UMUR "Behind the Mourner's Veil" is an EP release by US metal act Deceased. The EP was released through Relapse Records in July 2001. It bridges the gap between the band´s 4th and 5th full-length studio albums "Supernatural Addiction (2000)" and "Rotten To The Core (2004)". The EP features 3 new original tracks and 4 covers of D.R.I., Tankard, Anthrax, and Warfare.

Stylistically the 7 tracks on the 28:02 minutes long EP (which in addition to the audio tracks also features a bonus video for "Elly's Dementia") continue the death/thrash/speed/traditional heavy metal style of "Supernatural Addiction (2000)", but the powerful and raw sound production boosts the music and makes it more aggressive and brutal, and "Behind the Mourner's Veil" is the band´s most hard edged death/thrash tinged release since the "The 13 Frightened Souls" EP from 1993. Lead vocalist/drummer King Fowley has a raw voice and an intelligible aggressive delivery. Although the music features death metal traits, he is not really a death metal growler, but just a really raw sounding singer.

Deceased have a great organic way of playing their music and there is a charm to that, which couldn´t have been achieved if the sound production had been of the digital kind. The material on the EP are well written and as the tracks feature elements from both death, thrash, speed, and traditional heavy metal, they are fairly varied too. The short "Reaganomics" cover by D.R.I. is a hardcore punk/crossover type track, so Deceased also shortly venture into that territory. Other standout tracks are the EP opener "It´s Alive!", the speed/traditional heavy metal track "Deathrider" (Anthrax cover), and the closing 10 minutes long "Victims of the Masterplan, Parts I-V". As always the lyrics/image are predominantly horror/gore themed on the original material.

Upon conclusion "Behind the Mourner's Veil" is an EP release you don´t want to miss if you´re a fan of the two preceding album releases. The quality is high throughout both regarding sound production, musicianship, and songwriting (the covers are great too), and a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.