The Agonist - Lullabies for the Dormant Mind
Like a cornucopia Montreal scene continues to provide. Metal darling The Agonist releases its sophomore album to attentive ears, who only found the band after the eyes spotted female vocalist Alissa White-Gluz. This beautiful barking bitch is declared in 2007 as one of the "Hottest Chicks in Metal" by Revolver magazine, she's definitely a head turner.
Putting aside lesbian fantasies of Angela Gassow and Amy Lee hooking up, the outfit is a heavenly cross between Arch Enemy and Evanesence. Alissa soars beyond Amy Lee her predecessors ranges, listen to the a capella song 'Swan Lake'. But, stands toe to toe with Mistress Gassow.
The band is not obscured by the singers shadow. Songs boarder on being riff-salads, but catchy hooks and dips keep it fresh. Through breakdowns and solos each members displays his talent in full. If 'Birds Elope with the Sun' rises the guitars to the sky, then 'When the Bough Breaks' brings them to a crushing fall.
The album imagery hearkens to chilling winters of the northern wold of Canada. 'Waiting out the Winter' expresses the true harshness of the long and terrible season. However, the technical precision and layered vocals leaves one to wonder they can hold up live.
