UMUR "Skull Fracturing Nightmare" is the first demo released by US thrash metal act Demolition Hammer. The demo was released in February 1988. At this point the band were a three-piece consisting of James Reilly on guitars/lead & riot vocals, Steve Reynolds on Bass/Lead & Riot Vocals and John Salerno on Drums. Steve Reynolds would eventually become the band´s sole lead vocalist, but on this demo the lead vocal duties are shared between him and James Reilly who sing lead on two tracks each.

The music on "Skull Fracturing Nightmare" is aggressive thrash metal on the brutal side. The playing is fast, tight, fierce and Demolition Hammer generally take no prisoners. Out of the two vocalists I prefer Steve Reynolds. He has the right rabid dog sneering for the music. The band´s trademark riot vocals are present on this demo too providing a slight touch of hardcore to the sound. There are four tracks on the 15:09 minutes long demo. Only "Cataclysm" made it unto the band´s debut full-length studio album "Tortured Existence (1990)" albeit in a shorter and more tight version. The sound production is very good considering that this is a demo.

"Skull Fracturing Nightmare" is a promising demo release and it´s obvious these guys were on to something special already this early on. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.