Ugly (Life of Agony album)
Ugly is the second album released by American alternative metal band Life of Agony. The band incorporates a more melodic and less heavy alternative metal sound compared to the heavier, New York hardcore-influenced sound heard on their 1993 debut, "River Runs Red". "Ugly" still features the band's trademark heavy riffing (e.g. 'I Regret', 'Damned If I Do', 'Fears'); however, elements such as "gang" backing vocals and double-bass drumming have been replaced by slower, more melodic moments (e.g. "Let's Pretend") and even acoustic guitar (e.g. bonus tracks "Coffee Break" and bonus Bob  Marley and the Wailers cover track, "Redemption Song"). Lead singer, Mina Caputo, opted for a more natural vocal delivery, eschewing the baritone howls heard on the previous record. The majority of the album was written by and even performed by the band during the extensive touring in support of their debut album. "Ugly" was produced by Steve Thompson and recorded at Systems Two in Brooklyn, NY. Thompson also mixed the album with longtime partner Michael Barbiero. The pair were brought onto the project because of their previous work with Guns N' Roses ("Appetite For Destruction") and Metallica ("...And Justice For  All"). "Ugly" was released by Roadrunner Records in 1995. That same year, Roadrunner Records issued a limited edition version of Ugly in a custom, tin metal case featuring exclusive artwork and two bonus tracks recorded at the "Ugly" sessions. Alternate mixes/versions of these bonus tracks were later released on the "1989-1999" compilation album. However the versions found on the European Limited Edition, are the original Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero mixes and are exclusive to the metal box release. Sal Abruscato left the band after the album's tour in 1996 due to, "creative differences", but later rejoined  for LOA's first reunion in 2002. Abruscato would ultimately leave the band for the second time in 2018. While most fans consider "River Runs Red" to be Life Of Agony's definitive work, many consider "Ugly" to be an underrated, alternative metal "classic". Reception. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic praised the album writing in his review "For listeners unaccustomed to blistering, noisy metal, Life of Agony will be agonizing. However, fans of the genre will find the band to be among the best of the mid-'90s, capable of spitting out razor-sharp riffs. What makes Ugly work is the  band's grasp of sonic texture -- they can make even their quiet moments menacing." Critically, the album performed well, but did not repeat the sales of "River Runs Red"; this can most likely be attributed to the album's considerable change in sound. Personnel. Life of Agony Additional musicians Technical personnel