A Place Where There's No More Pain [CD]

Let me begin by saying that I have been a fan of Life of Agony since their debut 'River Runs Red' way back in 1993. To say the band has evolved over the years is a drastic understatement. The original lineup from that iconic debut is back again and the music is great. Chunkier and heavier than anything off of 'Soul Searching Sun' and 'Broken Valley', this album proceeds to kick thing off with the crunchy 'Meet My Maker', keeping intact the dark personal lyrics that have become one the of bands tentpoles from their better efforts over the years. The vocals are perhaps the biggest diffence here. There is really no comparison to that of 'RRR' days but that was apparent years ago when the lead singer, then Keith Caputo, now Mina Caputo, and the band showed a different side of themselves with the followup (and still highly undervalued) 'Ugly'. Over the ensuing years the singer quit, successfully transitioned to female, and came back to the band that made her famous. I referenced the dark, personal nature of her lyrics earlier and that is one theme that still is evident in today's LOA. A personal favorite of mine is 'Bag of Bones' which has a real 'Type O Negative' quality to the music (please google this band if unfamiliar, and thank me later). The albums ends on very dark note with 'Little Spots of You', an acoustic track that finds Mina and her piano ending the album in a style eerily reminicient of the final track of RRR. Given how many loved ones and personal heroes I have lost over the last several years to suicide, this track chilled me to my core but is consistent with the nature of Minas' and LOA efforts over the years. All in all I highly recommend the album as long as you aren't expecting RRR part 2 which at this point I don't think anyone really is.

A Place Where There's No More Pain is Life Of Agony's firth album and first in about 10 years. The band features the same four members who recorded the landmark debut River Runs Red, but to say that they've changed over the nearly 25 years since that album came out would be an understatement. With the maturity that years of touring and performing brings to the table and the surprising life experiences of singer/lyricist Mina (formerly Keith) Caputo, this album follows in the tradition of the often dark, moody hard rock sound that we have come to expect from the band. This may not be in the vein of their hardcore-influenced debut (though honestly, nothing they have done since has been), but this is still aggressive and intense hard rock with Caputo's impassioned singing and cathartic lyrics over it. Sounded great in the '90s, and in the current musical landscape, it sounds just as great if not even better. If you like anything this band has done, it's worth picking up to see how the band has evolved over the years. You should really enjoy this if you liked the Ugly album (which some loved, but some fans of their debut found disappointing).

If you are expecting River Runs Red part 2, there's nothing to see here. This is a different kind of beast. However, it is still more than a triumphant return. A unique blend of hardcore metal instrumentation with newfound splashes of Alice in Chains and STP running through the vocals. This is nothing if not unique and spectacular. The two singles, Place Where There's No More Pain and Mad World are probably the catchiest tracks, if not the best (so check them out first to see how you're feeling about the CD), but there's plenty more here to dig into. The content matter is probably obvious if you have followed the group and their changes (and I do mean that respectfully) over the years. The band sounds tight, and while it won't be for everyone, the vocalist has never sounded better to my ears. Truly a great artisitic expression of suffering and pain, with ear scraping guitars in the background. A+

Depending on what music you like and probably when you were born you might think music is a mess. No rock and roll bands seem to exist anymore. Just the remains of a bygone era that seems to be content with milking any bit of nostalgia and as much money out of the fan as possible. I won't name the bands but you know them. Life of Agony is different. Perhaps cuz they didn't start out as a heavy rock band. Over time and many personal problems they have become one. It started with BROKEN VALLEY and has culminated many years later with this excellent album. It is not a reinvention of anything. It isn't the second coming but it will rock you hard. Which is what we are severely lacking today. It isn't soft or extreme and it is just what is needed.

The first CD in 12 years from Life of Agony is a solid effect. I read some reviews saying that it wasn't great, that they didn't sound like they did on River Runs Red so I was skeptical in buying it but was glad that I did. The songs are really good and Mina's voice sounds as good as on any LOA CD. My favorite songs are "Meet My Maker", "Right This Wrong", and "Song for the Abused". I also like the closer, "Little Spots of You"....not your typical LOA song. Its creepy in a way. It's good to hear some new music by a great but very underrated band.

I've been listening to LoA ever since Ugly came out. They've changed a bit over the years (Soul Searching Sun was def. NOT Ugly 2) but for the most part have remained a kick-a$$ band. While more mature, the sounds on this new album bring me back to the early days. Light years better than Broken Valley, this one's a keeper

Life of Agony are back with an album that can stand right next to the classics! Great passion and hard and heavy music that is just phenomenal. See them live for a heavy experience with tons of passion, intensity and love in the air!

LOA's first album since Keith became Mina, but it still sounds like the band the way they've always sounded. It might very well be their best.