UMUR "Life Cycle" is the debut full-length studio album by German progressive metal act Sieges Even. The album was released through Steamhammer Records/SPV in October 1988. Sieges Even are widely considered one of the seminal German progressive metal acts. The band was started by the two brothers Oliver and Alexander Holzwarth on bass and drums respectively, Markus Steffen on guitars and Franz Herde on vocals. There have been quite a lineup changes throughout Sieges Even´s career and the only members who have always been in the band are the Holzwarth brothers. The very musically gifted and tecnically skilled brothers also play with some of the really big power metal acts. Oliver has provided bass on some albums by German power metal gods Blind Guardian and Alexander has played drums on the seveal albums by leading Italian power metal band Rhapsody (of Fire).

The music on "Life Cycle" is challenging technical/progressive metal. The album is very similar in sound and style to tech metal pioneers Watchtower´s debut album "Energetic Diassembly (1985)". If you enjoy that album chances are you will enjoy this one too. The album features lots of great tech metal tracks with high pitched clean vocals but there are more straight forward thrashy material on the album too. "Apocalyptic Disposition" is an example of that. The 12:28 minutes long "Straggler from Atlantis" is an example of the more progressive part of the band´s sound.

The musicianship is outstanding and it´s audible from the get go that Sieges Even are more skilled than average. Franz Herde has a strong voice even though his German accent is a bit too obvious at times. A minor issue though.

Considering that we´re talking 1988 the sound production is pretty strong and all in all "Life Cycle" is an enjoyable listen to those who enjoy their progressive metal with a technical twist. The Watchtower influences are worn a bit too much on the sleeve for comfort though and therefore I can´t give a full 4 star rating. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved though.