Genre/Influences: Industrial, electro-industrial.

Format: Digital, cassette.

Background/Info: Driven by Jake Alejo, the American project Uglyhead is now already active for two decades. Some records are purely solo-like while others are featuring extra members (guests). On “Disembodied” Jake Alejo invited Galen Waling (Lords Of Acid, Left Spine Down) to play acoustic drums on the title track.  

Content: It’s not an easy thing defining the sound of Uglyhead. It has something retro-like in the electronic sound treatments while driven by bombastic rhythms. Sometimes exploring total chaos and next moving on the path of dark-electronics, this work sounds first of all very eclectic.

+ + + : The work’s diversity makes its originality! I like the opening piece for its retro-element, but also both last songs, which have something more dark-electro driven. The atmospheres hanging over the work are important here and especially the last cut “The Funhole” is worth of examination.

– – – : I’m missing a bit of power in some songs. It sometimes feels like a band still in search of a real sound identity. I expected a bit more from the title song.

Conclusion: I can’t say Uglyhead has totally convinced me although I have to admit the last song opens an interesting path for the future.

Best songs: “The Funhole”, “Too Real For Love”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.uglyhead.org / www.facebook.com/uglyheadmusic

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Industrial, experimental, ambient.

Background/Info: Jake Alejo is already active under the Uglyhead moniker for nearly 20 years. Several productions have been released and we here welcome the newest exposure entitled “Time & Time Again” revealing 8 cuts.

Content: Defined as ‘experimental dark rock’, this opus will also appeal for lovers of darkest music genres and especially industrial heads. The songs are quite diversified, in the beginning mainly driven by nervous drum sections, but still revealing icy electronic treatments and enraged vocal parts.

The second part of the work becomes a bit slower featuring freaky industrial-ambient passages.

+ + + : The album stands for a dark, but eclectic composition bringing different influences together. The industrial element appears to be the main one, which mixed with cold electronics and chilling atmospheres result in a truly fascinating and ultimate underground composition. “Amalgam” is a real great track. The cassette format reinforces the underground touch of the production.

– – – : I can’t say this work is an extreme sonic experience, but for sure not the most accessible one. It’s not that easy to define Uglyhead, which makes the originality of the sound, but still a truly challenge when it comes to conquer a wider audience.

Conclusion: This is a totally underground-minded work with a cool industrial approach. I’m not totally convinced, but I am intrigued.

Best songs: “Amalgam”, “Burgeon”, “Arms Of Memories”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.uglyhead.org / www.facebook.com/uglyheadmusic

Label: www.automationrecords.com / www.facebook.com/AutomationRecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com