UMUR "Gammacide 91" is a demo release by US, Arlington, Texas based thrash metal act Gammacide. The demo was independently released in 1991. Unlike most demos, this one was released after Gammacide had released their debut full-length studio album "Victims of Science" through Wild Rags Records in 1989. Unfortunately Gammacide didn´t have a label deal for their second album, and therefore had to record a demo, which they originally only send to press and labels. They didn´t succeed though and disbanded in 1992. The four tracks from this demo are now available as bonus material on the 2005 CD reissue of "Victims of Science".

If you´re familiar with the raw, aggressive, at occasionally rather brutal type of thrash metal Gammacide played on "Victims of Science", the sound and musical style on the four tracks on the 20:03 minutes long demo won´t be a surprise, as it´s more or less a continuation of said sound and style. The sound production is a bit more dark, but no less professional than on the debut album, and the music is just as furiously fast-paced and aggressive. The tracks are slightly longer than on the debut album, and the extra playing time provides them with a bit more room for variation, although that´s a relative term when speaking of Gammacide.

It´s a high quality demo through and through. High level musicianship, a well sounding organic production, and a clearly defined songwriting style, which is slightly one-dimensional, but very effective and delivered with great passion. As the case was on "Victims of Science", lead vocalist Varnam Ponville has a voice and delivery, which is probably and aquired taste, and his singing style drags my rating down sligthly, but it´s not because he can´t sing, or doesn´t deliver his vocals with passion, it´s a matter of voice and singing style. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Victims of Science" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Arlington, Texas based thrash metal act Gammacide. The album was released through Wild Rags Records in 1989. "Victims of Science" turned out to be the sole album release by Gammacide although they did release a 4 track demo in 1991, which is featured as bonus material on the 2005 CD reissue of "Victims of Science". That demo (which was originally only available to press and record labels) unfortunately didn´t get them a new label deal, and as a result they disbanded in 1992. They reunited shortly in 2004, and recorded two new tracks, which are also included on the 2005 CD reissue. So while the original album release featured 9 tracks, the reissue features 15 tracks.

Gammacide plays a furiously fast-paced and aggressive thrash metal style not completely unlike the sound found on albums like "Reign in Blood (1986)" by Slayer and "Darkness Descends (1986)" by Dark Angel. Fellow Texans in Devastation is another valid reference. So this is basically very raw, aggressive, and occasionally even brutal thrash metal played with great skill and conviction. Lead vocalist Varnam Ponville has a raw and passionate delivery, but it´s also slightly one-dimensional, and if I have to point out a minor issue it would be his voice and type of delivery. The lyrics are your typical social/political/environmental issues themed lyrics, so no surprises there.

The material isn´t especially varied, neither within or between tracks. Fast-paced thrashy rhythms, razor sharp riffs, screaming chromatic solos, and the occasional mid-paced breakdown. Nothing out of the ordinary for this type of music, but it´s the delivery, the razor sharp yet organic sound production, and some of the killer riffs, that sets "Victims of Science" apart from more standard quality releases in the genre. The relentless aggression is mosh inducing, and it´s impossible to sit still while this album is playing. Tracks like "Fossilized" and "Gutter Rats" are simply crushing, and the same can be said about most of the material on the album.

So if you enjoy some of the above mentioned albums/artists, I can highly recommend "Victims of Science". The bonus material on the reissue version makes a purchase of that version of the album more than worth it, as it´s of an equally high quality as the original album material. It´s not everyday you come across a thrash metal release of this high quality, and while the vocals drag my rating down a bit, I still think a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.