It's been a funny old time for Sevendust recently. They lost their long term guitarist and were drifting with no label to call home. But give them credit - they carried on recording their album Next, and recruited Amen guitar man Sonny Mayo, despite not knowing what the future might hold.

Ugly represents a new chapter for the band, but they haven't really moved away from their roots. This is still the kind of metal that can easily crossover into mainstream consciousness. There's the obligatory riff that chugs like a barfly fifteen minutes before closing time, and thunderous drums; yet somehow it doesn't really seem that heavy because of Lajon Witherspoon's melodic way with a vocal. There are occasional forays into that familiar hardcore style growling, but for the most part Witherspoon keeps himself in check and provides what the tune itself needs.

As a title, Ugly is rather misleading: we're not talking Cannibal Corpse here, after all. It is just about rough enough to keep your average metalhead happy, but don't be surprised to find your mum humming it absent-mindedly either.

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