Usurper

Closing out the U bands with some Usurper. Hailing from Chicago, Usurper flew under the metal radar but did have a cult following. Their first two releases are considered underground favorites. However I'm going to go with their third LP 'Necronemesis'. Released on the now defunct Necropolis label, the album is a mix of American black and thrash metal, tinged with a bit of sludge. The album also features guest vocals from none other than King Diamond on the title track. The band kinda faded into the underground after this release, only managing to release another two album before calling it a day in 07. While maybe not on par with the earlier albums 'Necronemesis' is still a solid record worth listening to.

I got into this band via a story that revolved around King Diamond. 'Necronemesis' came out in 2000, the same time as King Diamond's 'House Of God'. As luck with have it both bands were booked in the same studio at the time. King needed a bit more time to finish up the record and in exchange he agreed to do a guest vocal spot on Usurper's record. In the end it worked out. King hasn't done too many guest vocal spots, so that alone was enough to get me to listen to the band. Sometimes you find bands in the most bizarre ways.

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