UMUR "Paranormal" is the fourth demo recording (if you discount the "Live Karnage" demo tape) by Canadian thrash metal act Slaughter. The demo was independently released in 1988 and follows the release of the band´s 1987 debut full-length studio album "Strappado". The band have added second guitarist Bobby Sadzak to the ranks, making Slaughter a quartet on "Paranormal".

It´s a professionally recorded demo and it was actually meant to be released as Slaughter´s second full-length studio album, but as bassist/vocalist Terry Sadler left, the remaining members disbanded Slaughter and subsequently changed the band name to Strappado (by that point only Hewson and Sadzak remained), which meant they didn´t want to release the material they had recorded as a Slaughter album. Quite a few of the tracks from "Paranormal" would be re-recorded and included on Strappado´s 1991 debut full-length studio album "Not Dead Yet".

Stylistically this sounds very much like the natural successor to "Strappado". It features a similar raw, dark, and aggressive thrash metal style, but Slaughter have developed their style just enough not to stagnate which means that "Paranormal" features more riffs and a slightly more technical approach to playing, which to my ears becomes Slaughter well. Other than that fans of "Strappado" should of course get their hands on this demo. It´s both well produced, well performed, and features relatively memorable songwriting. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.