UMUR "Swimming in the Moonlight" is an EP release by Finnish thrash metal act Protected Illusion. The EP was released in October 1989 through the Real Illusion label, which was a label the band set up themselves. It´s the first Protected Illusion release on the label. "Swimming in the Moonlight" succeeds the release of the September "Demo-88" demo and the January 1989 "Opulence and Preservation...Poverty and Desperation..." demo.

The material from the EP has 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 "Swimming in the Moonlight" pretty much continues the raw, aggressive, and at times even brutal thrash metal style of the "Opulence and Preservation...Poverty and Desperation..." demo, but Protected Illusion have brought more variation and experimental songwriting to the table (the middle section of "Lie on a Bed of Roses" features a Voivod influence). When the band play fastest and most aggressive I´m reminded of the unhinged caustic aggression of early Sadus, but there are a few stomping mid-paced parts on the EP which remind me slightly of early Sabbat (the UK one) too. The material on "Swimming in the Moonlight" is also more technical in style than what came before, and it´s audible that Protected Illusion have evolved as both musicians and composers.

"Swimming in the Moonlight" features a relatively thin sounding production job, but Protected Illusion still manage to sound sharp, intense, and ultra gnarly, so while a bit more bottom end and meaty sounding guitars could probably have made the listening experience even more satisfying, this raw and unpolished sounding production job actually suits the material pretty well.

So upon conclusion "Swimming in the Moonlight" is a good step forwared for Protected Illusion. The band show progress, but their music is still centered around the ultra aggressive and fast-paced thrash metal of the preceding demo. This is for fans of the most fast played, savage, and furiously intense thrash metal out there. As described above Protected Illusion are thankfully a little more than just that, and they succeed in incorporating slightly more experimental musical ideas to their music. As it happens without sacrificing one ounce of energy or aggression it becomes moments of nice variation on an otherwise relentlessly fast-paced and aggressive release. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.