Wargasm - Ugly
1993 Massacre Records
by Shev

Quick Summary:
In 1988, Wargasm released one of the best offerings of thrash in the history of the genre which was appropriately titled, "Why Play Around?".  Due to yet another sad story of a record label sticking it hard to a band complete with violin music in the background, it took Wargasm five years to come up with it's sophomore follow-up, "Ugly".  The differences between the two albums are huge, although it's still Wargasm serving up another good supply of violence.

Gone are the overly harsh vocals heard on their debut, and in their place Bob Mayo attempts something a little easier to digest.  It's still very recognizable as Wargasm, none the less.  If the vocals turn the listener off, the guitar, bass, and drum work probably will not.  They still place a lot of stock in technicality and writing complexity.  Compared with the low quality of thrash being released right around 1993 (the end of the golden age), "Ugly" can easily trade blows with other premium acts at that time like Candy Striper Death Orgy, Assorted Heap, Overkill, and Heathen.  Overall, not as good as their first, but still some worthy earth shattering thrash.

Website:  www.angelfire.com/ma2/officialwargasmpage

Song Summaries:

1. Rudest Awakening - Roughly five minutes of thrash, sick double bass, and a little bit of blues thrown in for good measure.  A
2. Enemy Mine - They really slow things down after "Rudest Awakening".  Sounds like a creeping cover of Pantera covering Meliah Rage.  D+
3. Chameleon - Changing direction, "Chameleon" is a relaxed rock/metal tune focusing on more simplicity and melody.  At 6:10, it's a bit much to listen to Bob Mayo attempt some diverse vocals, but overall a great song.  B+
4. I Breathe Fire - 100% energetic thrash marked with smokin' riffs, unelaborate and straight forward drumming, and a vicious guitar solo from 2:04 to 2:34.  One of Wargasm's best.  A+
5. Ugly Is To The Bone - One of the most maniacal, speediest thrash masterpieces of all time.  The beginning slow vocals on top of fast guitars and drumming is it's only downfall.  Over six minutes of brilliance.  A
6. Slow Burn - Boring Metallica-inspired instrumental slop whose only purpose is to serve as an intro to "Blood Flood".  D-
7. Blood Flood - Highly generic, mid-paced chugging filler.  This isn't Wargasm at all.  D
8. One Man Army - What "One Man Army" lacks in speed, technicality, and attitude, it makes up for in pure suave.  At over five and a half minutes, it's a bit long, but certainly hasn't overstayed it's welcome.  B
9. Spirit In Decay - Even though the beginning of "Spirit In Decay" teases the listener with some very emphatic thrash, Wargasm quickly turns this into some of the weakest, sappiest, slo-mo sewage I have ever had the displeasure of hearing.  At 3:50 they break out some thrash, but not content with the thought of redeeming themselves, they run this song back into the ground at 5:19 with more pathetic garbage that would make Dave Mustaine shameful.  F
10. Dead Man's Smile - 2:53 of some of the best light speed thrash ever recorded.  This smokes about 95% of everything Slayer has ever done.  A+
11. Dreadnaught Day - Definitely one of Wargasm's most recognized songs.  Even though it's not even one of their ten best, it's easy to see why it's so exalted by the fans.  This is pretty much a well-structured sampler of just about everything Wargasm has to offer in under six minutes:  Slow/medium/fast tempo's; moody guitar picking; pronounced bass lines; great use of build-up; memorable riffs; insane use of drums at all speeds; and two completely different guitar solo's.  B

Average Track Rating:  B-
Overall Album Rating:  B