UMUR "Realms of Darkness" is a demo recording by Finnish death/thrash metal act Sacred Crucifix. The demo was independently released in June 1989. It´s the band´s second demo as they recorded the "Demo 1987" under the Criminal Assault monicker before changing their name to Sacred Crucifix and subsequently re-releasing the Criminal Assault demo under the Sacred Crucifix monicker (minus the "Blessed Pilgrim" track). The two tracks from the first demo ("Brain Death" and "Beyond the Cross") were re-recorded and included on "Realms of Darkness".

While the first demo was a raw, savage, and aggressive thrash metal demo greatly influenced by artists like Sodom and Kreator, but also by the rawness and savage sound of the contemporary South American thrash metal scene, "Realms of Darkness" shows development towards a slightly more death metal influenced sound. It´s still predominantly a raw and brutal thrash metal release, but there are moments when Sacred Crucifix touch death metal territories (listen to parts of "Requiem" and "Realms of Darkness" for that).

The demo features a well sounding recording quality and it´s obvious why this is often mentioned among the seminal Finnish thrash metal and proto-death metal demos. This is a must listen for anyone interested in the late 80s/early 90s transition from brutal thrash to death metal. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.