River Runs Red is the debut studio album by American alternative metal band Life of Agony, released on October 12, 1993 by Roadrunner Records. It is a concept album, telling the story of a teenager, from a troubled household, who ultimately attempts suicide. The album features what Rolling Stone called "bleak odes to misanthropy, parental neglect, regret and killing yourself". All music and arrangements are credited to Life of Agony collectively. All lyrics, melodies and musical concepts are credited to bassist Alan Robert. Robert also conceptualized the album's cover art and designed the band's logo. The album was produced and mixed by Josh Silver (ex-producer/keyboardist of Type O Negative) at Systems Two in Brooklyn, New York, and was mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York. River Runs Red was dedicated to Carl DeStefano. In May 2005, River Runs Red became the fourth album overall to be inducted into the Decibel Hall of Fame. In June 2017, Rolling Stone named River Runs Red number 58 on of its list of the "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time". Sound and style Rolling Stone noted that the tracks are "sung passionately in a unique baritone" and that they are set to "a pastiche of gloom metal and hardcore punk". The magazine also said that the band used "interpolated, hip-hop-style theatrical skits" to tell the story of a man driven to suicide. Jason Anderson of AllMusic described the album as a "unique combination of New York hardcore, metal, and a touch of spooky grunge vaguely reminiscent of Alice in Chains. Anderson said "This Time" and "Underground" were the album's grungiest tracks, while "Method of Groove" was "reckless hardcore". Concept River Runs Red is a concept album that focuses on suicide, while also exploring themes of abuse, alcoholism, and abandonment. Story The lyrics of the musical tracks on "River Runs Red" do not directly correlate with the story but do touch on personal issues facing various band members and at the same time they provide a feel in-line with the story being told in the theatrical tracks. For example, the album's first theatrical track, "Monday", establishes that the main character's mother (possibly step-mother) is verbally abusive and neglects her infant child. The track ends with the main character listening to a voicemail in which his girlfriend breaks up with him. The next musical song is the title track, "River Runs Red" which