UMUR "Nightstalker" is an EP release by US, Illinois based death/thrash/grindcore act Macabre. The EP was released in 1993 through Relapse Records. It bridges the gap between the band´s debut- and sophomore full-length studio albums "Gloom" (1989, Vinyl Solution) and "Sinister Slaughter" (April 1993, Nuclear Blast) and features five tracks which would all be re-recorded and slightly re-arranged on the album (in the case of "Zodiac" it would be extended by several minutes).

I´m not sure if this recording was a demo of some of the material from "Sinister Slaughter", which Relapse Records opted to release, but there´s certainly a raw demo quality to the performances and the sound (although this isn´t too primitive sounding to enjoy). "Zodiac" is only 0:25 minutes long and although you recognise the song from "Sinister Slaughter", it´s such a short and unfinished version, that it´s more or less just there. The remaining four tracks are early versions of "Nightstalker", "Is It Soup Yet?", "Sniper in the Sky", and "What the Hell Did You Do?! (James E. Pough)". All delivered in raw, intense, and delightfully aggressive versions featuring lead vocalist Corporate Death snarling, growling, and screaming his high pitched crazy vocals while being complimented by the deep growling of bassist Nefarious.

I always thought this was just a teaser release to "Sinister Slaughter", featuring the same versions of the songs from the album, but these versions are different and more unpolished, savage, and vile, than the re-recorded versions, and "Nightstalker" is therefore definitely a worthwhile release for fans of Macabre. It´s only 6:58 minutes long, but this is a prime example of quality over quantity. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.