UMUR "Demo '86" is a demo cassette tape by US crossover thrash metal act Carnivore. The demo was self-released in 1986 and bridges the gap between the band´s two full-length studio albums "Carnivore (1985)" and "Retaliation (1987)". The demo features 3 tracks, that would all make it unto "Retaliation (1987)" in re-recorded versions. Most reissues of "Carnivore (1985)" features the 3 tracks from the 11:08 minutes long demo as bonus tracks.

Compared to the hardcore punked heavy/speed metal with doom metal leanings that was featured on "Carnivore (1985)", the music style on the 3 tracks on "Demo '86" are more aggressive fast-paced crossover thrash metal tracks. Very energetic, lyrically offensive (yes "S.M.D." stands for "Suck My Dick") and pretty well played. Considering the fact that this is a demo, the sound production is decent too. Powerful and raw sounding.

I don´t know the history of this demo, but it is a bit of an oddity, as the band already had a deal with Roadrunner Records and didn´t need promo material to attract a new label, so maybe it´s a sort of rehearsal demo (even though it sounds a bit too professionally produced for that), or maybe something else entirely. I´m simply not sure, but the 3 tracks on the demo are of a pretty good quality and definitely worth a listen, so a 3.5 star (70%) rating is warranted.