Real talk…some say there's not enough of it. Yet in the music world conversations are left for intermissions and all the honesties are spent walking through the chords. When the notes ring out and the rhythms hammer at your chest there is no room for pretence or evasion, only for the truth; and on that night at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, truth is all there was.

Coming fresh off the release of their latest record "A Place Where There Is No More Pain" New Yorkers LIFE OF AGONY rolled into London town for the last stop of their September UK tour to bless a crowd of loyal fans with their bonafide Metal sounds. Supporting the renowned collective were AARON BUCHANAN AND THE CULT CLASSICS along with BLOOD RUNS DEEP, an eclectic team of opening acts that brought multiple flavours to an already enticing night.

First on the stage were the Doom/Post Metal creatures BLOOD RUNS DEEP.

 

 Remaining as mere penumbras in the blur of warm yellow glow for the majority of their set, the band spoke with sounds, creating an echoing atmosphere that pierced through the room and drew souls to the pulse of each intensifying sonic wave. If you are a fan of outfits like STEAK NUMBER EIGHT and CULT OF LUNA, then these are the guys to see.
 

Following the sombre twilight of the former band, AARON BUCHANAN AND THE CULT CLASSICS lit up the stage with a firework display of pure edgy Rock 'N' Roll.
 

The energy surge shot the transistor boards as the band delivered a set that left even the most laid-back of attendees out of breath. Aaaron Buchanan himself was the embodiment of a true Rock 'N' Roll frontman – perhaps even a reincarnation of Scott Weiland himself – and delivered some of the most exciting stage personality and vocals that one can come across in this era of music
 

It didn't take long for the awaited headliner to take command of the night. After getting his guitar tone into that sweet spot Joey Z was joined by the rest of the band  - with Mina's (Caputo) entry sending the crowd's anticipation into overdrive.

 

 The band wasted no time in digging straight into their classics, playing "River Runs Red" staples that haven't aged a day, later-era fan favourites like "Weeds", and even inviting the audience to participate in the filming of a live video for one of the band's new tracks "Dead Speak Kindly".
 

The grooves were laid, the emotions followed, with Mina belting out the songs in between interacting with each and every soul as if with kindred spirits - outlining the essence of what the LIFE OF AGONY FAMIGLIA is all about.
 

 Although tired from the road the band gave a stellar performance to their devout following and left them with feeling of appreciation and collective importance; and that is as real as it gets.