THE AGONIST’s Former Drummer SIMON McKAY Gearing Up To Release Debut Solo Album
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Simon McKay, former drummer for The Agonist out of Montreal, is gearing up to release his debut solo album. He has launched a Kickstarter campaign to assist with the costs of making the record and has shared the following message:
“For almost 20 years, I had the privilege of touring the world, recording 7 albums, and being a part of a truly unique and special band. We were nominated for two Juno Awards and brought Canadian metal to stages across the world. But from the very beginning, I always had another dream: to create a solo album from the ground up, that is unapologetically myself.
Since The Agonist disbanded a couple of years ago, I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into writing and recording my debut solo album. What makes this project especially meaningful is that I wrote and recorded every instrument myself – guitar, bass, vocals, and of course drums – everything you hear on the album either comes from my hands, or my mouth. It’s a full and honest expression of who I am as a musician and songwriter. The music blends all my early heavier influences such as Opeth, Emperor, and Enslaved, to name a few, to more modern progressive sounds like Leprous, Porcupine Tree, with a strong emphasis on melodic, emotional, yet atmospheric and catchy songwriting. Each track differs from the other, yet it still creates a unified listening experience. To me, there is no feeling as exhilarating or euphoric as knowing that my art is felt by my listeners. As a creator, this is why I exist! To transcend through my art, provoking thoughts and emotions from the depths of my soul.
This journey hasn’t been without challenges. Recently, I was diagnosed with focal dystonia, a rare neurological disorder that has significantly impacted my drumming. It’s made everything more difficult – physically, mentally, and emotionally, but I refuse to let it stop me. Music has always been my therapy, my identity, and my lifeblood. This album is my way of pushing through and creating something lasting, no matter what obstacles lie ahead. This will be the first of many, I would like to be an established solo artist, and take this project to the stage with live musicians. This will arguably be the most important album I ever release.
The lyrics are deeply personal, they reflect real-life struggles, introspection, growth, the pain of loss, spirituality, and the ongoing journey to discover one’s higher self. The melodies will take you to a place that’s dark, ethereal, and haunting – yet strangely comforting. It’s the kind of emotional landscape I’ve often found myself in… and maybe, just maybe, you have too. We all carry pain, it’s part of being human. But music has a way of wrapping around us like armor, offering comfort in a world that so often feels cold and unforgiving.
This album WILL be finished! I’ve already paid for much of it, and I’m committed to seeing this through.”
Go to this location for full details on McKay’s Kickstarter campaign.
Formed in 2004, The Agonist released six albums and three EPs between 2007 and 2021. Founding vocalist Alissa White-Gluz left the band in 2014 and was replaced by current SickSense singer Vicky Psarakis. On May 10, 2023, the band issued a statement that they would be breaking up due to “a mix of personal, financial and industry related issues.”
Simon McKay was the band’s drummer from 2007 until 2023.
(Source: www.bravewords.com)
