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The Agony - 10th anniversary album 'Rising'!

We are The Agony, an all-female heavy rock foursome, and we invite you to be a part of the journey towards our new album! It will be special: we'll celebrate the band's 10th anniversary with the new line-up's first release... so join us for the thrill!

Author: The Agony

  • Live in Brighton, UK, 08/2022 | Photo: W. Pilling

  • The Agony in Brighton, UK!

  • 1st photo session of the new line-up, 02/2022

  • 1st photo session of the new line-up, 02/2022

  • Supporting Scorpions at Prague's O2 arena, 05/2022

  • The Agony & Scorpions, backstage at O2 arena.

  • The Agony live at O2 arena, Prague. 26th May 2022.

  • The Agony, May 2022. | Photo: Audrey Liska

EUR 6,561
pledged of EUR 4,769

137%

137% completed

96 contributors pledged

Community, Music

Prague, Czechia

All or nothing. Project finished on Jan 6, 2023 at 07:50.

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Petra, Niky, Kajda, Domi // genre: heavy rock // links

“Their story is reminiscent of the American Dream." (M. Šotolová, RockSound)

“During their set I constantly felt like I was witnessing something extraordinary." (J. Mimra, Musicweb)

We are the all-female heavy rock band The Agony and we'd love to celebrate our 10th anniversary with a birthday album next April!

We've had a rather long and eventful history (which you can read below in the 10 Years of The Agony section), and last year we went through a big change when two of the four members left the band after eight years. Although we were on the verge of disbanding, we managed to restart The Agony in January 2022 and crowned our return with a support slot for the legendary Scorpions at the largest Czech indoor venue, O2 arena. This was followed by a UK tour in August.

We want to prove our current shape with the new line-up's first album. Financial target of this pledge campaign would cover recording, mixing and mastering, graphics, promo photos and the production of accompanying merchandise.

For us, crowdfunding is the best form of supporting the band as it's the most direct and honest way that you fans and friends can take with us. No middle man, just you and us, together. Over the years, we have completed several campaigns, all of them ended in success and helped us release two albums (our 2015 debut Dirty and Dangerous and 2017 sophomore 689) and one EP (Eclectic in 2020).

And we're confident that, thanks to you, our discography will get its third full-length album addition! :)

What Are We Planning and Why?

It's been two years since our last effort, the Eclectic EP, and the band has moved on a lot. It is this progress that we want to notch on a regular album together with producer Martin Hollandr - the same wonderful talented young man we collaborated with on our three pilot singles recorded this year ('She Said', 'Nothing in the World' and 'Just What I Needed').
These tracks became the foundation for the new album, for which we have written a total of about 9-10 songs in the style of modern hard/heavy rock.

We have asked ourselves several times whether albums still make sense in this age of singles and streaming. However, the positive feedback on this year's singles gave us a proper kick in the butt and we decided that, together with the approaching celebration of our first decade, it was worth a full-length album.
We would also like to step into the next decade with a brand new visual identity: new logo, graphics, merchandise.
All of this should go hand in hand with the concept and sound vibe of the album.

What If We Exceed the Goal?

If we significantly exceed the financial target, it's our huge dream to immortalize our music on vinyl. It would be our first and we would be absolutely happy!

(Almost) 10 Years of the Agony 

As you read these lines, know that it has just been 10 years since guitarist and frontwoman Nikola Kandoussi figuratively slammed the table in November 2012 and decided to form her own all-female band. The Agony's first lineup settled on April 27, 2013.

In September 2020, our biography was quite impressive. Since we had started out, we released two albums and two EPs, played countless club gigs and performances at major Czech festivals (including the main stage of Masters of Rock CZ), the tour also took us to Europe. We have also proven ourselves as support band for both domestic and international artists (from those international acts, we can name Girlschool, Loudness, Mike Terrana and Blaze Bayley as a few..)

We had always wanted to achieve success honestly and not take shortcuts, we had put maximum energy into every show and new songs, and fans and reviewers unanimously prophesied bright tomorrows for us, but...

The recording and release of the Eclectic EP was delayed that year due to covid and there were months when we, along with the rest of the culture industry, came to a halt. This period of time, and other aspects, eventually caused our bassist Katie and lead guitarist Terka to leave The Agony a year later, leaving us on the brink of an end.

However, the remaining tandem of Niky and drummer Kajda decided to give it another try, agreeing that only if they couldn't find new members, they would end things gracefully. And we were lucky, because two new wonderful women found us and the band was strengthened by bassist Domi Mrázková and guitarist Petra Pohanková.

Driven by new energy and newfound self-confidence, we got down to work again and were in the middle of rehearsing for the premiere of a new line-up when radio Beat (the best known rock-oriented FM in the country) announced a competition, winner of which would get the chance to open for the Scorpions. 108 bands signed up, us among them. The votes of our fans sent us to the final five, from which the management and the Scorpions themselves would already choose the winner.
And they pointed the finger at us. So on May 26, 2022, this happened:

                                

and this as well:

Immediately after this show of a lifetime, we went into the studio to record the aforementioned pilot singles and in August we toured England.

Now we are focusing on fine-tuning the material for the new album and we hope to successfully enter the second decade next year thanks to you!

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Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 16
    'Rising' MP3

    We start with a classic reward, the amount of which is arbitrary, but it starts at around 7 EUR. If you decide to grab this one, we will send you a link to the songs in MP3 format by e-mail, because streaming is not everything, right? :) We will also publish your names on our social media with great pleasure and many Thanks!

    If you for any reason prefer for your name not to be included in the Thanks section, please let us know in the notes. 

