UGLY CLUB – “EAT YOURSELF ALIVE” single review

Nearly 2 weeks ago, we spoke to Imogen, lead singer of the Manchester-via-Blackburn nu metal outfit, UGLY CLUB and we were absolutely excited to hear they would be releasing their newest single “EAT YOURSELF ALIVE” on 23^rd of October. Well, the track has been out for a couple of days now and it’s been playing on repeat on our playlist ever since. If you like independent bands, female vocals, progressive attitude to life, heavy guitars and a lot of rhythm, UGLY CLUB is your club. With sensational reviews from Alyx at BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! Magazine, the group is back with new music, new members and new vitality to perform.

Official bio: WHO ARETHEY? UGLY CLUB take the parts people try to hide and throw them straight into the spotlight. A movement for misfits and underdogs who don’t quite fit the mould. This has already earned them a loyal fanbase that flock to shows, buy merch and engage within their Patreon community. Selected as 2026 Factory Sounds Artist in association with Adidas, they’re messy and unapologetically loud. With industrial grit and arena sized ambition, their sound fuses authentic rock and an air of nostalgia with edgy modem production. A sound that fits a lineup with the likes of Yonaka, Cassyette and Bones UK. Their live shows are confrontational and euphoric. The kind that leaves rooms changed. From 100 capacity basement shows in Manchester to big festival stages, UGLY CLUB have captured audiences across the UK and Europe. Their undeniably captivating sound has even made its way onto Bring Me The Horizons stadium pre-show playlist!

If you are hearing the name for the first time, please know that UGLY CLUB are not debutantes. The group, first as a trio, now a quartet, have been going on for a better part of the decade. They have played at Isle of Wight, Truck Festival, Tramlines, Download, Y Not Festival, Alternative Escape and toured the UK. Since 2023, they have released 6 singles and a full fledged debut album “Wendy’s Waiting Room”, which we reviewed nearly exactly 2 years to the date, on 19^th of November 2024. It’s an amazing release, still very relevant lyrics wise, your home work is to go and listen to it. You can thank us later.

“EAT YOURSELF ALIVE” is the first single the band is putting out after a longer break. And you know, that break gave the UGLY CLUB a much needed boost. They are coming back with so much energy, such infectious zest to play live and incredibly positive attitude, it’s simply irresistible. The song stands at 3 minutes and 13 seconds and those were the best 3 minutes in a long time when I heard the song for the first time. It has everything that a proper banger needs: great melody, killer vocals, ass kicking drums, tempo changes, and dirty guitars. It has been described as a nu metal track with an alternative edge, but I hear post grunge, post punk and alternative metal influences in it as well. Kind of Korn meeting Within Temptation, minus Sharon den Adel of course, as UGLY CLUB’s Imogen is a different type of vocalist. Sharon is a lyrical mezzo soprano, quite airy and ethereal in her timbre, Imogen has a powerful, rich and full bodied tone and can go very low if she wants to. I’m actually wondering if she is an alto, but then again, she reaches higher registers without an issue in her other songs.

“EAT YOURSELF ALIVE” heralds the arrival of UGLY CLUB’s 4 track EP titled “Can I be Happy When The World Is Burning?” that is scheduled for release in February 2027. “‘This song is an immediate explosion of rage when you see something that feels so unfair” – writes the band in their social media posts – “it is so beyond belief, so completely void of logic that all you can do is scream into the ether. It’s for anyone who has ever thought “WTF AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL THIS ANGER??” It was recorded at UGLY CLUB’s own studio, ClubHaus and engineered by band’s guitarist, James “Ducky” Duckworth. The track was then mastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Studios and mixed by Al Groves at Motor Museum Studios. It is being distributed by Earache Records.

“EAT YOURSELF ALIVE” is our track of the month. Highly recommended!