LIFE OF AGONY — Ugly (review)

LIFE OF AGONY — Ugly album cover Album · 1995 · Alternative Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Ugly" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, New York based hardcore/alternative rock/metal act Life of Agony. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in October 1995. It´s the successor to "River Runs Red" from 1993 and although the two albums feature the same lineup, they feature a vastly different sound.

Although the band´s hardcore roots rear their ugly head a few rare times during the playing time, "Ugly" is an alternative metal album rather than a hardcore ditto. Desperation, bleak melancholy, and frustrations are still the emotions the band convey through their music. Lead vocalist Keith Caputo (now Mina Caputo) generally sings a bit more restrained and varied on "Ugly" compared to his predominantly full-on belting on "River Runs Red (1993)" and the instrumental part of the music is also a bit more varied. It´s still relatively heavy and dark music, but not necessarily in a heavy metal fashion all the time. I´d even label some tracks hard rock rather than heavy metal.

The material on the 12 track (the limited edition features two bonus tracks), 53:07 minutes long album are relatively varied and all tracks are catchy and memorable (some more than others). Tracks like "I Regret", "Fears", and "Damned If I Do" are in the heavy end of the spectrum, while tracks like "Other Side of the River", "How It Would Be", and "Unstable" show a more melodic and sensitive side of the band. The inclusion of a cover of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds works really well for the band too. So while they don´t effortlessly make the transition from hardcore act to alternative rock/metal act, they predominantly succeed in their mission. They may have alienated a few fans in the process, but probably gained just as many with this new musical direction.

"Ugly" features a dark and heavy sounding production. It´s not quite as sharp as the sound production on the predecessor, but it suits the material well. So upon conclusion "Ugly" is a good quality sophomore album release by Life of Agony. It´s quite bold changing your sound as drastically as the band do here this early in their career, but it´s obvious they felt a need to progress and do something different. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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