Antagonist A.D.

Formed in Hamilton in 2005 by vocalist Sam Crocker and bassist Joshua Moffitt, the original line up (known then as simply 'The Antagonist') also comprised drummer Brendon Wishnowsky and guitarist Sean O'Kane Connolly. The band quickly recorded a well received 4 song demo (some releases of the demo contained an extra song, 'Some Glory', recorded after the main pressing) with Ulcerate’s Jamie Saint Merat.
The end of 2005 saw the band lose Sean, and gain guitarists Kris ‘Boozey’ Bosman and Ross Mcdougall.
Brendon departed at the start of 2006, and was replaced by current drummer Israel McDean 2 weeks before the band would record their debut album.
The line-up at this point boasted a remarkable and promising pedigree composed of former members of notable New Zealand hardcore/metalcore bands The Warpath, Kill Me Quickly, Evil Priest and Promise of Bloodshed.
The bands debut full length These Cities, Our Graves was recorded in early 2006 and released not too far after that on 1157 records (previously a home to NZ hardcore greats such as DSM, Balance and The Bleeders).
The album was later re-released in Australia in 2008, by Melbourne label Trial & Error Records.
These Cities, Our Graves, lyrically, heavily (and often spitefully) covered important issues concerning vocalist Sam Crocker and ranging from animal rights to consumerism.
After a handful of national tours and support slots, the band ventured to Australia for the first time in 2006, playing in Victoria and South Australia with well-known local bands Stronghold, Her Nightmare and, then, relatively 'new' band, The Red Shore as well as various Queensland dates supporting US hardcore band Most Precious Blood. Since that first initial trip the band have crossed the Tasman countless times, gaining a solid live show and touring reputation throughout Australia, notably, tours with Parkway Drive, Have Heart (USA) and Break Even in mid 2008, as well as a mid 2009 Australian tour with Earth Crisis and Day of Comtempt who reunited for the tour. Prior to this tour the band had just returned home after a tour of South East Asia (Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia), ending with a headline tour of Japan.
October 2008, saw the band release their second full length We Are The Dead throughout Australia (Trial & Error records) & New Zealand (1157 Records). Again vocalist Sam Crocker, spitefully expanded on previous subject matter as well as new.
2008 also saw the band add the suffix 'A.D.' to avoid confusion with an American band using the name Antagonist already.
From its inception, the band have shared the stage with countless high profile overseas acts (Madball, Converge, Parkway Drive, The Ghost Inside, Darkest Hour, Unearth, Bleeding Through, Comeback Kid to name but a few) and had the privilege of sharing the Main Stage at Aucklands Big Day Out ‘08 with Rage Against The Machine.
August, 2010 saw Antagonist A.D. make their first trip to Europe with friends 50 Lions (Australia) & Gravemaker (Canada).
September 2010 they toured the New Zealand leg with Parkway Drive for their Deep Blue Tour alongside the American metal band, The Devil Wears Prada and The Ghost Inside.
Sam 'Sam Sam' Crocker- vocals
Ewen - guitar
Kris 'Boozey' Bosman - guitar
Israel McDean- drums
Josh Moffitt- bass