UMUR "Savor the Flavor" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, California based heavy metal/rock act The Organization. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in May 1995. The Organization was formed in 1991 after Death Angel disbanded, and features four out of five members of Death Angel. The only member of Death Angel who didn´t continue in The Organization, was lead vocalist Mark Osegueda. Guitarist Rob Cavestany took over the lead vocal duties in addition to playing guitar and The Organization was therefore a four-piece consisting of Rob Cavestany (vocals, guitar), Gus Pepa (guitars), Dennis Pepa (bass), and Andy Galeon (drums, backing vocals). The Organization released a relatively well received self-titled debut album in 1993 and then "Savor the Flavor" before changing their name to Swarm. Death Angel reunited in 2001 (with Mark Osegueda in front).

The 1993 eponymously titled debut album featured a melodic heavy metal style with the rare nod towards the thrash metal past of Death Angel, so ultimately The Organization didn´t sound that much like a continuation of Death Angel. At least not if you expected a more pure thrash metal sound. "Savor the Flavor" features and even more melodic and softer heavy metal/rock sound than its predecessor, and at this point the thrash metal leanings are completely gone from the band´s sound. "Savor the Flavor" is often closer to sounding like early 90s alternative rock, than to anything resembling heavy/thrash metal. There´s a lot of funky rhythms in the music too and the music is generally energetic and easily accessible.

The musicianship is strong, which isn´t surprising if you´re familiar with the high level musicianship of all involved on the Death Angel releases of the past and on the debut album by The Organization. Rob Cavestany is technically a skilled enough singer, but he hasn´t got the most distinct sounding nor the most strong voice out there. As a consequence the vocal part of the album is a bit lacking in power and conviction, and since not all tracks are that memorable either, the listening experience is a bit up and down in quality. The album soon feels a bit long and my attention often wanders because the hooks aren´t strong enough to maintain my interest for the duration of the 12 track, 46:47 minutes long album.

So unfortunately "softening" their sound (among other things) has made "Savor the Flavor" a much less interesting release than the band´s debut album, which did feature some pretty decent material. "Savor the Flavor" is not as such a bad release but it is pretty unspectacular alternative rock/metal, which I´d say I´ve heard before and much better too. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "The Organization" is the self-titled debut full-length studio album by US alternative heavy metal act The Organization. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in 1993. The Organization were formed when Death Angel disbanded in 1991 after lead vocalist Mark Osegueda left to go to college. The four remaining members decided to drop the Death Angel name and formed The Organization. Rob Cavestany took over the vocal duties in addition to playing guitar. The Organization were a rather shortlived act though and disbanded in 1995 as a consequence of bassist Dennis Pepa leaving. They released this debut album and "Savor the Flavor (1995)" before splitting up.

Death Angel´s take on thrash metal were always a bit different and sligthly more melodic than most of their contemporaries, but the music style on "The Organization" is nevertheless a bit surprising. There are only few nods back to their thrash metal roots and instead we´re presented to a more catchy and accessible alternative heavy metal style. There are some funky traits here and there that remind me of Mordred and Infectious Grooves (and even a few nods toward early Alice in Chains), but The Organization have a relatively original style and that´s of course always admirable. If you are familiar with Death Angel it´s no surprise that The Organization are a very well playing act, and Rob Cavestany proves to be a rather skilled vocalist with a pleasant voice. There is an uplifting rocking spirit in the music that´s very enjoyable and it´s obvious the band have tried to distance themselves from their musical past (start fresh so to speak) and fully succeed in doing so. The professional and powerful sound production is another asset that help bring out the best in the music.

The quality of the material is consistent throughout and while the songwriting might lack that final lasting memorability factor that could have pushed the album to a higher level, "The Organization" is through and through a strong release. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.