UMUR "The Underworld" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Evildead. The album was released through SPV GmbH/Steamhammer in March 1991. It´s the successor to "Annihilation of Civilization" from 1989 and features quite a few lineup changes since the predecessor as guitarist Alber Gonzales has been replaced by Dan Flores, bassist Mel Sanchez has been replaced by Karlos Medina and drummer Rob Alaniz has been replaced by session drummer Doug Clawson.

Like many other thrash metal acts who released their debut albums in the late 80s, Evildead ran into issues with their early 90s sophomore album release. The popularity of thrash metal had seriously diminished in 1991, and many thrash metal acts who didn´t have either a sizable following like some of the bigger act in the genre (Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth), or a particularly dedicated fanbase (Overkill, Testament, Kreator) who could keep them a float during difficult times, folded or went on a longer hiatus, until the popularity of the genre had a new peak in the early- to mid-00s. "The Underworld" would be the band´s last album in their original run as Evildead disbanded in 1995.

Stylistically the material on "The Underworld" continues the US thrash metal style of "Annihilation of Civilization (1989)", still featuring politically charged lyrics, with subjects like global warming and other social and political issues. In addition to the 10 (one is a short intro) original tracks on the album, Evildead also deliver a cover version of "He's a Woman - She's a Man" by the Scorpions. The quality of the original material is decent but there´s little out of the ordinary for the style featured on the album. The Scorpions cover does not bring much to the album.

Compared to the predecessor "The Underworld" features a less powerful and not particularly well sounding production. It´s not a terrible sound production by any means, but it´s not exactly a sound which enhances the music on the album either. The musicianship is relatively strong, but the performance by all involved is sligthly powerless and uninspired. So "The Underworld" ends up being a step down from "Annihilation of Civilization (1989)", and not a sophomore album where Evildead came into their own and conquered the world. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Annihilation of Civilization" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Evildead. The album was released through SPV GmbH/Steamhammer in April 1989. Evildead was formed in 1986. Originally a side-project for the members, it soon evolved into a more permanent band. Evildead released the "Rise Above" EP in 1988 and the five-piece lineup who recorded the EP is intact on "Annihilation of Civilization".

Stylistically this is a prime example of late 80s US thrash metal. Raw staccato delivered vocals, sharp aggressive thrashy riffs and rhythms, blistering guitar solos, and politically charged lyrics featuring subjects like social issues and nuclear fear. The music features both fast-paced and more heavy mid-paced sections. The material on the 12 track, 49:48 minutes long album are well written and effective, but it´s not an album with many standout tracks. The quality and style of the material are consistent throughout.

"Annihilation of Civilization" features a decent sounding production, and the musicianship is strong too, so upon conclusion it´s a relatively high quality thrash metal release from the late part of the 80s. It´s not extraordinary or earth-shatteringly great or anything like that, but it´s a good solid release for fans of the genre. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "United States of Anarchy" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Evildead. The album was released through Steamhammer in October 2020. It´s the successor to "The Underworld" from 1991. Evildead disbanded in 1995, and had a reunion in 2008 which lasted until 2012 where they disbanded again (this period spawned only one recording from the band in the 2011 "Blasphemy Divine" single). Evildead reunited a second time in 2016 and resigned to their former label for the relase of "United States of Anarchy".

Lead vocalist Phil Flores, guitarist Juan Garcia, and bassist Karlos Medina, remain from the lineup who recorded "The Underworld (1991)", while guitarist Albert Gonzales and drummer Rob Alaniz are new in the band.

Stylistically Evildead play an aggressive, mid-to fast-paced type of thrash metal with crossover leanings. Flores sometimes sound very similar to Billy Milano (S.O.D., M.O.D.), and other times like the most raw moments produced by Russ Anderson (Forbidden). Needless to say his voice is strong and his performance powerful and raw. There are loads of riot gang choir vocals throughout the album too. The lyrics are often political in nature. Opening track "The Descending" talks about the unfairness of the US political system and corruption (the line "It just a game to the billionaire" says a lot), while "Napoleon Complex" is aimed directly at former president Donald Trump (at least that´s how I interpret the lyrics).

"United States of Anarchy" is an album loaded with killer thrash metal riffs and new drummer Rob Alaniz is a great asset to the band´s sound. He has a powerful playing style, driving the music forward in an energetic and aggressive fashion. I didn´t sit still one second of the 38:35 minutes long playing time, maybe except for the awkward clean guitar lounge jazz intro to "No Difference", which was completely unneccesary if you ask me. Yeah we now know you can play other styles than thrash metal...now get on with the thrashing!!!

Evildead are an exceptionally well playing band, and they understand how to compose a 3-4 minutes long effective and concise thrash metal tune, designed to make your head bang and your body move (while that´s not the case with the B-52´s cover "Planet Claire 2020", it´s still a great cover song and a nice variation on the album). They excel in both fast-paced thrashing and mid-paced heavy grooves and as "United States of Anarchy" also features a powerful, raw, and detailed sound production, it´s through and through a high quality release and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Rise Above" is an EP release by US, California based thrash metal act Evildead. The EP was recorded and mixed in two days and was released through SPV GmbH/Steamhammer in July 1988. Evildead formed in 1987 and released "The Awakening" demo later in the year. The band was founded by guitarist Juan Garcia, when his former band Agent Steel disbanded.

"Rise Above" features 4 tracks and a full playing time of 11:00 minutes. The title track is a Black Flag cover, and is therefore a hardcore oriented track featuring riot gang vocals. "Run Again" and "Sloe - Death" are original compositions, which both show that Evildead have quite a few tricks up their sleeve. Bay Area influenced thrash metal riffs and rhythms, a flair for melodic guitar themes, but also a more raw crossover thrash metal influence. The latter is also heard in the short closing track "S.T. Riff", which is basically the main riff from "Institutionalized" by Suicidal Tendencies being played.

The EP is well produced, featuring a powerful and detailed sound production, which suits the material well. So upon conclusion "Rise Above" is a promising first label release by Evildead. Only two original compositions are a maybe a couple too few, to really get an idea what Evildead are about, but on the other hand the quality of the release is pretty high throughout and therefore a 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating isn´t all wrong.