As Life of Agony celebrates three decades since the release of Ugly, their emotionally charged 1995 album, drummer Veronica Bellino is helping to drive the band’s European tour with intensity, finesse, and a deep respect for the music’s history. Since joining the group in 2018, she’s become a key part of the band’s sound, tightening the rhythm section without losing any of the grit or rawness that’s long defined them.
Originally formed in Brooklyn in 1989, Life of Agony has been through its share of lineup changes. Bellino’s arrival, though, brought something different: a steadier, more dialed-in presence behind the kit. Her style isn’t flashy, but it’s focused, giving the songs, both old and new, space to breathe and hit harder. With Ugly turning 30, the tour feels like more than just a throwback; it’s a chance to hear those songs in a new light, and Bellino plays a big role in making that happen.
During the May 10 show in Warsaw, her approach was clear. Veronica Bellino wasn’t trying to mimic Sal Abruscato’s original parts beat-for-beat. Instead, she honored the feel, those slow-burning grooves and heavy-footed breakdowns, while injecting just enough modern precision to push the live energy up a notch. It’s a tricky balance, but she nailed it.
Songs like “Let’s Pretend” and “Damned If I Do” benefited from her sense of restraint. She didn’t overplay or crowd the emotional space: just stayed locked in and let the dynamics speak for themselves. On the flip side, heavier cuts like “I Regret” gave her room to stretch out a bit more, and her tom work and crash accents landed with serious weight.
Fans across Europe have taken notice. While there’s plenty of love in the crowd for the Ugly album itself, a lot of the buzz this tour has centered around how tight the band sounds, and Bellino’s a big part of that. Her drumming adds clarity and punch, but more than that, it fits. It feels right.
Her background helps explain why. She’s played with everyone from Jeff Beck to DMC to Richie Sambora, and that range shows. She brings a mix of session discipline and live intuition that’s rare. She knows when to lead and when to disappear into the pocket.
This tour isn’t just a celebration of the past. It’s a reminder that Life of Agony still has something real to offer, and Bellino’s playing makes that clear. She doesn’t just hold things down; she elevates them. The songs feel alive, not trapped in time.
As the tour moves through Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, her performance continues to stand out, not in a showy way, but in the way she supports the music from the inside out. In a genre where drums often just hit hard, Bellino reminds us they can also make you feel something.