AGONIZE "Highest Form" 12" EP
Record Label - Closed Casket
Formed in Savannah, Georgia from the remains of metallic hardcore band Vatican, AGONIZE represents a return to rawness that hardcore demands. Their latest EP, Highest Form releasing through Closed Casket Activities, eschews the over-production dominating modern metal in favor of capturing the visceral energy of a band wanting to tear a room apart performing right in front of your eyes.
Produced by Jeremy Martin (Vein.fm), AGONIZE tracked their latest offering with an emphasis on preserving the human9 element, deliberately avoiding click tracks and excessive editing to maintain the natural grit that defines their sound. Highest Form showcases the band's ability to craft memorable metal-influenced hardcore while maintaining a deliberately ugly, unrefined aesthetic that harkens back to the genre's roots.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Meshuggah, Pantera, and Terror, AGONIZE crafts songs that balance technical prowess with deliberate restraint, avoiding the trap of overcomplicated riffs that lose sight of their core impact. Songs like opener “STRANGE REFLECTION” incorporates big metal riffing with rhythm that undeniably belongs to hardcore. Closing track “IN THE VACANT LOT” hints at future creative directions, incorporating atmospheric elements that expand their sonic palette without compromising their fundamental heaviness.
Beyond the music, AGONIZE extends their creative vision through DIY-filmed music videos shot on vintage equipment, producing horror-influenced visuals that feel like something the viewer shouldn’t be watching. Each member brings creative influences from outside the music world into Agonize's visual aesthetic, incorporating elements from horror films, video games, and graphic art, while vocalist Spencer Guerrero's work as a tattoo artist directly shapes the band's distinctive imagery and album artwork. This holistic approach to their art reflects the band's commitment to crafting an authentic representation of their hometown Savannah, showcasing the Southern Darkness that lives beneath its picturesque surface.
AGONIZE’s vision is squarely set on making hardcore musically and visually as dangerous as possible. With a heavy slate of shows already announced, AGONIZE’s 2025 is just beginning.
Comes with a Screenprinted B-Side.
Tracklist:
01. Strange Reflection
02. All The Way Through
03. Once It Gets You
04. Piss Ant
05. In The Vacant Lot
Pressing Information:
150 - Blue in Black Ice w/ Bone Splatter
350 - Red w/ Black Smoke & Silver Splatter
What does Pre-Order mean & how does it work?
Pre-order means that you are ordering an item that is not yet manufactured or in stock. Pre-Order items will not ship before their release date. If your order contains one or more pre-order items, the entire order will be shipped in one package once the pre-order item is released.
Product Information & Safety
Disclaimer
Vinyl Orders- Please note that we do our best to protect vinyl records ideally for shipping, using our custom made mailers and additional cardboard squares. However, we can not guarantee that no damage on the way occurs. Ordering is at one's own risk. Vinyl might be delivered unsealed as we have to open copies to check vinyl colours, if not sufficiently labeled by the distributor / label.
Product Images- Please note that most of the images in our store are not actual photos but mock ups. These mock ups are digital representations of what we expect the final product to look like - however they do not represent the final product. Final vinyl pressings, prints, etc. may look slightly different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pick up my order?
Yes, you can pick up your order from our warehouse in Berlin Lichtenberg. Please choose “Pick Up” as delivery method at checkout and pay for your order as if it was a regular order. You will be notified via e-mail once your order is ready for collection. Pick Up times are Monday - Friday between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Only orders fully paid in advance can be picked up. You can not shop directly from our warehouse → online purchases only.
If not collected within 7 days after being notified that your order is ready for collection, your order will be cancelled.
After receiving your ready for pick up notification via e-mail, you can find us at the following address:
Josef-Orlopp-Str. 92
10365 Berlin-Lichtenberg
Walk onto the backyard and look out for a green door with a black sign saying "EVIL GREED / EG Distribution GmbH" and our logo, next to a loading ramp. We're located on the second floor - please ring the bell.
How do I return items on my order?
As long as the items are unworn and unwashed they can be returned to the below address:
EG Distribution GmbH
Evil Greed - Returns
Josef-Orlopp-Str. 92
10365 Berlin
Germany
Please note that we do not cover shipping back to us. If you want to make sure your package arrives okay you might want to consider sending it trackable / insured. Please also include either a copy of your invoice or a brief note with your order number so we can assign the package to the right order / customer.
Please clearly mark your shipment as "RETURN" so no custom / import charges are due when returning from an non-EU country.
Once the items are with us and have been checked by our team, we will refund the amount due to your preferred payment method!
Do you have a size chart for your items?
Yes, you can find it here.
Can I combine orders / add items to an already existing order?
We are not able to make any changes to already existing orders. If your order hasn't been processed yet, we can however cancel it so that you can place a new order containing all the items you wish to purchase.
When will my order arrive / how long does shipping take?
If your order does not contain any pre-order items (see below) it will be shipped within 1-2 days after purchasing. Once shipped, depending on where you are shipping can take up to 1-3 days (Germany), 7 days (Europe & UK) and 30 days (worldwide). If you want your order to arrive as soon as possible, please select FedEx at checkout.
How much does shipping cost?
You can find our shipping cost here.