UMUR "Cause for Conflict" is the 7th full-length studio album by German thrash/heavy metal act Kreator. The album was released through GUN Records in August 1995. It´s the successor to "Renewal" from 1992, which was an album, where Kreator experimented with their sound, and which ended up being a bit of a fanbase divider. Since the release of "Renewal (1992)" there have been two lineup changes as original drummer Jurgen "Ventor" Reil and original bassist Rob Fioretti have left the band and have been replaced by Joe Cangelosi and Christian Giesler. The two remaining members of the lineup are guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik (this would be his last album with Kreator) and guitarist/lead vocalist and only remaining original member Miland "Mille" Petrozza.

Compared to the atmospheric "Renewal (1992)", the material on "Cause for Conflict" is generally much harder edged and thrash metal oriented, although Kreator occasionally continue the more atmospheric songwriting approach and the rare flirt with industrial elements. "Cause for Conflict" is predominantly a raw and aggressive release though, and tracks like "Catholic Despot" and "Bomb Threat" take no prisoners. As mentioned there are still some atmospheric moments on the album, and the closing track "Isolation" is the best example of that. It´s actually quite the brilliant track, which shows Kreator expanding the boundaries of their sound. Petrozza even sings semi-clean on parts of the track. His vocals on "Cause for Conflict" otherwise continue the raw shouting approach he initiated on "Renewal (1992)", so he has not returned to his rabid dog snarl of the early releases.

In the same breath it should be mentioned here that even though "Cause for Conflict" is predominantly a raw and thrash metal oriented release, it sounds very little like the early releases of the band. The powerful sound production, the playing style, and the songwriting approach have a contemporary 90s sound to them, and "Cause for Conflict" is not necessarily and album which will please fans of the early releases of the band.

Upon conclusion "Cause for Conflict" is the next natural step for Kreator. They took the critigue of the more melodic and atmospheric songwriting approach on "Renewal (1992)" to heart, and they returned to a more hard edged thrashy sound. But they didn´t return to their roots but instead opted to continue to develop and experiment with their sound. Although "Cause for Conflict" is not often mentioned among the band´s best releases (it´s actually often completely overlooked when discussing the band), it´s a high quality release to my ears. It´s angry, powerful, and loaded with fierce political themed lyrics (not always the most well written or subtle lyrics, but Kreator sure know how to make a statement) and a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.