UMUR "Solstice" is the self-titled debut full-length studio album by US death/thrash metal act Solstice. The album was released through Steamhammer Records in 1992. Solstice featured among others a couple of rather prolific musicians in vocalist/guitarist Rob Barret (Malevolent Creation, Cannibal Corpse) and drummer Alex Marquez (Malevolent Creation).

The music on the album is a rather brutal take on thrash metal. Call it death/thrash if you will. Artists like Demolition Hammer and Malevolent Creation are valid references. Rob Barret sings in a semi-growling and intelligible vocal style. His style is slightly one-dimensional but no less effective because of that. The tracks are aggressive, powerful, raw and technically well played. The tracks are loaded with breaks and other intriguing drumming details which isn´t surprising if you are familiar with the very skilled and fast playing Alex Marquez. The Carnivore cover "S.M.D." (yes that´s short for "Suck My Dick") doesn´t exactly make my blood boil, but the original material on the album is of high quality albeit seldom really excellent.

"Solstice" is overall a good debut album, and while I don´t join the choir that call this is a forgotten "classic", a 3.5 star (70%) rating is fully deserved.