U.S.S.A.
The Spoils
Fuzz Artists (2007)
U.S.S.A. is a relatively new project consisting of Ministry's Paul Barker, Tomahawk's Duane Denison and two other guys. Two out of four guys that have had some level of fame does not make a "supergroup," a word seemingly thrown around any time a dude from one known band happens to get together with one or more dudes from another known … Read more
Uboa
Impossible Light
Flenser (2024)
It comes with the territory. The harshness of noise, the unbearable coldness of industrial music, and the vastness of dark ambient naturally combine with the most visceral and dark themes. Uboa’s 2019 opus, The Origin of My Depression, weaponized these sonic arsenals to weave a story of the personal struggle of artist Xandra Metcalfe with transitioning and dealing with mental … Read more
Ufomammut
Oro: Opus Primum
Neurot Recordings (2012)
Ufomammut are certainly not a new band by any means. The Italian psych-doom trio have been kicking around since the turn of the century and over the past 2 years have managed to catch the eye of Neurosis. The previously noted Neurosis noted their power and signed them to their own label. So now with a proper North American label … Read more
UGK
Underground Kingz
Jive (2007)
It's not easy being a Southern rapper these days. With the airwaves of mainstream radio becoming overcrowded with the "ringtone rap" of such groups as D4L and Dem Franchize Boyz, backpackers and hip-hop purists are quick to point the finger at nearly every rapper south of the Mason-Dixon Line. I guess they forgot about UGK? They've only been in the … Read more
Ulcerate
Stare Into Death and Be Still
Debemur Morti Productions (2020)
Writing this review has been a long time in the making. Usually, sitting down and pressing play is enough to get some words flowing, however, Ulcerate are a unique experience and apparently so is the process of trying to explain why Stare Into Death and Be Still is so, so good. Much time has been spent on consuming the New … Read more
Ulcerate
Vermis
Relapse (2013)
Ulcerate are one of the few bands that can honestly claim to have invented a genre. (Well, a subgenre at any rate.) Blending equal parts atmospheric sludge and technical death metals, the freaky Kiwis sparked a huge following of bands eager to try the same thing. And though they haven't really changed their style much over the years, no one's … Read more
Ultra Dolphins
Mar
Robotic Empire (2006)
Opening up with an old-time accordion intro, you could be forgiven for expecting Ultra Dolphins to play Iron & Wine-esque 'American gothic' folk rock. However, forgiving is probably the last word you could use to describe Richmond's Ultra Dolphins, who play a kind of post-hardcore noise over the thirty minutes Mar lasts. Kicking off properly with "Town Goat," we get … Read more
Ultra Dolphins
Why Are You Laugh
Robotic Empire (2006)
Prior to receiving this album, I was only aware of Ultra Dolphins by name. I'd seen their name plastered on various websites and heard a few mentions from friends of mine. But outside of that, I was clueless to what they were about. Perhaps you are in the same situation right now. Well, then Why Are You Laugh is a … Read more
Ulver
Blood Inside
Jester (2005)
Have you heard the myth about prisoners stubbing out cigarettes into a bucket of water in order to create enough poison to use on their fellow inmates? Evidently, someone slipped a copy of the mastertapes to Ulver's latest sonic delivery into that foul brew as well. Opening with the slow-burning near opera of "Dressed in Black," the stage is thoroughly … Read more
Ulver
Flowers of Evil
House of Mythology (2020)
It’s no secret that Ulver have long since moved on from their black metal past and while the Norwegians have firmly left the harsh, cold winters behind, their music still moves in less than positive circles – at least when it comes to the subject matter. The Ulver of 2020 plays in the pantheon of synth-driven pop, however, the lyrical … Read more
Ulver
Messe I.X - VI.X
Jester (2013)
It has been quite a time since one could easily quantify Ulver and what they do as a unit. Garm has made no secret that he remains generally uninterested in what Ulver began as and remains focussed on following whatever muse may take him. So for the early years when there was an emphasis on Black Metal to the middle … Read more
Ulvtharm
7 Uthras
Cyclic Law (2024)
A pioneer of the extreme ambient scene, Jouni Ollila's work with Mz.412 has been instrumental in tying the dark ambient scene with a black metal perspective. In effect, Ollila has influenced an array of artists from the brutal, dungeon chaos of Abruptum to the horrifying, noise dreams of Gnaw Their Tongues. While Ollila continues to produce dark visions through Mz.412, … Read more
Uma Galera
Viva America
Independent (2019)
Every once in a while I enjoy reviewing something that is out of my comfort zone. Uma Galera is one of those bands. I selected their album for review based on the band photo (just look at them looking happy!) and the first fifteen seconds of “Wai Wai”.Uma Galera plays ska and reggae heavily infused with funk. And that’s where … Read more
Under A Dying Sun
Supernova
Substandard (2003)
Having carved a comfortable niche in the San Francisco Bay Area, by playing shows almost constantly for three or so years, Under A Dying Sun have created an album that breaks away from their original "emocore" sound, which judging by their last full-length, they have clearly out-grown. Instead of rehashing the same, tired, "screamo" formula with heavy melodramatics and melodic … Read more
Under Pressure
Black Bile
Escape Artist (2007)
Apparently, Under Pressure hails from Winnipeg, Canada - former home of the Jets hockey team before they became the Phoenix Coyotes. Black Bile is the latest release for the band following several seven inches, compilation appearances, splits, and full-lengths; an impressive amount of work since their formation in 2003. Still, this is my first exposure to Under Pressure, and it … Read more
Under Pressure
Come Clean
Escape Artist (2007)
Winnipeg's Under Pressure is a dirty 80's sounding hardcore band with a dude singing like he's trying to hold in his bong hit for the longest time while gargling glass. Saying he sounds a little gruff is like saying the people that have smoked Pall Mall Non-Filters for thirty plus years are a little raspy. Musically, the band either goes … Read more
Underground Railroad To Candyland
Knows Your Sins
Recess (2011)
Considering that Underground Railroad to Candyland was formed, in large part, to be a party band, and combining that with the So. Cal. sun that’s been beating down on Todd Congelliere for all these years, it somehow makes sense that URTC has a number of surf elements bubbling through the surface on the band’s sophomore record. Still, surf is only … Read more
Underground Railroad To Candyland
The People Are Home
Recess (2015)
I wasn’t sure what to make of Underground Railroad to Candyland when I first saw them. They were a very new band, but the style was off-kilter and different than what I expected of a Todd Congelliere (Toys That Kill,F.Y.P) band. But along the way it’s clicked, both for me and the band. Where they first seemed slogany and weird, … Read more
