UMUR
"A Higher Form of Killing" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US thrash metal act Intruder. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in August 1989. Intruder was formed in 1984 (under the Transgresser monicker) and released a couple of demos before releasing their debut full-length studio album "Live to Die" in 1987. There´s been one lineup change since the debut album as the band have added a second guitarist to the lineup in Greg Messick.
Musically Intruder have developed their original raw thrash/speed metal sound towards a more straight US, Bay Area influenced thrash metal style. I´m often reminded of Forbidden, because of how Jimmy Hamilton delivers his vocals in both straccato raw thrash metal style but also with a more singing type delivery. Joey Belladonna from Anthrax is another vocal reference. Hamilton has a powerful voice, but his singing abilities are of varied quality, or maybe it´s the rather monotone song melodies, which doesn´t always work wonders. As a result I often find myself thinking that the vocals are a distraction from the otherwise very well played and powerful instrumental part of the music. These guys are a tight playing unit, and you´ll be treated to fast played- and more heavy thrashy riffing, very well played guitar solos, and a powerful rhythmic assault.
The material is generally well written for the style, but again the vocal melodies could have been developed upon, to make them more memorable, and the tracks could also have featured more instrumental hooks. Quite a few of the tracks just pass by and you don´t even notice when the next one starts, so there´s definitely an issue with the tracks sounding a bit too much the same. The cover of "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone" by the Monkees is not surprisingly quite different sounding to the rest of the tracks though.
"A Higher Form of Killing" is well produced featuring a powerful and clear sound, which suits the music perfectly. So upon conclusion the album is a bit of a mixed bag, but quality wise I´d still say that a 3.5 star (70%) rating isn´t all wrong, despite a few issues with the vocals and the vocal melodies and the fact that some tracks aren´t that memorable.