UMUR "The Storm Manifesto" is a 3 disc boxset release by Norwegian death metal (blackened death metal) act Zyklon. The boxset was released in July 2010 by Candlelight Records. "The Storm Manifesto" features the tracks from all three full-length studio albums: "World ov Worms (2001)", "Aeon (2003)" and "Disintegrate (2006)". In addition to that "The Storm Manifesto" features a couple of cover tracks, that I assume were included on limited editions of the studio albums, and no less than 6 official promotional videos.

Zyklon was formed in 1998 by Emperor guitarist Samoth, Emperor drummer Trym, Myrkskog guitarist Destructhor and lead vocalist Daemon (Limbonic Art, Sarcoma Inc., Infinite Decay). Daemon was replaced by Secthdamon after the first album. Like Destructhor he also came from Myrkskog. Zyklon were on hold from October 2007 until January 2010 when Samoth finally announced the permanent split-up.

"World ov Worms (2001)" features a blackened death metal sound while the two successors featured deeper growling vocals and as a consequence also a more straight death metal sound. All albums feature industrial elements too. Zyklon are skilled musicians and wether they play furiously fast paced blast beat sections or heavier mid-paced parts they sound at ease with what they do. This is death metal at it´s most raw and chaotic yet razor sharp and cleverly composed.

"The Storm Manifesto" is a great way to get hold of three high quality death metal releases in one purchase. The videos and the bonus tracks are nice features, but it´s icing and what is most important are the high quality death metal tracks on the three original studio albums. Honestly I think the quality dropped slightly on "Disintegrate" but even that album is a high quality death metal release. A 4 - 4.5 star rating is warranted.

Kingcrimsonprog Zyklon are blackened death metal band from Noway, featuring members of Emperor and Myrkskog and with lyrics written by Bård “Faust” Eithun. This set comprises of the band’s first (and to date only) three studio albums 2001′s World OV Worms, 2003′s Aeon and 2006′s Disintegrate.

Zyklon are a hugely talented act and the music herein is of the utmost quality. Zyklon add a large amount of interesting twists to their music, mixing groove and occasional thrash riffs to their utterly heavy Blackened-Death base, adding blistering guitar solos and book-ending songs with electronic sections.

The music is absolutely professional, incredibly creative and unquestionably heavy. If you enjoy high speeds and frequent blast beats then Zyklon should definitely appeal to you. If you need further convincing listen to the more straightforward tracks like ‘Worm World,’ ‘Disintegrate,’ or ‘Core Solution,’ and judge for yourself, or if you are into more complex and progressive metal, check out ‘Transcendental War: The Battle Between Gods,’ or ‘An Eclectic Manner.’

Zyklon are one of my personal favourite extreme metal acts and I highly recommend them. This set contains all of their studio output in one go, so cannot be faulted in any way. If you like extreme metal, I urge you to give the band a try.