Only six editions in, the contest, following a sudden boost in popularity, had its first big renewal. A semifinal was introduced, and the concepts of qualification and elimination took prevalence. Due to the results of NSC 5, Ugaly, still a fresh name and on our third attempt, had to begin the edition in this new semifinal (and eventually literally begun the semifinal). Selection-wise, the new rules had no effect on the nation, but we nevertheless decided to try a different approach. Knowing our metal reputation was already firmly established, we wanted to show the rest of NSC that Ugaly's not all about rock, we're actually very open to most musical styles out there. So in a good contradictory manner, we put Iron Maiden in the national final... but with
an acoustic song! Iron Maiden aside however (they have more important roles to come later in the story), plus an alleged participation from a madman we're just as well off not mentioning, the only participant of the national final that Ugaly was realistically considering was this trip-hop duo from the United Kingdom.
Mono and their one-hit-wonder
Life in Mono, best known from the soundtrack of the 1998 film adaption of
Great Expectations, had a long history of popularity in Ugaly, with a beautiful melody that's bound to melt the coldest of hearts. At the contest, this didn't really show, as the duo didn't manage to put Ugaly through to a final. Metal is a polarizing style, so those earlier two results were understandable, but we've refused to acknowledge anything different than the heart-melting claim. We like to believe that
Life in Mono was too far ahead of its time, the audience wasn't ready, especially not in the dawn of semifinals and against the heavy artillery that other nations used to assure their first qualification. Regardless, at a joint seventeenth place and 69 points received, Ugaly was really upping their game, and excitedly so. Another edition was coming up, and the nation still knew it had a lot to give.
