Agnostic Front

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English Template:Infobox musical artist Agnostic Front is an American hardcore punk band from New York City.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> Founded in 1980, the band is considered an important influence on the New York hardcore scene, as well as a pioneer of the crossover thrash genre.<ref name=":0" />

History

First era (1980–1992)

Formed in 1980 with Vincent "Vinnie Stigma" Capuccio (formerly of the Eliminators) on lead guitar,<ref name="Blush2001">Template:Cite book</ref> with Diego on bass, Rob Krekus (aka Robby Crypt Crash)<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> on drums and John Watson on vocals. Despite being billed at their first concert as the Zoo Crew, Stigma introduced them as Agnostic Front, saying that the poster had been made prior to deciding on the name.<ref name="NYHC Live 13">Template:Cite AV media</ref> They soon added Ray Barbieri, aka Raybeez, on drums and Adam Mucci on bass.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> After Watson was arrested, the band hired James Kontra as their vocalist, who eventually quit before a performance at Great Gildersleeves after a disagreement with Capuccio about how to hand out stickers.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Although never having spoken to him before, Stigma told some of his friends to ask Roger Miret (former bass player of the Psychos) if he wanted to be the vocalist of Agnostic Front, because he liked his style of slam dancing.<ref name="Blush2001" /><ref name="NYHC Live 13" /> In 1983, this lineup recorded their debut EP United Blood. The EP was officially released later that year, however by that point Mucci had departed from the band, and been replaced by Todd Youth.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

During its initial phase, the band consisted entirely of skinheads. Although this would change over time, Agnostic Front would continue to feature skinheads as part of their lineup. This led to a belief among some that the band espoused ultra-nationalist or fascist politics, an assertion denied by vocalist Roger Miret in a 1985 Flipside interview:

"...We're skinheads. And the skinheads in England have a very bad name like with the fascists and stuff like that. But this is America not England. Just because the skinheads are fascists over there doesn't mean we got to grow our hair out if we don't feel like it.... We love our country—but not necessarily how our government works."<ref>Donny the Punk, "Agnostic Front," Flipside, whole no. 45 (March 1985), pg. 54.</ref>

They were later accused of racism in the song "Public Assistance" by Phil Donahue in a 1986 show on New York hardcore punk.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Their debut album, Victim in Pain (1984), is regarded as a seminal New York hardcore release. Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic dubbed it "the ultimate document of the New York hardcore scene."<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Dave Jones replaced Raybeez on drums after a mutual agreement among the band members that Raybeez "needed time" to address a developing drug problem.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Dave Jones was "a kid from New Jersey" who had previously played with the band Mental Abuse.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn Rob Kabula took over on bass. In 1984, Jimmy "The Kid" Colletti from Justified Violence joined on drums when the band went to tour with the Exploited later that year. The album pushed the band to the forefront of New York's fledgling hardcore scene, which was centered around CBGB, where they played with bands like the Cro-Mags and Murphy's Law.

Prior to recording their next album Miret left AF for a few months at the beginning of 1986, during which time Carl "The Mosher" Demola stepped in.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref> 1986's Cause for Alarm was a difficult album to record, due to constant lineup changes and personnel problems.<ref name="Larkin80">Template:Cite book</ref> Released on Combat Records, it added thrash metal influences. With other bands such as Suicidal Tendencies and Stormtroopers of Death, this album would mark Agnostic Front's foray into the world of crossover thrash. It also featured some lyrics written by Peter Steele and drumming by Louie Beato (both of Carnivore). Miret left the band for four months between the recording and release of Cause for Alarm, and was replaced by Carl Demola.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The band then embarked on a tour in support of the album and took part in the Eliminator tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma formed a new incarnation of AF over the summer of 1987, enlisting lead guitarist Steve Martin, bassist Alan Peters and drummer Will Shepler.<ref name=":2" /> With this new lineup, the band soon released Liberty and Justice For... in 1987.<ref name="Larkin80" /> The album featured stripped down punk with a lack of thrash influences, yet it contained many metal-style guitar solos. It did not sell nearly as well as previous releases. The band then went on a North American tour which spanned into 1988.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band's first live album Live at CBGB, was also released that year with was recorded on tour the previous summer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 1989, Miret was sentenced to four years in prison for drug trafficking a couple of years earlier.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While in prison, Miret began writing new songs while Stigma and the band toured Europe for the first time. Miret was released early in September 1990 after the charges were overturned.<ref name=":2" /> At the beginning of a European tour in October 1990, Miret was refused entry to Belgium as he didn't have a valid visa; the band continued the tour, with roadie Mike Shost stepping in as temporary vocalist.<ref name=":2" /> The lyrics, written by Miret while incarcerated, formed most of 1992's One Voice,<ref name="Larkin80" /> which featured members of Madball and Sick of It All. Miret later stated in a 2011 interview "Those songs told the story of my life. That was pretty damn cool for that reason."<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> During the subsequent touring cycle, Miret was temporarily replaced by his younger brother (and Madball bandmate) Freddy Cricien for a string of shows in July, while he underwent surgery to treat an inguinal hernia.<ref name=":2" />

