Fans of Star Trek will recognize the source of Agonizer's name, but the Finnish band's first full-length did not come at warp speed. They recorded a few demos and a self-released EP and then participated in several contests. They won second place out of nearly 150 bands in the Finnish Metal Expo's demo contest and represented Finland in Wacken's "Metal Battle" contest and did very well. They recorded this album and signed to Finland's Spinefarm Records.
Melodic and bombastic are two good ways to describe Birth/The End. The songs are really catchy and after only a couple of listens you'll find yourself humming or singing along. "Everyone Of Us" is especially memorable and could easily be a radio hit. Agonizer's style is a combination of melodic metal and power metal. In addition to the crunchy guitars there are plenty of atmospheric keyboards.
The band's vocalist is Pasi Kärkkäinen, who doesn't sing with the usual high pitched, vibrato-heavy power metal style. His voice is mid-ranged with a lot of expressiveness and emotion and a bit of an edge. Birth/The End has a lot of accessible hooks, but also a tinge of melancholy and enough heaviness to satisfy.
