Life Of Agony share "Scars" video off new album, announce world tour
Brooklyn alt-metal vets Life Of Agony have announced a new album, The Sound of Scars, due October 11 via Napalm Records. It’s the followup to their 2017 comeback album A Place Where There’s No More Pain, their first album with new drummer Veronica Bellino, and a sequel to their classic 1993 debut River Runs Red. Bassist Alan Robert explains:
The Sound of Scars feels like such a monumental moment in Life of Agony’s story. On one hand, we’ve come full circle, continuing the concept of our 1993 debut River Runs Red, and on the other hand, we’ve reached new heights with the raw power of the sound and songwriting. We really cannot wait for fans to sink their teeth into this beast and take this emotional journey with us. This record is a monster.
A new Billboard feature/interview also sheds more light on the album continuing the concept of River Runs Red:
The Sound of Scars picks up where 1993’s River Runs Red left off with melodic, hardcore tracks that flow beyond the original story of a teen who attempts to end his life. The aftermath of that event is played out in audio snippets and song — much like River’s format — as a survivor still coping with his troubled past. Starting with “Prelude,” Scars opens the same way that Red eerily ended, with the sound of blood dripping on water, then shifts into the events following that fateful decision. Like River moved through its audio labeled “Monday,” “Thursday” and “Friday” documenting the teen’s troubled life — losing a job and a girlfriend, learning that he wasn’t graduating and living with a verbally abusive parent — Scars continues with “Then” (where he’s revived at a hospital), “Now” (his wife reaching out to his doctor) and “When,” where we find him in the doctor’s office trying to fight his demons and the scars before visceral closing “I Surrender.”
“It’s just become really apparent to us that the message of the band is ‘Hey, you’re not alone,’” Robert adds. “We’re all going through this together, and we’re all survivors in our own way. It’s become the core of the band, helping people. And you can really see it at the live shows. These songs really connect to people on an emotional level.” Singer Mina Caputo adds, “I think Life of Agony’s MO was always to write for the individual that felt as if they couldn’t go on anymore. We stuck with that for years, and everyone goes through it. It doesn’t matter if you’re trans, gay, white or black or whatever. However you want to separate things into little subdivisions, people go through shit.”
The album was co-produced by Sylvia Massy (who’s also worked with Tool, System Of A Down, and more) and LOA guitarist Joey Z, and Massy mixed it too. First single “Scars” is out now, along with an eerie performance video that suits the song well. It’s got police sirens, a high-speed hardcore breakdown, a fiery wah solo, a soaring singalong chorus; the works. Listen and watch the video below.
LOA also announced a world tour, including a hometown-area show at NJ’s Starland Ballroom on December 21 with Despyre and Empire Fallen. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday, August 14 at 10 AM. All dates are listed below.
Tracklist
1. Prelude
2. Scars
3. Black Heart
4. Lay Down
5. Then
6. Empty Hole
7. My Way Out
8. Eliminate
9. Now
10. Once Below11. Stone
12. Weight of the World
13. When
14. I Surrender
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LOA — 2019 European Tour Dates:
10/22: London, UK @ Islington Academy
10/23: Southampton, UK @ Engine Rooms
10/25: Birmingham, UK @ 02 Institute2
10/26: Manchester, UK @ Club Academy
10/27: Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
10/29: Milton Keynes, UK @ Craufurd Arms
10/30: Bristol, UK @ Fleece
11/1: Torhout, BEL @ De Mast
11/2: Dusseldorf, DE @ Zakk
11/4: Copenhagen, Denmark @ Amager Bio
11/6: Hannover, DE @ Musikzentrum
11/8: Luxembourg @ Kulturfabrik
11/9: Stuttgart, DE @ Juz Hallschlag
11/10: Zurich, CH @ Dynamo
11/12: Graz, AU @ PPC
11/13: Vienna, AU @ Flex
11/15: Leuven, BEL @ Depot
11/16: Hengelo, NL @ Metropool
11/17: Munster, DE @ Sputnikhalle
LOA – 2019 US/CAN Tour Dates:
12/11: New Bedford, MA @ The Vault @ Greasy Luck
12/13: Quebec City, QC @ La Source de Martinière
12/14: Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar
12/15: Ottawa, ON @ The Brass Monkey
12/17: Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
12/18: London, ON @ Rum Runners
12/19: Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall
12/21: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
