Helpless Agony was formed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in January 2024 by songwriter Ron Sowal Jr as a means to release songs he had written in the second half of 2023. Ron went to Preylude Studios to record a 4 track EP entitled The Suffering of Man, which was released on February 13, 2024. Soon after, Ron recruited a few local musicians to play live shows together. After playing a few shows including a headlining gig in NYC, Ron went back to the studio to record a full-length album. The final product entitled Universal Deterioration was released on July 6, 2024. After releasing the single Tribe of Destruction on July 9, 2024, Helpless Agony continued playing live shows, including an album release party in Delaware.
Ron Sowal is currently in the studio recording the 2nd Helpless Agony full-length album, which is expected to be released in September 2024.
The current live lineup for Helpless Agony is Ron Sowal (guitar/vocals), Wade Alexander (guitar), Kevin Sneed (bass), and Will Martinez (drums).
-Interview- (8/16/24)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? How did the name "Helpless Agony" come about and is there any meaning to it?
I got started with music by listening to death/black metal in high school. I wanted to cover some of my favorite songs, so I learned how to do vocals and bought a guitar. After a few years of learning how to play the songs I loved as a teenager, I decided to start writing my own songs. I developed my sound by just playing what I liked to play feeling wise. There was never much thought on trying to sound a certain way. I just played what I felt was right. I picked up a bass and learned how to program drums too. The name "Helpless Agony' came about because I recorded a 4 track EP in the studio and needed a band name to release it. I thought the phrase Helpless Agony fit the lyrical themes I was writing at the time.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
I want people to enjoy what they hear. My lyrics tend to have themes regarding the negative feelings one can have of themselves and the world, as well as unfortunate circumstances that can happen to anyone. Maybe some people can relate to what is being said.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
That's a good question because I do not try to sound any specific way. My influences are death/black metal.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
I would love to tour with Incantation, Marduk, and Morbid Angel.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
I personally do not care what other artist's decide to do regarding songwriting. I myself take the time to write riffs on a guitar, write lyrics/bass lines, and program drums.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Metal?
I have noticed a lot of metal bands popping up over the last few years, as well as the success of bands that began around a decade ago. I have not been around to see how the state of metal was in the golden days, but I do see good turnouts for the shows I go to. Like every era, I think there is a certain sound of metal that is the new trend.
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Pennsylvania?
The local 717 music scene of Pennsylvania has a lot of musicians/bands. Almost everyone involved supports each other and tries to help out the local scene. It is very incestuous in the fact that a lot of musicians work together in different bands to help build each other up. The music scene is built upon community in this area, and that extends to the venues as well.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
Well, it is definitely good to have a day job as a DIY metal musician at this point, haha. It is what it is. I can't get upset over it. I write, record, and release music because I enjoy doing it.
9. What’s next for Helpless Agony?
I am currently finishing the recording of the 2nd Helpless Agony LP. I plan on releasing it in September of 2024. Other than that, there are a few local shows that are booked. I have a great lineup of musicians that enjoy playing the songs with me.
10. Any shoutouts?
I would love to give a shoutout to some local bands in my area that have supported me and are doing a fantastic job: Verminoth, Zauberei, Cryptid Tears, Cultic, Humanity Decayed, Symptoms, Blood and Earth, Gallowglas, and Ametropia.
