Antagonist A.D.
| Antagonist A.D. | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Metalcore |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | UNFD, Trial & Error, Elevenfiftyseven, Mediaskare |
| Website | www |
| Members | Sam Crocker Israel McDean Matthew Livingstone Luke Manson Joshua Moffitt |
| Past members | Sean O'Kane Connelly Brendan Wishnowsky Ross McDougall Kris 'Boozey' Bosman Milon William |
Antagonist A.D. are a metalcore band from Auckland, New Zealand, formed in 2005.
Antagonist A.D started in 2005 by vocalist Sam Crocker and bassist Joshua Moffitt. The intention was to create a fast heavy metal hardcore band in the vein of unrelenting American acts such as Martyr A.D. and Until the End combined with "Euro" breaks similar to European bands Arkangel and Maroon.
Known then as simply Antagonist—feeling the bands shared similar ideals and ethos the name was taken from Maroon's debut full-length.
The original line-up also comprised drummer Brendon Wishnowsky and Sean Connolly. The band quickly recorded a well received four-song demo with Ulcerate's Jamie Saint Merat. Some releases of this demo following the main pressing featured a fifth song entitled "Some Glory".
The end of 2005 saw the band lose original guitarist Sean and drummer Brendon, but gain guitarists Kris Bosman, Ross Mcdougall and drummer Israel Mcdean. The line-up at this point boasted a remarkable and promising pedigree composed of former members of notable New Zealand hardcore/metalcore bands The Warpath, 21 Guns, Kill Me Quickly, Evil Priest and Promise of Bloodshed.
The band's debut full-length These Cities, Our Graves was recorded in early 2006 by Avalanche City frontman David Baxter (then guitarist in metalcore band One Must Fall). The album was released on 1157 records (previously a home to NZ hardcore greats such as DSM, Balance and The Bleeders).
Lyrically, the band stood apart from others in there genre as well as local acts with their subject matter. Covering topics widely left alone in Australasia like animal and women's rights—tracks such as "Show Some Heart", "Suicide Girls" and "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." became signatures for the band.
It was at this point when the band made their first trip to Australia with the help of Washed Up Records label owner Tommy Dollars. Playing in Victoria and South Australia with well-known local bands Stronghold, Her Nightmare and, then, relatively 'new' band, The Red Shore the band as well as various Queensland dates supporting US hardcore band Most Precious Blood. It was the first time in years that a New Zealand hardcore band had made the trip across the Tasman.
Gaining momentum and a solid fan base throughout Australia the band was quickly picked up by Melbourne-based label Trial & Error Records. An Australian version of These Cities, Our Graves was released through Trial & Error Records in 2008. Featuring two brand new tracks, "Distance" and "Stranger".
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