LIFE OF AGONY
through the honest lyrics and soul- Sound of Scars is the first record ful vocals that only Mina [Caputo] that drummer Veronica Bellino could possibly deliver,â€? Robert says. has recorded with Life of Agony, “We have never been more focused and the connection the band than in the making of this record. shares with Bellino’s talents on the Every detail was thought through.â€? kit only add to the album’s quality and perfection. Robert also shares that the timing of this album was almost magical. “When Veronica joined the band “Once the record was all done and last year, it gave us such a boost in we sent it to the label, they immedi- spirit and morale. We felt energized ately loved it and gave us a release and enthusiastic about the future, date that fit into their schedule. and I think that all shows on this Without even knowing the con- record,â€? Robert adds. “The dynamic nection, they gave us Oct. 11, 2019. between all of us changed for the Our minds were blown. River Runs better. We are having fun again. It Red came out 26 years earlier, reminds me of the feeling I had long practically to the day! That's some before we ever signed a record deal.â€? cosmic shit right there.â€? Whether you are a first-time While the band was writing the listener, or you’ve been a fan music for Sound of Scars, they since the ’90s, there’s something were reminiscing about memo- in Sound of Scars that every metal ries they had of their 30 years as fan can enjoy. Life of Agony. “To see our fans completely flip out “We laughed a lot, we always do. It over it - they're just so thrilled! All was like the old days again in a lot that makes us smile,â€? Robert adds. of ways. Especially when it came “I encourage each and every Life time to track the backup gang of Agony fan to turn just one pervocals,â€? Robert reflects. “Joey and I son they know onto the band. Life just screamed our asses off for like of Agony has saved so many peosix hours straight, going from song ple's lives through the music, and INTERVIEW WITH BASSIST ALAN ROBERT to song. That brought back a lot of you never know who might need it BY NATALEE COLOMAN memories from the River Runs Red most. If we can help just one perife of Agony paved the way for we never set out to duplicate days, for sure. I think I lost my voice son feel less alone in this world, then we've done our job!â€? đ&#x;’Ł many bands in the metal scene, what we've done before, but we for like two days after that.â€? starting in the late ’90s with their did include certain songwriting debut album, River Runs Red. elements that the ’90s-era Life of Agony records had.â€? 26 years later, almost to the exact date of the release of their debut, Robert also mentions how evthe group returns with their kick- erything had to be right with this ass new album, Sound of Scars, record, including the authenticity released to the public on Oct. 11, of the EMT and police codes used 2019 via Napalm Records. in “Preludeâ€? and throughout the album. “We did our homework. We Sound of Scars begins where River got our friends on the police force Runs Red leaves off, with “Preludeâ€? involved. We made sure every easing listeners back into the detail felt legit. We're very proud of storyline with the sound of blood what we were able to accomplish dripping, a slow and faint heart- together.â€? beat in the background, and emergency responders calling in All the hard work that went into an attempted suicide. Sound of Scars is very evident whether it’s the seamlessness of “Every aspect of it had to be right each song flowing into another, the - from the sonics and performanc- passion driving the music, or the es, the audio scenes, the artwork, heart and soul heard in the vocals. to the common message of the “Every song had to move the listener songs telling this story,â€? bassist both physically, with groove and PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAT GILRANE Alan Robert shares. “Musically, hard-hitting riffs, and emotionally, PHOTO BY PAT GILRANE
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56 NEW NOISE
