UMUR "The Essence" is an EP release by US, Florida based death metal act Eulogy. The EP was released through Cenotaph Records in 1993. Eulogy was formed in 1989 and was part of the early Florida death metal scene. History has not been kind to them though and there are probably not many listeners who recognise their name or think of Eulogy, when other bigger Florida based death metal acts like Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Deicide are mentioned. Eulogy did spawn quite a few prolific Florida scene musicians though. Musicians who went on to play in acts like Monstrosity, Brutality, and Massacre (...among others). "The Essence" is Eulogy´s only official release (other than demos and a semi-official live album from 1993).

The music on the 4 track, 18:52 minutes long demo is US death metal done the Florida way. It´s generally in the more technical end of the Florida death metal scale and acts like Death and Gorguts (yes I know they are Canadian) come to mind. All tracks except for the title track are pretty standard for the genre. Brutal yet intelligible growling vocals, a high technical level of playing, and a meaty brutal sound production. The title track is slightly different from the other tracks on the EP because it features female operatic vocals, which wasn´t as normal in death metal back then as it is today.

All in all "The Essence" gives the listener a pretty good idea of Eulogy´s sound and vision and while I don´t think the band´s music is wildly original (despite the use of female vocals on the title track) or especially distinct sounding, "The Essence" is still a quality death metal release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.