UMUR "The Peel Sessions" is an EP release by UK, Coventry based death metal act Bolt Thrower. The EP was released through Strange Fruit in January 1988. The recording which took place on the 3rd of January 1988 was first transmitted on John Peels BBC Radio 1 radio show on the 13th of January 1988.

The EP features four tracks which would eventually be re-recorded and included on the band´s debut full-length studio album "In Battle There Is No Law!" (June 1988, Vinyl Solution). The most interesting thing about these versions is that they feature original lead vocalist Alan West. He would soon be replaced by Karl Willets, so this is a chance to hear his last recording with Bolt Thrower (an April 1988 bootleg rehearsal tape exists with West on vocals rehearsing the material which ended up on "In Battle There Is No Law!", but it´s not an official Bolt Thrower release).

Stylistically there´s been a notable change from the thrash metal/hardcore hybrid style featured on the September 1987 "Concession of Pain" demo as Bolt Thrower have become a more tightly playing unit, but they have also tightened up their sound and have made it more aggressive and brutal. I´d still not call this death metal, but it´s certainly heavier than what came before. The recording quality is decent considering that this was recorded in one day, and probably wasn´t mixed or mastered in more than a few hours. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.