Antagony
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Bay Area, California , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, music videos |
Antagony is a deathcore and metalcore group originating from the Bay Area of California, established in 1998. The band dissolved in 2009 but reunited a decade later in 2019. They are recognized for their fusion of metalcore with pronounced death metal elements, earning them a reputation as trailblazers within the deathcore scene. Over their career, Antagony has produced three studio albums, each released under a different record label. Several members have gone on to create other projects such as Oblivion and All Shall Perish.
History
Formed in 1998 by ex-members of the metalcore outfit Y.F.H., including Nick Vasallo, Carlos Saldana, Ben Orum, and Jody Handy, Antagony crafted a distinctive sound by merging components of grindcore, hardcore, death metal, tribal drumming, and doom. This eclectic style was first introduced on their debut EP Expect the Worst. Their initial full-length release, See Through These Eyes (2001), polished their approach and solidified their standing as a prominent force within the Bay Area's underground extreme metal community, sharing stages with notable acts like Malevolent Creation, Incantation, and Pig Destroyer.
After completing the Triangle of Hate Tour U.S.A. in 2001, Antagony entered a hiatus while members engaged in other musical endeavors. Upon regrouping with new additions Kyle Anderson, Christian Mitchell, and Carlos Saldana, they launched Rebirth in 2005, which compiled compositions developed since 2001. Despite positive reception, the album's release was considered delayed by approximately two years.
Their next release, Days of Night, demonstrated a departure from prioritizing audience expectations toward embracing a more diverse sonic palette that included cellos, fragmented piano melodies, choral arrangements, intricate metronome rhythms, and multi-layered overdubs. This album showcased more classical compositional structures as opposed to the previous reliance on continuous sectional shifts. This progression elevated their live shows and impacted contemporaries within the genre. Drummer Justin Hughes exited during the recording sessions but is featured on three tracks.
Antagony ceased activities in 2009 after ten years together. Founding members Nick Vasallo and Ben Orum subsequently initiated the death metal project Oblivion.
Band members
- Current lineup
- Nick Vasallo – vocals, guitar (1998–2009, 2019–present), bass (2008–2009)
- Ben Orum – guitar (1998–2004, 2019–present), vocals (1998–2003)
- Carlos Saldana – bass guitar (1998–2001), vocals (2004–2009, 2019–present)
- Bray Almini – bass (2002–2004, 2019–present)
- Luis Martinez – drums (2008–2009, 2019–present)
- Former members
- Jody Handy – drums (1998–2000; deceased 2009)
- Justin Hughes – drums (2000–2007)
- Cayson Russo – vocals (2003)
- Christian Mitchell – bass (2004–2008)
- Phil Cancilla – drums (2007)
- Brian Camera – drums (2007–2008)
- Kyle Anderson – guitar (2004–2009)
- Ryan Rey – guitar (2006–2009)
Timeline
Discography
- Studio albums
| Album details | Released |
|---|---|
See Through These Eyes
|
June 1, 2001 |
Rebirth
|
June 1, 2005 |
Days of Night
|
December 21, 2008 |
Ashes
|
May 24, 2019 |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Cultivate and Collapse" | Carlos Saldana |
| 2008 | "Days of Night" | Carlos Saldana |