UMUR "Swine Plague" is the 6th full-length studio album by Dutch death/thrash metal act Dead Head. The album was released through Hammerheart Records in June 2017. It´s the successor to "Depression Tank" from 2009, so it´s been 8 years since the last studio album release by the band. Dead Head have never been known as the most prolific act, when it comes to output frequency, and six albums since forming in 1989 really isn´t much, but Dead Head have always been uncompromising that way, and have only released albums, when they felt the time was right and they had written enough quality material. There´s been one lineup change since the predecessor as lead vocalist/bassist Ralph de Boer has been replaced by a returning Tom van Dijk. van Dijk was the lead vocalist/bassist on the band´s first four studio albums, but did not appear on "Depression Tank (2009)".

Stylistically "Swine Plague" sounds unmistakably like Dead Head. Predominantly fast-paced and aggressive death/thrash with a rabid dog snarling vocalist in front. The quality of the material is generally high although not all tracks are equally memorable. It´s the frenetic intensity of the performances and the caustic aggression which are the real assets here though, and on those parameters Dead Head deliver one hell of a show. One relentlessly aggressive thrash metal track after another is what the listener is exposed to.

"Swine Plague" features a clear, powerful, and heavy sound production, which suits the material perfectly, and upon conclusion it´s another quality death/thrash release by Dead Head. "Depression Tank (2009)" was a real treat and one of the band´s best releases, and to my ears "Swine Plague" doesn´t quite reach those standards, but it´s close. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.