Interview with Helpless Agony

Hi Ron! Going from solo to full band – did that shift the energy or just crank it up?
The energy is cranked up for sure. I still write and record all the music on my own, but having a full band for live purposes really makes the songs come to life.

Persistent Acrimony hits hard emotionally. What cracked open to make that record happen?
I was going through a lot at the time of writing that record. My lineup at the time for the band fell through, I was going through a tough job change, and I was having some family trouble. All that frustration culminated into the writing of Persistent Acrimony.

Is writing lyrics like that a release, or do you ever feel exposed by them?
The lyrics I write are my thoughts expressed on paper. I don’t have to try and write them. With that, there is a release since it is like journaling. Although, I do wonder if people reading the lyrics question my sanity.

Belligerent Retribution pulls from everything you’ve done – what makes this one different?
Belligerent Retribution is the record that has the signature Helpless Agony style. Listeners will hear aspects of the previous three albums combined into one to make for a great summary of the evolution of songwriting over the last year.

The title alone sounds pissed off – what’s the story behind Belligerent Retribution?
The last record [Absurd Populace] had a few lyrical themes of standing up for yourself that the other records did not touch on. I wanted to continue that theme but make it more extreme and violent. The lyrics will be posted on the streaming platforms when the album is released for your reference.

Your lyrics dig into both personal pain and social decay. What fuels that fire more lately?
I have seen things I have not liked and dealt with situations that were frustrating. Some examples are people trying to bring me down by starting rumors, watching people throw others under the bus to get ahead, and watching someone act friendly towards someone else before laughing about them. I find it sick how humans can act. I am also unhappy with how I have acted in some situations. All these situations inspire me to write.

Since The Suffering of Man, how has your writing mindset shifted – if at all?
My writing mindset has not shifted too much. The Suffering of Man was written to test the waters. Since then, I have been hit with the writing bug. I still write whatever I feel like whenever I want.

You’ve put out two albums in under a year – how the hell do you keep it from going stale?
That’s a good question. I try to add new ideas the more I write. I do not want every record to sound the same.

Is the emotional weight in your music meant more for your own release, or to drag listeners into it too?
It is more for my release, but I do believe listeners can relate to what is being said lyrically.

Are the experimental parts of Absurd Populace here to stay or just a one-off detour?
There will be parts of Absurd Populace sprinkled in newer songs, but the structure will be different.

What do you think of the death metal scene right now – who’s doing it right?
I’m not too impressed with the death metal scene right now. I think a lot of bands sound the same and are writing what I consider to be the new trend. I don’t know of any original sounding death metal bands these days. It seems like the hardcore based death metal is the main thing now.

There’s something extra raw in Persistent Acrimony. Was something breaking behind the scenes?
There were a lot of frustrating circumstances going on in my life at the time of writing that record. See the answer to question two for details.

Is that black/doom/death mix your home base now, or are you still pushing to escape it?
Black/death/doom metal is still my home base because those styles are what I feel most comfortable writing since it feels natural to play that way. Although, I still look for ways to not be boxed in and write the same riffs.

Is there one track in your discography that hits you harder than the rest – like, that’s the one?
I really like Holy Liar. I think that one hits hard with the aggressiveness and the emotional feeling in the riffs and lyrics. I didn’t think I could top that song when I finished writing it.

Once Belligerent Retribution drops – what’s next? Are you already writing again, or breathing for once? Thank you for your time!
I have written a few new tracks that will be released after Belligerent Retribution. They will not be on a new album, but you may see them appear somewhere that looks familiar. I am also doing something special for the one-year anniversary of Universal Deterioration.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl77a7ePVCm36wBNl4q6fWQ