Life of Agony (aka LoA) is a New York hardcore/hard rock band from Brooklyn, New York.
The band was formed in the summer of 1989. The band quickly signed to the independent label Roadrunner Records. With the guiding help of longtime friend and producer Josh Silver of Type O Negative, they made their debut album River Runs Red in 1993. Following records were Ugly in 1995, Soul Searching Sun in 1997, a live album called "The river runs again" and their last one "Broken valley" [2005]. To support their studio albums, LoA toured with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, KoЯn, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, Incubus and many others.
Life of Agony is a cornerstone of the New York heavy music scene, respected by peers and fans alike. According to the group members themselves, they were influenced by bands as diverse as Radiohead, Metallica, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath. While you can hear those various influences in Life of Agony, you can hear touches of LoA in some of today's more popular bands.
Whether it was the intensity of their live performances or the haunting melodies and lyrical content, this group radiated a passion and emotion that struck a chord in the hearts of misunderstood youth all over the world. Perhaps it was the underlying message of strength, hidden within the group's tales of despair that made such an impact on people. For most listeners, understanding that the songs came from a genuine place, based on actual experiences made the message really hit home, that they were not alone.