughts charging out from Alissa's angry and (presumably) exhausted throat. While this sonically savage attitude is gladly embraced by Metalheads everywhere, sometimes forty five minutes of screaming can make your eardrums weary. THE AGONIST recognizes the necessity of balance of beauty and brutality, showcased in almost every track but notably ones such as "The Escape" and "Dead Ocean". The latter song contains harmonies that soothe the soul. It took me back to the first time I heard Alissa's rendition of "Swan Lake" off of their last album "Lullabies".

"Prisoners" has escaped to a music store near you, and if you have become a fan of the upcoming hardcore scene, THE AGONIST is definitely one of the top tier bands in this rather broad genre.  If you have been a long-time fan of this band, "Prisoners" will arrest your imagination from beginning to end.