UNCLE SLAM — When God Dies (review)

UNCLE SLAM — When God Dies album cover Album · 1995 · Crossover Thrash Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
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to "Will Work For Food" from 1993 and features one lineup change since the predecessor as drummer Amery AWOL Smith has been replaced by R.J. Herrera (formerly of Suicidal Tendencies).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.
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us