Agnostic Front toured with Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation and Obituary on the Complete Control Tour in 1992.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The band's last show was at CBGB on December 20, 1992. The show was recorded for the live album Last Warning which was released by Roadrunner Records in 1993.<ref name="Larkin80" />

Merit claimed the band never officially broke up stating: Template:Blockquote

Start of the second era (1996–2006)

Stigma and Miret reformed Agnostic Front in May 1996 and did a few reunion shows in December 1996, signing to Epitaph Records and recruiting Jimmy Colletti on drums and Rob Kabula on bass,<ref name="Larkin80" /> who was playing with Against the Grain at the time. Their latest venture was titled Something's Gotta Give.<ref name="Larkin80" /> In 1999, they followed up with Riot, Riot, Upstart.<ref name="Larkin80" /> Their comeback albums have sold well and been mostly acclaimed by music criticsTemplate:Who for their pure hardcore punk sound. That same year they also released a split with Dropkick Murphys EP titled Unity.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In 1999 the group played a few shows at that years Warped tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After touring until the summer of 2000, AF briefly took a break to start writing material for a new album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Then In 2001, they released the album Dead Yuppies.<ref name="Larkin80" /> Songs from this album were rarely played live, as the band considered it more a product of Loved and Hated, Jimmy Colletti's side-project band. The track "Love to be Hated" appears on a volume of Epitaph Records' Punk-O-Rama compilation series, but the band left the label shortly after release and recorded a split live album with Discipline, Working Class Heroes, in 2003,<ref>Template:Citation</ref> before signing to Nuclear Blast Records in 2004.

In 2002, Miret worked on a side-project band, Roger Miret and the Disasters, looking for a sound akin to old-school punk and Oi!. Also that year, the band appeared in Matthew Barney's film Cremaster 3 along with Murphy's Law. The band continued touring and in late 2003 they joined Unseen and Hatebreed on US tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2004, Agnostic Front released their fourth studio album Another Voice. The album was regarded mainly as a follow-up to One Voice. The album, however, did receive some criticism from fans and the press for apparently changing their music to fit the current wave of 'tough guy' bands. Musically, the album bears resemblance to bands that were heavily influenced by Agnostic Front, such as Hatebreed. Miret's vocals on the album particularly seemed to turn off many less hardcore punk-oriented fans. Later, the track "Peace" was contributed to the mash-up album Threat: Music That Inspired the Movie, where it was remixed by Schizoid and renamed "World at War".

In 2005, Agnostic Front took part in the Unity tour alongside bands such as Terror and Diecast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2006 they released a live album titled Live at CBGB – 25 Years of Blood, Honor and Truth, which was limited to 500 copies.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

Warriors and My Way My Life (2007–2011)

File:Agnostic Front live in Rome.jpg

The band performing in Rome in 2007

On March 7, 2006, Agnostic Front released the DVD Live at CBGB. This follows the efforts of many bands that tried to save CBGB from shutting down. Miret claims that "We played more shows at CBGB than any band ever, and we played more benefit shows for CBGB than any band ever" when the club did close, most nostalgia focused on 1970s punk bands.

