UMUR "Fleshpress" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by Finnish sludge/stoner/doom metal act Fleshpress. The album was originally released on vinyl through Kult of Nihilow in 2002 and was limited to 332 copies. It was re-released on CD in February 2004 through Shifty Records. Fleshpress formed in 1998 and released the "Dilemmantrauma" EP in 2000. Fleshpress features among others the quite prolific Mikko Aspa on drums. He is known for his involvement in acts like Deathspell Omega, Creamface, Clandestine Blaze, and Stabat Mater.

The music on the album is a repetitive and dark form of sludgy doom metal with sparse screaming and rather extreme vocals (sometimes providing the music with a blackened touch). It´s gloomy and depressive (even though a song title like "Jumibian Bongoloid" also suggests that the bandmembers possess some humour), but the occasional 70s blues infused doomy riff pops up from time to time (stoner), making this a more varied release, than what the initial impression might be. The sound production is organic and very "basic". No fancy polish here. The musicianship is decent, and the music is delivered with the right organic touch. The main influence (besides the obvious Black Sabbath reference), is arguably early Eyehategod, and there is a similar sick, dark, and twisted atmosphere to the output of Fleshpress. This is bleak, aggressive, and ultra heavy music.

There´s no doubt that "Fleshpress" is an interesting debut release by Fleshpress, but the repetitive nature of the tracks and the relatively sparse arsenal of stylistic elements, do result in the music becoming slightly tedious at times. I´m sure not all listeners feel this way though, and if you enjoy early 90s sludge this is definitely an album you should give a listen. I´d however recommend the "Dilemmantrauma" EP over this one. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.