Although they were first formed in 1998 by siblings Carlos (vocals/guitar) and Lond Garcia (drums), Wittier, CA's Antagonist languished in unsigned obscurity for close to a decade before their hard work finally began to pay dividends within the local metal and hardcore scene. By then, the Garcias, second guitarist Matt Lopez (who joined in 2001), and bassist/backing vocalist Paul Salem (with them since 2003), had independently recorded and released a trio of EPs (2003's Intended to Hurt or Wound, 2004's Eschatology, 2005's Samsara), and a pair of albums (2005's Architects of Discord ad 2006's An Envy of Innocence). The last of these caught the ears of Prosthetic Records with its popular brand of melodic deathcore (think: Killswitch Engage, Caliban, etc.), resulting in a contract that spawned Antagonist's third full-length, Exist, in fall 2008. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia