UMUR "Unleashed Power" is the second demo recording by Danish heavy metal act Avalon. The demo was independently released on cassette tape in 1987. Avalon formed in 1987 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and disbanded in 1989 after releasing two demos (this one being their second and last). After Avalon split-up guitarist Ken C. Jack (Ken Jacobsen) moved to the United States and subsequently formed Unleashed Power. Drummer Flemming Larsen later became drum technician for Metallica´s drummer Lars Ulrich.

While this is labelled a demo, "Unleashed Power" actually features 10 tracks and a total playing time of 40:43 minutes, so it´s basically an album length release. That´s also true for the quality of the demo which is very high. This doesn´t sound like a demo at all, but instead it sounds 100% like a professional studio recording, which just wasn´t released as a studio album through a label.

Stylistically this is heavy metal with the occasional US power metal influence thrown in. It´s both epic, melodic, hard rocking, hard hitting and heavy. It´s arguably quite creative music delivered by an incredibly well playing/singing band...again I can´t fathom that this wasn´t picked up by a label and released as Avalon´s debut album. Well... thankfully the band decided to put it out and not let it be forgotten on a shelf somewhere, because this is a high quality heavy metal release deserving to be heard by as many people as possible.

I can´t remember having heard many other Danish demos from the late 80s featuring this much quality and this demo has honestly blown me away. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is fully deserved. Hopefully one day a label will pick this one up for a reissue along with the three tracks from the 1987 "Forgotten Realms" demo. I´d buy it...

UMUR "Forgotten Realms" is the first demo recording by Danish heavy metal act Avalon. The demo was independently released on cassette tape in 1987. Avalon formed in 1987 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and disbanded in 1989 after releasing two demos (this one being their first). After Avalon split-up guitarist Ken C. Jack (Ken Jacobsen) moved to the United States and subsequently formed Unleashed Power. Drummer Flemming Larsen later became drum technician for Metallica´s drummer Lars Ulrich.

"Forgotten Realms" features three tracks and a total playing time of 12:04 minutes, so it´s not much material or time you get to learn about Avalon and their music. But after listening to the demo it is clear though that Avalon were a highly professional and skilled unit. Their songwriting is strong and the material is memorable melodic heavy metal with the occasional nod towards US power (only the rare moment though). Their performances are of a high quality too. Strong vocals, sharp, melodic, and hard rocking heavy metal riffs and rhythms and some nice lead work too.

As "Forgotten Realms" also features a well sounding production job, which doesn´t necessarily screams demo sound quality, this is overall a very good quality first demo from Avalon. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.