UMUR "Engine" is the self-titled debut full-length studio album by US alternative/groove metal act Engine. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in September 1999. By the end of the nineties the band actitivies of Fates Warning had slowed down considerably compared the band´s activity level in the eighites and early nineties. Lead vocalist Ray Alder also wanted to try out a more direct, simple and groove based sound and found like minded musicians in guitarist Bernie Versailles and bassist Joey Vera, who had toured with Fates Warning on the tour supporting "A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997)" (and in Joey Vera´s case he had also participated in the recording of the album). The three recruited Pete Parada to fill the drummer position. Besides Ray Alder being known for his work with Fates Warning and later Redemption, the other three members of the Engine lineup are known for their work with acts such as Agent Steel, Halford, Arch / Matheos, Armored Saint and OSI among others.

...and the high level musicianship is audible. The album is a very well played affair. The music on the other hand is a far cry from the generally progressive nature of most of the member´s main acts. The songs are formulaic vers/chorus structured and very seldom deviate from that form. The riffs are simple, heavy and groove based but some tracks like "Falling Star" and "Bear Your Cross" also feature soaring melodic chorus lines, that make them stand out a bit from the generally more aggressive nature of most of the material (add "Tree of Life" to the more melodic material too). I hear some strong Helmet leanings in the music and I think fans of that band might find the music on the album more interesting than progressive metal fans who are probably the ones who would purchase the album first because of the musicians involved.

When the most spectacular thing about an album is the musicians in the lineup, there´s something wrong with the music and that´s unfortunately the case with "Engine". Most of the material on the album is simply unremarkable. The above mentioned more melodic tracks stand out the most while it´s the more monotone groove based alternative metal tracks that are most forgettable. A track like album opener "Monster" is very repetitive and way too long for comfort and that unfortunately goes for many of the tracks on the album. Still the album comes off as a professional product with a well sounding production and strong musicianship and I´d say a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.