On November 6, 2007, Agnostic Front released the album Warriors with the hit "For My Family" which was largely a continuation of the band's crossover thrash sound.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The band performed on the Persistence Tour in Europe in the winter of 2009. In March 2009, Steve Gallo was replaced by former Leeway drummer Jimmy "Pokey" Mo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For the 25th anniversary of their debut LP Victim in Pain, Bridge Nine Records released remastered versions of said album along with their first EP, United Blood, on November 17, 2009. On February 26, 2010, Agnostic Front reunited their original lineup consisting of Roger Miret, Vinny Stigma, Rob Kabula, and Dave Jones who had not performed together since 1984. For a special show at the Bell House in Brooklyn, New York, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Victim in Pain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2011, Agnostic Front released their ninth studio album, My Life My Way.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Metalunderground dubbed the album "one of the bands' best releases to date." Adding My Life My Way "is by far Agnostic Front's greatest achievement. Everything from the catchy riffs, infectious vocals, guitar solos, and gang chants work perfectly in unison and create an incredible New York Hardcore record. Its official, hardcore is back."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The American Dream Died and Get Loud (2012–2020)

File:Agnostic Front @ SO36 (6775705966).jpg

Agnostic Front performing at the SO36 in 2012

In 2012, the group played at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, England, they played the festival again in 2014 and 2016. In 2012, the band held three commemorative 30th anniversary shows where they performed the 1989 live recording Live at CBGB in its entirety to paying homage to the New York hardcore subculture.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2013, they once again took part in the Persistence tour alongside co headlining alongside Hatebreed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May 2014, Joseph James was replaced by Craig Silverman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2015, the band released the album The American Dream Died via Nuclear Blast Records which consisted mostly of the bands older style of music with a modern touch. Blabbermouth.net scored the album 8.5 out of 10, stating, "Miret and company have engineered another blistering, attention-seizing album with nearly as much venom as Black Flag's 'My War.'"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band continued to tour extensively in Europe as well as the U.S. in support of the record.

In 2017, Stigma and Miret appeared in a documentary about Agnostic Front, The Godfathers of Hardcore, directed by Ian McFarland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year the group also toured extensively in celebration of the group's 35th anniversary.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In early 2018 Agnostic Front teamed up with Dropkick Murphys for a North America co headling tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2019, Agnostic Front released their tenth studio album, Get Loud.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Blabbermouth.net gave the record a 8/10, stating "Get Loud! is as potent and memorable an example of the genre as you will ever hear. As they approach their 40th birthday, AGNOSTIC FRONT are still very much not to be fucked with."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year, they also announced a massive North American tour in celebration of the 35th anniversary of their debut LP Victim in Pain with support came from fellow NYC band Prong.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The group also took part in a co-headlining tour with Sick of It All.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2020, they took part in the Final Persistence Tour alongside Gorilla Biscuits and others.

Echoes in Eternity (2021–present)

In September 2021, Miret revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer earlier that year. However, after a lengthy hospital stay and surgery, the cancer is now in remission. A GoFundMe page was launched to help Miret pay for his medical bills, after a successful operation the cancer was completely removed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Miret's cancer diagnosis, AF returned to touring in May 2022 with new drummer Danny Lamagna, who had taken over from Mo following his departure in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year, the band once again toured with Sick of It All in the New York United Tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band continued extensive touring and In December 2024, they announced the New York Blood 2025 Tour alongside the bands Murphy's Law and Violent Way.

In January 2025, the band announced The Last Warning Tour with Bad Religion, with shows planned in Europe, the UK, Spain and Portugal beginning in May 2025. In April 2025, it was announced that the band would be playing at Riot Fest in Chicago in September 2025.

In September 2025, the band announced their new album Echoes in Eternity. The album was released on November 7, 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Echoes in Eternity has received many positive reviews since its release. Don Lawson of Blabbermouth.net gave the album a 8/10 stating "Echoes in Eternity is as definitive a hardcore experience as anyone is likely to get in 2025. Sometimes, it takes the masters to raise the alarm, and here it is, ringing with deafening assurance."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Musical style

File:Agnostic Front – Reload Festival 2016 03.jpg

Agnostic Front at Reload Festival 2016

Agnostic Front is a hardcore band. Lead singer Roger Miret has claimed the band has always stayed true to its hardcore roots: "All those bands that everybody raves about—they gave up on you. They quit; they grew up out of [hardcore]. We never gave up on nobody."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a 2015 interview, Miret commented on the band's style and recording process, stating, "The music comes first… and then I come in and see what the music is telling me."<ref name="invisibleoranges_interview">Template:Cite web</ref> As for the evolution of their sound, he added, "It evolves organically, there's never a conscious thing, like 'we're gonna write this type of a song now.' … We just write songs... We revisit older sounds as part of what keeps it still clearly an Agnostic Front record."<ref name="invisibleoranges_interview" />

