Review
Mad Brother Ward
Ugly Life

Ruined Records (2022) Christopher D

Mad Brother Ward – Ugly Life cover artwork
Mad Brother Ward – Ugly Life — Ruined Records, 2022

Snarling, savage, sneering rabid dog on a thick chain lunging towards your soft neck in the area of your throbbing jugular. Spittle flies from the mouth of Mad Brother Ward as he foams and drools his venomous proclamation of an Ugly Life/I Just Wanna Die.

For fans of Antiseen (Mad Brother Ward is the current guitarist), Confederacy of Scum, and GG Allin without the poop will find solace in this one-sided etched blue single. However, let's not pigeonhole Mad Brother into a stereotypical label because he certainly is not a one-trick pony. This is a blistering two-song single that once the needle is pushed into the groove it comes ripping out of your speakers like a three-headed Cerberus guarding the underworld; allowing your pencil necked whiney ass to enter Lucifers furnace and thus never allowing you to claw your way out of the internal pit of doom. Dark eh!?

Remember when punk was offensive to some and dangerous to others and quick, fast, and wham bam thank you, ma’am. Well, step right up and sing me the songs of yesteryear, turn back the hands of time for Cher, and let Mad Brother Ward bring you back on that eternal, puke encrusted Merry Go Round and Round and Round…. Forever! Punk Rock that can grab you by the gonads and tug and tug until they become meaty morsels for the hungry beaten dog on the thick chain.

Perhaps this is an oeuvre for a future full-length release. Desperate times call for desperate measures and perhaps now is the time for a no holds barred, tag team, donut twisting, spine cracking piledriver. The future may look bleak and this may be the battle cry for the end of the world (hope not!). Kaboom..the future is now!.
 

Mad Brother Ward – Ugly Life cover artwork
Mad Brother Ward – Ugly Life — Ruined Records, 2022

Recently-posted album reviews

Rufio

From The Outside
Double Felix Records, Double Helix Records (2026)

“Rufio?! Like from back in the day Rufio?” Those were the words out of my mouth while claiming my next review. I wore out Perhaps, I Suppose as a teenager and my curiosity piqued. It has been 25 years since that album was released and 16 years since we have heard from Rufio at all. Regardless of these facts, we … Read more

Oddfellows

Oddfellows
Dirtnap, Wild Honey Records (2026)

The self-titled album from Oddfellows was a long time coming. As in, the band formed in 1994. Now in 2026, they return with founding members Chris Pulliam, Mark Ryan, and Mike Throneberry, plus new addition Peter Salisbury to release their debut album just 32 years later. This lineup means you're going to get a Marked Men reference right away, but … Read more

Cel Ray

Cel Rayzer
Exploding In Sound Records (2026)

I don’t remember how, but I stumbled across Chicago’s Cel Ray in 2023 on the heels of their debut EP, Cellular Raymond. I was immediately hooked. After another EP and a single, the band finally brings us their debut long player, Cel Rayzer. To no surprise, it’s excellent. Cel Ray plays a brand of post-punk that’s lo-fi and streamlined. Singer … Read more