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 5.96
    (CZK 150)

  • sold 34
    'Rising' CD - Special Edition

    Exclusive edition of the CD in a limited series, only for exclusive and unlimited pledgers on Hithit! Each piece is hand signed and dedicated to you as a Thank you for supporting us.

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.87
    (CZK 500)

  • sold 17
    'Rising' vol. 1 (T-Shirt + CD)

    T-shirt (again in an exclusive version for backers) and a CD to go with it. A starter pack for true fans! In addition to this, of course, a postcard, so that you can place us anywhere you want. Thanks goes without saying!

    Let us know your preferences regarding the size and version of the t-shirt (women's / men's) in the notes. :)
    Delivery of the reward is included in the price, we will send it to your address.

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.74
    (CZK 1,000)

  • sold 3
    'Rising' vol. 2 (T-Shirt + CD + Small Items)

    T-shirt + CD and a few items to go with it. An improved version of the previous reward, where we add a bracelet, a  sticker, a bottle opener and a  button. Of course, a postcard and a Thank you is included!

    Let us know your preferences regarding the size and version of the t-shirt (women's / men's) in the notes. :)
    Delivery of the reward is included in the price, we will send it to your address.

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.61
    (CZK 1,500)

  • sold 6
    'Rising' vol. 3 (T-Shirt + CD + Small Items + Complete Discography)

    The Ultimate Agony, all complete! Do you own all previous items from our discography? No? This is exactly the reward for you then! We offer a t-shirt, new CD and small items, plus Dirty And Dangerous, 689 and Eclectic CDs. A very welcoming combination for any passionate fan of our foursome.
    Oh, and a postcard and a Thank you, of course!

    Let us know your preferences regarding the size and version of the t-shirt (women's / men's) in the notes. :)
    Delivery of the reward is included in the price, we will send it to your address.

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 79.48
    (CZK 2,000)

  • remaining 18 from 20
    The Agony 2023 Calendar

    Imagine that: The Agony pinned to the wall. You can even tear us apart! Yes, this reward is basically everything from Rising vol. 2 plus a brand new wall calendar in The Agony style. You will find our birthdays in it, a different nice photo for each month, and so on.

    Let us know your preferences regarding the size and version of the t-shirt (women's / men's) in the notes. :)
    Delivery of the reward is included in the price, we will send it to your address. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 99.34
    (CZK 2,500)

  • remaining 3 from 5
    ADDED AGAIN: UK Tour Gigs Free Pass & Hang

    We're quite close to finalising our UK Tour itinerary for August 2023. 5 days, 5 cities, 5 very special nights!  For any fans in the UK (OR those of you passionate enough to come over!)  grab this reward and come hang with us for one or more dates - oh and there's merch bundle from Rising vol. 2 included. 

    We'll share the final tour dates with you asap, at the moment the plan is last week of August in Newcastle, Shrewsbury, Rotherham, Leicester and Stoke-on-Trent. It might still change, though, so we'll keep you posted for sure!

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 119.21
    (CZK 3,000)

  • remaining 5 from 10
    '10 Years of The Agony' Signed Photo Book

    In almost 10 years of our existence, we have collected a lot of photos and experiences, which we want to immortalize into something tangible - in case one day Facebook deletes all content on its servers. We thought of a photo book, so if you want to have our first decade in your library, definitely order this reward! You also get everything from the Rising vol. 2 reward to go with it.

    Let us know your preferences regarding the size and version of the t-shirt (women's / men's) in the notes. :)
    Delivery of the reward is included in the price, we will send it to your address. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 139.08
    (CZK 3,500)

  • remaining 2 from 5
    Personal Agony - A Song Just For You!

    Birthday coming up? Or another occasion? Need something truly special and personal? Say no more, we've got you covered!  We'll write you a song and send you a Rising vol. 2 merch to go along (see, there was a rhyme right there!). 

    A hint regarding your preferred topic would be good, a few disclaimers though: please don't expect another Bohemian Rhapsody, we're not that good; also, we're only writing about things we agree with, so nothing nasty, ok?
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 158.95
    (CZK 4,000)

  • remaining 3 from 4
    The Agony ACOUSTIC Live Stream

    Here's the deal: for the Czech folk we offer an acoustic gig, us playing in the flesh in their living room or garden or wherever: which obviously isn't possible for you lot abroad, unless you invite us over, of course! But w hat we can do for you is an approx. hour-long acoustic live stream and a chat too. We've already done something similar during the dark times and it was pretty good, so if you go for this reward, we'll agree the date and stream for you, then send you the Rising vol. 2 merch to your address. We promise it'll be a virtual experience you will  never forget!

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 476.85
    (CZK 12,000)

  • remaining 2 from 4
    The Agony's GOLDEN BACKER

    This ultimate reward is... well, ultimate!
    All the merch from previous rewards     that we can give you, your name in the album credits (unless you wish to stay anonymous), a song written for you, free pass to any UK or CZ gig of your choice and our eternal gratitude for helping us get to the new album.

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 794.75
    (CZK 20,000)

  • Sold out!!
    UK Tour Gigs Free Pass & Hang

    We're quite close to finalising our UK Tour itinerary for August 2023. 5 days, 5 cities, 5 very special nights! For any fans in the UK (OR those of you passionate enough to come over!) grab this reward and come hang with us for one or more dates - oh and there's merch bundle from Rising vol. 2 included. 

    We'll share the final tour dates with you asap, at the moment the plan is last week of August in Newcastle, Shrewsbury, Rotherham, Leicester and Stoke-on-Trent. It might still change, though, so we'll keep you posted for sure!

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 119.21
    (CZK 3,000)

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