UMUR "Collision" is the debut full-length studio album by multi-national groove metal/ metalcore act C-187. The album was released in August 2007 by Mascot Records. The band is what I would label a "super" group assembled by guitarist Patrick Mameli (Pestilence). In addition to Patrick Mameli, C-187 consists of Tony Jelencovich on vocals (Angel Blake, B-Thong, Transport League, Iron Shit Snakes, Mnemic, Commander, Icon In Me), Tony Choy on Bass (Pestilence, Atheist, Area 305, Cynic) and Sean Reinert on Drums (Cynic, Death, Gordian Knot, Anomaly, Portal, Aghora, Aeon Spoke, Seaweed, Sean Malone, Levi / Werstler). This is Patrick Mameli´s first attempt at playing metal again after touring in support of "Spheres (1993)" by Pestilence. As far as I remember he went out on a rather bad note with the metal community completely renouncing metal and metal fans in particular. I guess he got wiser with age.

The music on the album is groove metal/ metalcore and personally that came as quite a surprise to me considering the nature of most of the acts the members are/ have been involved with. Tony Jelencovich is a rather typical screamo type metalcore singer but he does what he does in a convincing way. The music is groove oriented with heavy chugging riffs and for the most part vers/ chorus based. Don´t expect too many progressive excursions other than some really well played jazzy guitar soloing. The delivery is tight and professional and the production is powerful and suits the music. The songwriting on the other hand is a bit lacking. The songs don´t really stick and even after several spins I find it hard to point to highlights. The rather awkward gangsta lyrics don´t really help on my overall impression. I guess it´s a pretty original idea, but song titles like "Cruisin’ 4 a Bruisin’" and "P.C.P. (Murda in ma Head)" just look weird on a metal album. I´m probably being a bit too conservative here so I´ll advice making up your own mind if this would be something you would find intriguing.

Judging on the general reception of the album upon release, not many people found it very interesting. I´ve read enough reviews of this album to know that most reviewers feel just about the same as I do about "Collision". It´s a professional piece of work, but the songwriting and the odd gangsta lyrics make it a rather confusing and fragmented album that probably don´t appeal to many people. If you think the above description is something that might suit your taste, maybe you could prove me wrong. A 2.5 - 3 star rating is warranted.