UMUR ".xism Excursion" is an EP release by Finnish death metal act Paraxism. The EP was released through Crawfish Recordings in 1996. It was recorded and mixed in December 1995. It succeeds the 1995 promo tape "Selected Works - Promo 95", which finally secured Paraxism a label deal to release this EP. Paraxism formed in 1990 and released an old school death metal styled demo in 1992, but repidly evolved and released the 1993 "Promo 93", which was a melting pot of old school death metal, melodic death metal, and death´n´roll, but on "Selected Works - Promo 95" it seemed that the band had settled on a melodic death´n´roll style.

And indeed the melodic death´n´roll style of "Selected Works - Promo 95" is continued on ".xism Excursion", but now packed in a professional studio production. The band have again enlisted guests to perform violin and mini moog on this release in addition to the more "normal" rock/metal instrumentation of guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. While the band´s core death´n´roll sound is interesting enough in itself, the additional instruments provide the band´s sound with something a little more exotic, and it works wonders for the soundscape.

".xism Excursion" is quite a brilliant release (a little short featuring only 3 tracks and a total playing time of 13:15 minututes, but quality of course always beats quantity), and fans of contemporary Amorphis and Sentenced should definitely give it a listen. It´s high quality melodic death´n´roll and it´s a real shame that ".xism Excursion" ended up being their sole label release, because it´s obvious that Paraxism had a lot more to offer, had they been given the chance. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.