Introduce yourself to a heavy rock band called LIFE OF AGONY. With that kind of name you may well be fearing the worst- but New York's alternative metal outfit want to be more than a band who attract the attention black-hoodie-toting kids, or the devotion of the stoner-East-European rockers.
LoA's first studio album in eight years has received an excited reception from the fans (although a quick tour of the message boards may confirm your above fears) and perhaps more importantly is a strong attempt at the crossover genre. Opener, and stand out track "Love to Let you Down" comes complete with nominations for MTV2's metal video for the year - and it gives your assumptions a good kicking; blowing you away with melody and sheer brutal strength. This is quickly followed by the almost Foo-Fighters-esque "Last Cigarette" leaving no doubt as to the groups intentions to rock the mainstream.
The sound is best described as post-grunge metal. Hardcore, but melodic enough to be accessible. As you might expect from a band with well over 10 years experience, the job is performed with accuracy and efficiency. The tight drums and bass of Alan Robert and Sal Abruscato create a strong foundation for the taught, dark and punchy guitars of Joey Z over which vocalist Keith Caputo can show his full range. From the pained cries to the intimate, it's a modern sounding vocal that sits well against the musical backdrop whilst articulating strongly emotional lyrics
The problem is, that despite all these pieces of the musical jigsaw being firmly in place, the album slowly begins to let you down. You're not sure exactly where it happened, but somewhere as you get past the halfway mark you feel it could have been so much better. There are elements of genre-crossing bands such as Incubus, Queens of the Stone Age and System of a Down but it simply sounds too derivative, from the guitar riffs and even down to the lyrics for the disaffected youth- you just feel you've heard it all before.
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In fairness there are definite glimpses of something more interesting- The 1 minute 36 second snippet of dark brooding piano and vocal that is "No-one Survives" should really have become the best song on the album, and UK exclusive bonus track DNR has a frenetic urgency that much of the album lacks. If we aren't left waiting another eight years for another one- the follow-up to this album is likely to be worth checking out!
For those who love their heavy rock this will sit happily in their collection- it is by no means a bad album and it has some definite strength beyond it's more immediate fan-base. The band are touring the UK in December and with a reputedly solid live show they will undoubtedly win more fans. It's just that for the average music-lover, there probably isn't anything innovative or exciting enough on offer to seriously tempt them.
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