UMUR "A Game You Cannot Win" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US thrash/power metal act Heretic. The album was released through Dissonance Productions in October 2017. It´s the successor to "A Time of Crisis" from 2012 and features one lineup change since the predecessor as guitarist Glenn Rogers has been replaced by Stuart Fujinami. Heretic formed in 1985 but after releasing their debut full-length studio album "Breaking Point" in 1988 they disbanded. "A Time of Crisis (2012)" was therefore Heretic´s first album in 24 years, and "A Game You Cannot Win" is the proof that the 2012 comeback album wasn´t a lonely swan.

Stylistically the material on "A Game You Cannot Win" continues the thrash metal with US power metal style the band also played on "A Time of Crisis (2012)". The material is predominantly on the more raw and thrashy side, but there are moments where the US power metal style takes over and especially Metal Church is a valid reference. As said this is mostly a thrash metal release though. Meaty heavy riffs, faster-paced thrashy riffs, and the occasional more traditional heavy metal riff. Pounding heavy drumming and a lead vocalist delivering raw (yet semi-melodic) commanding singing.

The musicianship is on a high level on all posts and "A Game You Cannot Win" also features a powerful, raw, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well. So upon conclusion it´s a high quality release by Heretic. It´s not a revolution of the thrash/US power metal hybrid style and Heretic lack that last element of uniqueness to be counted among the greatest artists in the genre, but for fans of the genre this is definitely a worthy purchase. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.