UMUR "When God Dies" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US, California based crossover thrash metal act Uncle Slam. The album was released through Medusa Records in January 1995. It´s the successor to "Will Work For Food" from 1993 and features one lineup change since the predecessor as drummer Amery AWOL Smith has been replaced by R.J. Herrera (formerly of Suicidal Tendencies).

Stylistically "When God Dies" is slightly different to "Will Work For Food (1993)". It´s still crossover thrash metal, but this time around with an occasional alternative edge (most audible on the opening title track, which features funk elements). Lead vocalist/guitarist Todd Moyer has changed his vocal approach too from a raw shouting vocal style, to a more melodic semi-raw delivery. It´s probably an aquired taste, but personally I prefered his raw vocals on the predecessor. The basis of the music is still relatively simple thrash/heavy metal riffing and hardcore punk influenced rhythms. It´s seldom as hard edged and sharp as on the previous releases though, and overall "When God Dies" is the band´s least heavy release.

The sound production is relatively well sounding, and the musicianship is decent, but ultimately the impression of the album is that it´s a step down and that the new change in direction isn´t working that well for the band. It´s not a bad quality release by any means though, and there are some pretty strong material on the album although highlights are few and far between. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Will Work For Food" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, California based crossover thrash metal act Uncle Slam. The album was released through Restless Records in January 1993. It´s been almost 5 years since the release of the band´s debut full-length studio album "Say Uncle (1988)". The three-piece lineup who recorded the debut album is intact on "Will Work For Food": Todd Moyer (vocals, guitars), Simon Oliver (bass, backing vocals), and Amery AWOL Smith (drums, percussion, backing vocals). While it may appear that there have been no lineup changes in the period between the two album releases, Simon Oliver was actually out of the band from 1988-1991 and in that period first Louie Mayorga (Los Cycos, Suicidal Tendencies) and then Angelo Espino (Bitch, Heretic) took over the bass duties.

Stylistically the material on "Will Work For Food" is a slightly more mature and thrashy continuation of the crossover thrash metal style of "Say Uncle (1988)". The powerful and raw sound production makes the music sound sharp, heavy, and aggressive, and it´s a clear upgrade from the less powerful sound of the predecessor. Todd Moyer has a raw sandpaper delivery, and the tracks feature one raw and powerful riff after another. While Uncle Slam don´t sound exactly like their contemporaries (at least not in a clone type way) they do belong the the same crossover thrash metal school as artists like Suicidal Tendencies, Beowülf, and Excel.

The material on the 11 track, 40:33 minutes long album is well written and quite effective. It´s hard edged, aggressive, and raw. Raw lead vocals, riot gang shouting backing vocals, fast- and mid-paced heavy riffs and rhythms, and a generally healthy focus on cathiness. You don´t have to listen to the album many times to be able to sing along to most of the tracks (at least the chorus parts). Tracks like "Hangin' In The Hood", the title track, and the rather unconventional but really great cover of "Dazed & Confused" by Led Zeppelin, are some of the highlights on the album, but there are only few unremarkable tracks on the album, and it´s overall a pretty strong release.

It´s not perfect though, and while the sound production is mostly of a good quality, it does feel like a bit of an odd choice to put an effect on the vocals, to make them sound like they were recorded in an empty bathroom. The drums could have featured a slightly more organic sound too, but other than those minor sound related issues, "Will Work For Food" is a relatively well sounding release. It´s not groundbreaking within its genre (considering this was released in 1993, the crossover thrash metal scene wasn´t exactly experiencing its heyday), and you won´t hear anything here, you haven´t heard before, but it´s a solid release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is definitely deserved, and may even be a bit too low.

UMUR "Say Uncle" is the debut full-length studio album by US crossover thrash metal act Uncle Slam. The album was released through Caroline Records in February 1988. Uncle Slam was formed in 1987 and featured, in it´s earliest incarnation, former Suicical Tendencies bassist Louiche Mayorga. "Say Uncle" was recorded by the trio of Todd Moyer (guitars, vocals), Simon Oliver (bass) and Amery Smith (drums).

...the link to Suicical Tendencies is undeniable though, as Uncle Slam play a somewhat similar styled crossover thrash metal as Suicical Tendencies did in the mid-eighties. It´s charming and humourous but also loaded with social/political commentary. The playing is tight, aggressive and energetic and there are enough variation between tracks to easily tell them apart. A track like the funky "Micro Logic" does stand out as out of the ordinary though. One of the things I noticed and want to mention as an asset to the album is the lead guitar work. Todd Moyer is actually quite a skilled guitarist and the fact that he occasionally plays solos and other melodic themes are a great contributor to the variation on the album. His vocals are delivered with attitude and conviction too, but the other guys in the band are also really well playing and contribute a lot to the sound too. Especially drummer Amery Smith has a really great delivery and drumming style.

In addition to the above "Say Uncle" features a really well sounding and powerful sound production that suits the music perfectly. As a representation of "classic" US croosover on the thrashy side I think "Say Uncle" is a good example. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.