Life of Agony (aka LoA) is a metal (crossover/doom metal) band from New York.
The band was formed in the summer of 1989. The band quickly signed to the independent label Roadrunner Records. With the guiding help of longtime friend and producer Josh Silver of Type O Negative, they made their debut album River Runs Red in 1993. Following records were Ugly in 1995 and Soul Searching Sun in 1997. To support their studio albums, LoA toured with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, Incubus and many others.
Whether it was the intensity of their live performances or the haunting melodies and lyrical content, this group radiated a passion and emotion that struck a chord in the hearts of misunderstood youth all over the world. Perhaps, it was the underlying message of strength, hidden within the group's tales of despair that made such an impact on people. For most listeners, understanding that the songs came from a genuine place, based on actual experiences made the message really hit home, that they were not alone.
Keith Caputo and Alan Robert write all the songs, but they had never written songs together before Soul Searching Sun. Up until then, Keith writes mostly, or only, about his parents.
For January 3rd and 4th of 2003, LoA announced a "one-time only" reunion show, with all four original members together again on stage for the first time since 1995. After the first date sold out in under 20 minutes, a second show was announced to ensure that more fans would get a chance to witness the historic occasion. Ask bassist Alan Robert his thoughts on the reunion and he will tell you, "After all we've been through together, it's apparent that we have a rare and special chemistry that cannot be duplicated." Guitarist Joey Z stated, "We always did what we did because we are fans of the music first."
These reunion shows have opened the door to a whole new chapter in the LoA saga. Life of Agony, are back as a force to be reckoned with. The band members are very excited to be playing and writing together again. The problems that the band experienced which lead to their demise seem to be rectified. LoA have been touring for the last year in support of their SPV Records double-live album/DVD release , and have written new material for their full-length studio album Broken Valley, due out in the first half of 2005.
History
The band was formed in the summer of 1989. The band quickly signed to the independent label Roadrunner Records. With the guiding help of longtime friend and producer Josh Silver of Type O Negative, they made their debut album River Runs Red in 1993. Following records were Ugly in 1995 and Soul Searching Sun in 1997. To support their studio albums, LoA toured with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, Incubus and many others.
Music
Life of Agony is a cornerstone of the New York heavy music scene, respected by peers and fans alike. According the the group members themselves, they were influenced by bands as diverse as Radiohead, Metallica, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath. While you can hear those various influences in Life of Agony, you can hear touches of LoA in some of today's more popular bands.Whether it was the intensity of their live performances or the haunting melodies and lyrical content, this group radiated a passion and emotion that struck a chord in the hearts of misunderstood youth all over the world. Perhaps, it was the underlying message of strength, hidden within the group's tales of despair that made such an impact on people. For most listeners, understanding that the songs came from a genuine place, based on actual experiences made the message really hit home, that they were not alone.
Keith Caputo and Alan Robert write all the songs, but they had never written songs together before Soul Searching Sun. Up until then, Keith writes mostly, or only, about his parents.
Line-up
The LoA band members have been good friends since early childhood. Nevertheless, the group ended up imploding over a series of decisions involving member changes, personal issues and differences in musical direction. Original drummer Sal Abruscato exited in 1995 and was replaced by former Pro-Pain drummer, Dan Richardson. Lead vocalist Keith Caputo left the group in 1997. Remaining members, guitarist Joey Zampanella (aka Joey Z) and bassist Alan Robert, struggled to rekindle the fire that once drove the group by collaborating with new players, like Ugly Kid Joe vocalist Whitfield Crane but finally decided to call it quits in 1999.For January 3rd and 4th of 2003, LoA announced a "one-time only" reunion show, with all four original members together again on stage for the first time since 1995. After the first date sold out in under 20 minutes, a second show was announced to ensure that more fans would get a chance to witness the historic occasion. Ask bassist Alan Robert his thoughts on the reunion and he will tell you, "After all we've been through together, it's apparent that we have a rare and special chemistry that cannot be duplicated." Guitarist Joey Z stated, "We always did what we did because we are fans of the music first."
These reunion shows have opened the door to a whole new chapter in the LoA saga. Life of Agony, are back as a force to be reckoned with. The band members are very excited to be playing and writing together again. The problems that the band experienced which lead to their demise seem to be rectified. LoA have been touring for the last year in support of their SPV Records double-live album/DVD release , and have written new material for their full-length studio album Broken Valley, due out in the first half of 2005.