UMUR "Sandman's Store" is an EP release by Finnish thrash metal act Protected Illusion. The EP was released through the Öpstone label in August 1991. It´s the successor to Protected Illusion´s debut full-length studio album "Festering Fairytales" from July 1990. The Öpstone label was a label the band set up themselves to release their own music. They also released music on another label they had set up themselves called Real Illusion.

The material from the EP have been included on the 2008 "1989-1991: Watching the Wake" compilation album (Marquee Records) which compiles the material from Protected Illusion´s second demo (the "Opulence and Preservation...Poverty and Desperation..." demo), their two EPs (including this one) and their sole full-length studio album "Festering Fairytales" (Real Illusion, July 1990).

Stylistically the material on the seven track, 12:16 minutes long EP continues the aggressive thrash metal of the band´s previous releases, but adds even more technical playing and experimental songwriting ideas to their sound. It´s no surprise as Protected Illusion have increased both elements on each successive release up until the "Sandman's Store", so at this point their music can be described as aggressive technical/progressive thrash metal. Voivod is obviously an influence (take a listen to the punky "Teenage Pizzaface", which sounds a lot like early Voivod), but Protected Illusion are a much heavier and more aggressive and brutal band than the Canadians.

One of the changes to Protected Illusion´s sound which has happened on "Sandman's Store" (other than the increased use of technical playing and experimental songwriting ideas) is that they have generally lowered the pace of their music. They had heavy mid-paced sections on earlier releases too, but "Sandman's Store" is their most heavy release up until now (just take a listen to the heavy riffs and rhythms on "Me and My" and on "A Rather Charming Day in a Jolly Brutal World"). They still occasionally play their usual energy packed and aggressive fast-paced sections, but it´s now only an element of their sound.

Production wise I think "Sandman's Store" is their most professional sounding production yet. It´s still very raw, unpolished, and at times close to sounding chaotic, but it´s a perfect sound for the material. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved. Although Protected Illusion released no less than three demos after releasing "Sandman's Store" those demo releases have more or less been forgotten by time and Protected Illusion disbanded in 1995 with no further releases under their belt.