With their new album “Sound Of Scars” getting rave reviews the world over, the reinvigorated masters of the metal underground, Life of Agony have dropped by Bristol this evening to show the modest crowd at The Fleece what they are all about. The LOA story is quite a unique one even in rock n’ roll terms, but what awaits us tonight is a band happy and that’s once again firing on all cylinders. Before the Brooklyn outfit take the stage though, we have a genuine punk legend among us, as Misfits guitarist and man mountain, Doyle steps up, with his solo band to take us through 40 minutes of mundane horror rock. It’s great to watch Doyle in action as punches the riffs out of his guitar, but if it’s not the Misfits, it just isn’t worth it.
Thankfully Life Of Agony have brought their A-game to a miserable Bristol evening. In a heart warming gesture they embrace each other before hitting the stage, another sign that after 20+ years of being together, they’ve all survived as friends. Singer Mina Caputo, is the last to enter the fray as they burst into “Scars” from the new album, but it’s when they launch into one of their signature songs “River Runs Red” that the crowd really get going. Guitarist Joey Z is, as ever, the bands cheerleader ordering the crowd to move when required and they duly respond. The rhythm section of Alan Robert and new drummer Veronica Bellino have already locked in on each other, providing a pulsating backbeat. Aside from “Love To Let You Down” and “Weeds” the set list is largely taken from “River Runs Red” and the new album, which suits me just fine. “Black Heart” from the new gets a great response from the crowd, with Mina even teasing a pole dance on the venues many pillars and before you know it, it’s the three killer tracks from RRR as “This Time,” “Underground” and “Through and Through” finish off an energetic set. All that’s left is for Joey to meet the many fans at the side of the stage, which he gratefully does. I’ve been an LOA fan from the start and it’s really awesome to see such a humble band back to their absolute best.