UMUR "An Instrument of Darkness" is an EP release by Austrian black metal act Eschaton. The EP was independently released in October 2010. Physical CD copies were available for purchase, but the band also offered digital copies of the EP up for free through their Bandcamp profile. Eschaton were formed in 1998 under the Dominus Satanas monicker but changed their name to the current one in 2002. They released their debut full-length studio album "GodMode" in 2004. "An Instrument of Darkness" is only their second release, so it´s been quiet for a few years on the recording front.

Stylistically the 2 tracks on the 13:30 minutes long EP continue the progressive inclined black metal style of the debut album. It´s hard edged, aggressive, and very well performed, and although there are certainly progressive ideas and structures on the EP, it´s the aggression, the dark atmosphere, and the often death/thrashy riffs, which dominate the music. The vocals are predominantly aggressive raspy black metal snarling, but "Isolated Intelligence" also features some clean vocals. Eschaton would re-record that track and include it as the title track on their second full-length studio album "Isolated Intelligence (2012)".

"An Instrument of Darkness" is a well produced release too, which ensures the best possible conditions for the material to shine. So upon conclusion "An Instrument of Darkness" is a high quality release by Eschaton and while "GodMode (2004)" was a great and promising debut album, there is some clear development of sound on this EP, which makes Eschaton´s music even more interesting. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.