Legacy

Agnostic Front are viewed as founding members of the New York hardcore scene, and are considered to be "the godfathers of hardcore" and one of the bands that created the New York scene. They, alongside Sick of It All, Cro-Mags, Madball and Warzone, have been credited as pioneers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They set the tone for aggressive, working-class urban punk with attitude, introducing crossover thrash elements.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

They are commonly referred to as New York's first homegrown hardcore band. Their first album Victim in Pain was named in 2021 by Revolver magazine as one of ten essential New York hardcore albums.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their second album Cause For Alarm was inducted into the Decibel magazine Hall of Fame in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Agnostic Front has had a major influence on the New York Hardcore scene and beyond with bands such as Sick of It All,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Madball,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Pantera,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Terror,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Killswitch Engage,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hatebreed<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Biohazard,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> all citing Agnostic Front as an influence.

Band members

Template:Main Current members

• Vinnie Stigma – guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
• Roger Miret – lead vocals Template:Small
• Mike Gallo – bass, backing vocals Template:Small
• Craig Silverman – guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
• Danny Lamagna – drums Template:Small

Former members Template:Columns-list

Discography

Studio albums

• Victim in Pain (1984) Rat Cage Records
• Cause for Alarm (1986) Relativity/Combat Records
• Liberty and Justice For... (1987) Relativity/Combat Records
• One Voice (1992) Relativity/Roadrunner Records
• Something's Gotta Give (1998) Epitaph Records
• Riot, Riot, Upstart (1999) Epitaph Records
• Dead Yuppies (2001) Epitaph Records
• Another Voice (2004) Nuclear Blast Records
• Warriors (2007) Nuclear Blast Records
• My Life My Way (2011) Nuclear Blast Records
• The American Dream Died (2015) Nuclear Blast Records
• Get Loud! (2019) Nuclear Blast Records
• Echoes in Eternity (2025) Reigning Phoenix Music

Live albums

• Live at CBGB (1989) Relativity Records
• Last Warning (1993) Relativity/Roadrunner Records
• Working Class Heroes (2002) I Scream Records split with Discipline
• Live at CBGB – 25 Years of Blood, Honor and Truth (2006) Nuclear Blast Records

Compilations

• To Be Continued: The Best of Agnostic Front (1992) Relativity
• Raw Unleashed (1995) Grand Theft Audio
• Respect Your Roots Worldwide (2012) Strength Records

EPs

• United Blood (1983) Last Warning Records
• Puro des Madre (en español) EP (1998) Hellcat Records
• Unity (1999) split with Dropkick Murphys
• For My Family EP (2007) Nuclear Blast Records
• That's Life 7" (2011) Bridge 9 Records

Music videos

• "Growing Concern" (1986)
• "Anthem" [Live] (1989)
• "Gotta Go" (1998)
• "Riot, Riot, Upstart" (1999)
• "So Pure to Me" (2004)
• "Peace" (2005)
• "All Is Not Forgotten" (2005)
• "All Is Not Forgotten" [Live] (2006)
• "Addiction" (2007)
• "For My Family" (2007)
• "Dead to Me" [Live] (2007)
• "That's Life" (2011)
• "A Mi Manera" (2011)
• "My Life My Way" (2011)
• "Us Against the World" (2012)
• "Blitzkrieg Bop" (2013)
• "Police Violence" (2015)
• "The American Dream Died" (2015)
• "A Wise Man" (2015)
• "Never Walk Alone" (2015)
• "Old New York" (2015)
• "Spray Painted Walls" (2019)
• "I Remember" (2019)
• "Conquer and Divide" (2019)
• "Urban Decay" (2020)
• "Way of War" (2025)
• "Matter of Life & Death" (2025)

DVD/VHS

• Live at CBGB 2006
• CBGB: Punk from the Bowery (Compilation)
• LIVE in N.Y.C. '91 (split with Sick of It All & Gorilla Biscuits)

Further reading

• Maximum Rocknroll No. 328 (Sept/Oct 2010), interview by Bruce Roehrs

External links

• Template:Official
• Template:AllMusic
• Template:Discogs artist
• Agnostic Front's Victim in Pain at 25 Roger Miret interview by Village Voice December 1, 2009
• 1984 Interview, Guillotine Fanzine / Ragged Edge Collection @ Archive.org]