UMUR "Neutral Forest" is the second demo recording by Finnish thrash metal act Phlegethon. The demo was independently released in June 1990 and follows the release of the "Visio Dei Beatifica" demo from October 1989. Bassist Jussi Nyblom has been added since the release of "Visio Dei Beatifica", making Phlegethon a quartet on "Neutral Forest". The material from "Neutral Forest" is included on the January 2010 "Drifting in the Crypt" (Xtreem Music) compilation album.

Stylistically Phlegethon continue the fast-paced and aggressive thrash metal style they initiated on "Visio Dei Beatifica", although they have generally lowered the pace a bit more. Slayer is still an influence on the fast-paced parts, but the influence isn´t as dominant anymore. It´s obvious that Phlegethon have grown as musicians and composers since the first demo, and especially the lead guitar work is much more convincing now. Unfortunately it sounds like lead vocalist/guitarist Teemu Hannonen went into the studio with a soar throat, because on some tracks he sounds worn and hoarse, which makes his vocals less caustic and raw than they were on "Visio Dei Beatifica". Drummer Lasse Pyykkö (who would later play/sing with acts like Hooded Menace and Acid Witch) is still on fire...wow what a drummer. His playing style is so powerful, organic, and energetic, that I can´t sit still while listening to him play.

"Neutral Forest" features a good sound quality for a demo release. You can hear every instrument and vocal part in the mix, and the music is presented in a powerful, raw, and authentic fashion. It´s definitely a good quality sound production considering that "Neutral Forest" is a demo recording. Upon conclusion "Neutral Forest" shows that Phlegethon had more in them than to play fast and aggressive, which they already occasionally hinted at on "Visio Dei Beatifica" (especially the 9:56 minutes long "Encapsulation of the Ark of the Covenant" made some promises). While I generally applaud and encourage development of sound and style, in this case I have to admit that I enjoy the more brutal and almost relentlessly fast-paced assault of "Visio Dei Beatifica" over the more nuanced, varied, and cleverly structured "Neutral Forest". "Neutral Forest" is still a high quality demo release though and a 3.5 star (70%) is deserved.