Budgie
's fourth release,
In for the Kill!
(originally on
MCA
), confirmed their consistent
metal
songwriting. Like past releases, the album features huge
riffs courtesy of guitarist
Tony Bourge
and wailing vocals from bassist
Burke Shelley
.
"Crash Course in Brain Surgery"
(their second song to be covered by
Metallica
) contains a repetitive and continuous riff, while
"Zoom Club"
stresses the importance of the almighty power chord. The title track (rumored to have been covered by
Van Halen
back in their club days) is
at its most vibrant, while the group balances the album by including a
folk
number with
Beatles
-like vocal harmonies (
"Wondering What Everyone Knows"
).
"Living on Your Own"
continues the band's tradition of lengthy closing numbers, ending another sadly overlooked album from this British band. Along with their first three albums (
,
Squawk
, and
Never Turn Your Back on a Friend
),
is a robust collection of important (and, for its time, trailblazing)
heavy metal
. ~ Greg Prato