UMUR "City Beneath The Surface" is an EP release by US, Florida based heavy metal act Avatar. The EP was released through Par Records Inc. in September 1983. Avatar were formed in 1979 but changed their name to Savatage in 1983. "City Beneath The Surface" was actually released after the name change (Savatage debut album "Sirens" was released in April 1983), but under the Avatar monicker. It features 3 tracks off Avatar´s 6 track demo cassette tape "Living for the Night" from February 1983: "Sirens", "City Beneath The Surface", and "The Whip". The former track was included on Savatage "Sirens (1983)" album while the latter two were included on the "The Dungeons Are Calling (1984)" EP (also released under the Savatage monicker).

Stylistically the music is traditional heavy metal performed with great skill, energy, and conviction. Jon Oliva has a strong voice and a raw delivery and paired with the hard hitting and organic sounding rhythm section, and the incredibly skilled guitar playing by Criss Oliva, that makes for a very successful cocktail. Considering that this is a 1983 recording, the sound production is also pretty well sounding. Detailed, organic, and raw, which is a perfect fit for the material on the 3 track, 12:23 minutes long EP.

So upon conclusion "City Beneath The Surface" is a quality release by Avatar. The whole name confusion thing and the fact that the three tracks are available on Savatage releases too (and in better recording quality), doesn´t change the fact that viewed upon as an individual release "City Beneath The Surface" is still a worthy listen. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.