UMUR "Shallow Grave" is the second full-length studio album by Finnish death/thrash metal act Sacred Crucifix. The album was released through CFTN Distribution in May 2009. It´s the successor to "Aeon of Chaos" from 2004 although the two full-length studio albums are bridged by the March 2008 "From Beyond to..." EP.

Stylistically the material on "Shallow Grave" continues the heavy and melodic death metal style of the material featured on the "From Beyond to..." EP. You can hear the band´s raw and aggressive thrash metal style here and there, but Sacred Crucifix have more or less left that sound behind on this release. Lead vocalist/bassist Miku Mertanen deliver a fierce snarling performance and he is one of the greatest assets of the band´s music. The instrumental part of the music is very well performed too though, and "Shallow Grave" is overall a good quality release, featuring high level musicianship, heavy and creative songwriting, and a massive meaty sound production, which suits the material well.

Upon conclusion "Shallow Grave" is another proof that Sacred Crucifix are a quality act, who finally have become able to produce and release label releases, which (which they for various reasons were deprived of during their original run from 1987-1990). A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.