Life of Agony Albums (7)
What The Critics Say
The 2003 reunion of Keith Caputo, Joey Z., Alan Robert, and Sal Abruscato -- together, the classic Life of Agony lineup -- was captured on the rousing, often explosive River Runs Again, and fans ate it up because everyone still remembered how powerful River Runs Red was. But the reunion also spawned Broken Valley, and this album might be the real gift. It nods to the band's visceral hybrid of metal and New York hardcore, but manages to be modern, more melodic, and more adventurous at the same time. "Love to Let You Down" and "Last Cigarette" are great openers, gravelly rockers infused with a wide-open hooky zing. "Strung Out" trudges along slowly, deliberately, lending real gravity to the anguish in Caputo's delivery, and Z.'s guitar on "Calm That Disturbs You" howls with a sound as huge as New York City. Broken Valley is by far Life of Agony's most accessible album. But it doesn't sacrifice sludge, lyrical violence, or bottom-end power to be that popular record. That kind of sacrifice is what neutered 1997's Soul Searching Sun -- LOA wanted so badly to be heard that they cut out what made people listen in the first place. On Valley there's a durable melody in every song, and Caputo has never sounded better. He's also aided throughout by layered harmonies. But there's an unfakeable bareness to the lyrics that proves there's no pose here, no place for opportunism. (The rabid "Junk Sick" is exhibit A.) Broken Valley isn't a cash-in, it's a catharsis. Alongside its heavier moments are some dramatic detours. The terrific title track is a barren mood piece suggestive of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter," while the brief "No One Survives" lingers on solitary piano chords. Life of Agony haven't just returned with Broken Valley. They've made a nuanced, well-balanced record that means something in relation to contemporary metal, a genre with issues to say the least. Life of Agony is how metal gets done. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
'River Runs Again: Complete'
Release Date 10/14/2003
Tracks 39
Label Steamhammer/SPV
See Album Tracklist and Review
'River Runs Again: Live 2003'
Release Date 10/14/2003
Tracks 21
Label Steamhammer/SPV
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
During their ten-year run, that is, 1989-1999, Life of Agony were neither complacent nor predictable. Stylistically, the New York-based alternative metal/alternative rock band reinvented themselves more than once, and there were some lineup changes along the way. The changes that they went through were both good and bad: good because they never got stuck in a creative rut and had a desire to forge ahead, bad because some of their albums were uneven and inconsistent. But creatively, LOA had more ups than downs, and their Big Apple fans were delighted when the band's classic lineup -- lead singer Keith Caputo, guitarist Joey Z, bassist Alan Robert, and drummer Sal Abruscato -- performed two reunion concerts at New York's Irving Plaza on January 3 and 4, 2003. Those shows are the focus of this two-CD set, which paints an honest picture of the band because it falls short of perfect, but is engaging more often that not. Performing songs from 1993's River Runs Red, as well as 1995's Ugly, and 1997's Soul Searching Sun, the New Yorkers sound like they're sincerely glad to be reunited. Caputo, Joey Z, Robert, and Abruscato never come across as bored, and they never sound like they're merely going through the motions. Caputo is obviously quite sincere when he advises headbangers in the mosh pit to watch out for one another, if someone falls, be sure to pick him up immediately (which, of course, is considered proper mosh pit etiquette at metal and punk shows). River Runs Red is still widely regarded as LOA's most essential release, but for devoted fans, this double-CD is an exciting, if imperfect, document of their January 2003 reunion gigs in the Big Apple. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Unplugged at the Lowlands Festival 1997'
Release Date 8/22/2000
Tracks 15
Label RoadRunner
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Soul Searching Sun'
Release Date 9/9/1997
Tracks 16
Label Roadrunner
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
In the early '90s, Life of Agony was a straight-ahead hardcore metal band. They built up a loyal following by incessant touring and word of mouth, with little MTV or radio airplay. On their second album, 1995's Ugly, the band chose a different musical path -- they tried melding their hardcore with the melodic alterna-metal of Stone Temple Pilots and Alice In Chains. The album wasn't given a warm reception from longtime fans or the record-buying public. The group was now faced with a new dilemma; should they stay true to their newly decided musical direction, or conform to their fans' expectations of what Life of Agony's music should sound like? The group chose to stick to their guns and do what their hearts told them to on Soul Searching Sun. It's a mixed affair with some tracks succeeding (such as the opener "Hope"), while others fall flat (the clean guitar-driven ballad "My Mind is Dangerous" and the drug addict-cliché "Heroin Dreams"). New drummer Dan Richardson (ex-Pro-Pain) fits the band perfectly, able to handle their musical schizophrenia with no problem. Soul Searching Sun will certainly not be the album that wins back the group's old hardcore fans, but that wasn't Life of Agony's musical goal in the first place. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
For listeners unaccustomed to blistering, noisy metal, Life of Agony will be agonizing. However, fans of the genre will find the band to be among the best of the mid-'90s, capable of spitting out razor-sharp riffs. What makes Ugly work is the band's grasp of sonic texture -- they can make even their quiet moments menacing. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With their unique combination of New York hardcore, metal, and a touch of spooky grunge vaguely reminiscent of Alice in Chains, Life of Agony got their career off to a fine critical and commercial beginning with their debut release, River Runs Red. Brooklynite veterans of their city's legendary hardcore scene, vocalist Keith Caputo, guitarist Joey Z., and bassist Alan Robert were joined by former Type O Negative drummer Sal Abruscato in 1993. The group released this disc on Roadrunner records shortly thereafter. Dark is probably the first word that comes to mind when listening to River Runs Red. Z.'s grinding guitars dominate the mix with a metallic croaking that's distinctive and sonically ahead of its time. The grungier tracks featured at the beginning of the record ("This Time," "Underground") stand out, along with some more reckless hardcore material like "Method of Groove." Caputo's howling tenor has a muffled tone that while passionate, sounds undeveloped. The singer's delivery is unique, however, and it must have grown on more than a few listeners, as this debut garnered respectable sales numbers and the band was given plenty of choice opening slots on their tour to support it. Passionate, serious, and heavy, River Runs Red is one of the early '90s' better metal debuts. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide
