Hardcore may be considered a young, angry man's game but Life of Agony prove with BROKEN VALLEY that there's room to grow beyond rage and aggression once you pass 30. As was the case with the CD/DVD reunion project RIVER RUNS AGAIN: LIVE 2003, all four original members have once again returned to the fold. Interestingly enough, VALLEY is steeped in heavy-rock nuances more reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age and vintage Soundgarden plus the moshpit fury of NYC brethren like No Redeeming Social Value.
LOA's willingness to evolve starts with singer Keith Caputo's more nuanced vocal phrasing. Singing rather than howling, Caputo effectively channels the loss he felt from his father's 2002 drug overdose throughout the pounding stomper "The Day He Dies" and the somber title cut. Bassist Alan Robert and ex-Type O Negative drummer Sal Abruscato form the rock-solid rhythmic anchor that fuels the deep grooves of the Alice In Chains-esque dirge "Junk Sick" and QOTSA-flavored "Last Cigarette," which resonate long after the CD stops playing.
