River Runs Red - Life Of Agony

Life of Agony burst onto the rock/metal scene with River Runs Red, it was a debut that sounded like nothing else when it arrived. Basically combining the sort of rough-house tactics that Biohazard employed previously (Shouted gang vocals, chugging guitars, double-time drums) with a more melodic, mournful vocal style (courtesy of Keith Caputo), they found a niche in the market and gained many fans because of it. The opener 'This Time' is probably a little more melodic than most of the album, the soaring, pleading chorus allowing Caputo to really show his vocal range. Following up with 'Underground', a heavier song, with various tempo changes throughout, ...  Read the complete review

'River Runs Red' is the debut release from Brooklyn alternative metal band Life of Agony, and is one of the defining examples of the nineties doom rock style with its slow yet powerful guitar riffs and soaring vocals that avoid the pomposity of Candlemass. These songs are simple, catchy and compelling, and the obscure narrative inserted in-between in the form of dialogue and answering machine messages (on 'Monday,' 'Thursday' and 'Friday') add another level of enjoyment for fans intrigued by the lyrical concept as well as the music. Fortunately for those not interested in such things, it's even easier to ignore. The style does become a little trying as the ...  Read the complete review