UMUR "In the Light of Darkness" is the 3rd full-length studio album by Swedish death/black metal act Unanimated. The album was released through Regain Records in April 2009. Unanimated was formed in 1988 and released two studio albums before disbanding in 1996. They reunited in 2007 with almost the same lineup as the one who recorded their second full-length studio album "Ancient God of Evil" from 1995. The only lineup change is that guitarist Jonas Mellberg isn´t part of the reunited lineup. He hasn´t been replaced here and therefore "In the Light of Darkness" was recorded by the four-piece Micke Jansson (vocals), Peter Stjärnvind (drums, additional guitars), Richard Cabeza (bass), and Johan Bohlin (guitars). The album features several guest lead guitar performances.

Stylistically it´s like Unanimated were never gone. It may have been 14 years since the release of "Ancient God of Evil (1995)", but "In the Light of Darkness" sounds like the natural successor to the 1995 release, and we´re therefore still treated to melodic black/death metal. Artists like Dissection and especially Necrophobic are valid references. Unanimated were pioneers of this style, and it´s audible when listening to "In the Light of Darkness" that we´re dealing with seasoned musicians/composers.

The material on the 10 track, 45:47 minutes long album is powerful, raw, and quite often features a majestic atmosphere (the occasional Scandinavian folk tinged melancholic melodies are also a feature in the music). Melodic lead guitar themes, varied rhythms, both fast-paced tremolo picking and heavier riff types, and a raw and passionate raspy black metal type vocal delivery on top. The blasphemous/occult lyric themes perfectly compliment the rest of the music. "In the Light of Darkness" is well produced too, and upon conclusion it´s a strong comeback release by Unanimated. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Ancient God of Evil" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Swedish death metal act Unanimated. The album was released through No Fashion Records in March 1995. Unanimated is one of the most prolific acts on the blackened part of the early 90s Swedish death metal scene along with artists like Dissection and Necrophobic. The debut full-length studio album "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead (1993)" generally received a lot of praise and is today considered a bit of a classic blackened death metal release from the early 90s, but it didn´t elevate Unanimated from being an underground act to slightly more mainstream underground appeal. In other words, they are still one of the less known early 90s death metal artists from Sweden.

Since the release of "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead (1993)" there´s been one lineup change as bassist Daniel Lofthagen has been replaced by Richard Cabeza (Dismember, Carbonized, Murder Squad, General Surgery, etc.). Richard Cabeza also played on the band´s demos, but did not appear on "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead (1993)", probably as a consequence of his involvement in the heavy recording and touring schedule of Dismember, which was an act he was also a member of in those days.

As mentioned above the music on "Ancient God of Evil" is a blackened type of death metal, but also a very melodic type of death metal, featuring strong lead guitar themes (and occasional use of atmospheric keyboards). The atmosphere is dark and the whole thing reeks of the occult, which is in some part due to the snarling raspy vocal delivery by Micke Jansson, but also because of the lyrics. As far as musical style goes, Unanimated have pretty much stuck to their guns on this album, which feels like the natural successor to "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead (1993)". The musicianship is a notch tighter and the sound production is slightly better, but songwriting wise they haven´t developed much as far as I can hear. They are less savage on this release and the music is slightly more varied, but that´s about it.

"Ancient God of Evil" is arguably a quality sophomore studio album by Unanimated. It´s pretty much on par with the debut album, but I think the debut is slightly more interesting, or maybe the rawness of that release actually suits the band´s music better than the slightly better production values on this one do. A 3.5 star (70%) is still deserved though.

UMUR "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead" is the debut full-length studio album by Swedish death metal act Unanimated. The album was released through No Fashion Records in February 1993. "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead" has a pretty interesting release history as there exist three versions with three different cover artworks. Unanimated are usually counted among the elite Swedish blackened/melodic death metal acts from the early- to mid nineties along with artists like Dissection, early Marduk, and Necrophobic. They didn´t receive much recognition (only from a cult audience) or achieved commercial success while they were initially active though and they disbanded after releasing their second full-length studio album "Ancient God of Evil (1995)". They´ve since reformed and released their third full-length studio album "In the Light of Darkness (2009)".

Stylistically the music on "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead" reminds me a lot of early Necrophobic. Occult lyrical themes, a singer that delivers both raspy black metal styled vocals and death metal growling in a very convincing and commanding fashion, melodic guitar leads and a generally dark and epic atmosphere. Keyboards are used occasionally, but always as an atmosphere enhancer, seldom as a lead instrument. The riffing style varies from brutal death metal riffs, tremolo picked blackened riffing and occasionally rythmic thrashy riffing. The band are well playing and the performances on this album are generally pretty strong.

Some tracks stand out a bit more than others though and if I have to mention a minor issue with "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead", it´s the inconsistency of quality of the material. The best tracks like "Blackness of the Fallen Star", "Whispering Shadows", and "Through the Gates" are absolutely brilliant blackened death metal tracks, but there are a couple of more unremarkable tracks on the album too. Especially the ones which employ more thrash tinged riffing, stand out as the least interesting tracks on the album. I think it has a lot to do with the band using demo material for the album, and maybe not being critical enough of that material. To their defence it should be mentioned though that quite a few of their demo tracks (which are among the best tracks on the album) are of a very high quality.

The sound production is raw and powerful and has the right darkness to it, to suit the music. Overall it´s not the most well produced album in the genre, but still an enjoyable listen and of course a mandatory listen for fans of early- to mid 90s blackened melodic death metal. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Fire Storm" is the 2nd demo cassette tape by Swedish, Stockholm based blackened death metal act Unanimated. The demo was self-released in 1991 and sold approximately 3000 copies. Unanimated formed in 1988 and had already released an untitled rehearsal demo in 1990 before releasing "Fire Storm", which was the demo that ultimately secured them a record contract.

"Fire Storm" features 5 tracks and a full playing time of 19:58 minutes. The first track is an intro, but the remaining four tracks are "regular" length tracks. The latter mentioned would all appear on the band´s debut full-length studio album "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead (1993)". The demo serves it´s purpose well, because after listening to "Fire Storm", neither listener nor interested label, could have any doubts what Unanimated was about. Stylistically the band play a melodic blackened death metal style and comparisons to artists like Necrophobic, (early) Marduk, and Dissection are valid. The atmosphere is occult tinged (I really appreciate the occasional use of keyboards which provides the music with an extra gloomy effect) and hateful. The vocals are mostly growling but there are times when they are more snarling and thereby closer to black metal styled vocals.

Actually the vocals are one of the greatest assets in the band´s music. Lead vocalist/bassist Richard Daimon delivers them with a burning passion and conviction. The rest of the band are also very well playing and if I was to rate "Fire Storm" only on the basis of the musicianship and the songwriting, it would get a really high rating, as I´m very impressed by both. Unfortunately the sound production leaves a bit to be desired. It´s pretty messy (especially when the band play fast parts) and sometimes it sounds like you´re standing outside the door to their rehearsal room, listening to the band play through the closed door. It´s murky and noisy but despite those issues still charming in a primitive and raw fashion that studio releases can rarely match. If you listen closely you´re still able to figure out what is being played, so the sound production (or lack there of) isn´t a complete catastrophy. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.