UMUR "Balvaz" is an eponymously titled EP release by Norwegian death metal act Balvaz. The EP was released through Virulence Records in January 1991 and it´s the last release by the band before disbanding in late 1991. Balvaz formed in 1987 under the Braindead monicker, and released the "Balvaz" rehearsal demo in 1988 before changing their name to Balvaz. They released two demos under the Balvaz monicker and this EP. After Balvaz disbanded in late 1991, guitarist/vocalist Lasse Johansen would form Disgusting and continue what he started with Braindead/Balvaz.

The EP features four tracks and a total playing time of 13:36 minutes. All four tracks are re-recordings of tracks which originally appeared on the July 1990 "Phlegm" demo. The only track from the demo which hasn´t been re-recorded and included on this EP is "Freak".

The sound production is just slightly more clear than what was the case on earlier versions of the tracks, but it´s details, because the EP still features a raw, noisy, and unpolished sounding production job. Stylistically Balvaz sound like they´ve done since the Braindead days. Raw, aggressive, and morbid sounding old school death metal with both blasting, heavy mid-paced, and slow doomy sections. The vocals haven´t changed either and they are still raw screaming snarling. They are quite unique and intense. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Phlegm" is the second demo recording by Norwegian death metal act Balvaz. The demo was independently released in July 1990. It´s the successor to the November 1989 "Kællus Tapus" demo. Balvaz formed in 1987 under the Braindead monicker, and released the "Balvaz" rehearsal demo in 1988 before changing their name to Balvaz. After Balvaz disbanded in late 1991, guitarist/vocalist Lasse Johansen would form Disgusting and continue what he started with Braindead/Balvaz.

Stylistically the material on the 5 track, 21:46 minutes long demo continues the raw and aggressive old school death metal style of the preceding demo (and the Braindead demo). It´s raw, brutal, and gloomy death metal featuring both fast blasting parts but also both heavy mid-paced parts and slow death/doom metal parts. The vocals are raw snarling screaming (almost hysterical at times), and they aren´t your regular deep death metal growling.

"Phlegm" features darkness, brutality, and a morbid atmosphere (further enhanced by the raw and unpolished sounding production job), which are some of the neccesary and important ingredients on an old school death metal release, but Balvaz also have an element of uniqueness to their songwriting, and it´s on "Phlegm" you really hear it the first time. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Kællus Tapus" is the first demo recording by Norwegian death metal act Balvaz. The demo was independently released in November 1989. Balvaz formed in 1987 under the Braindead monicker, and released the "Balvaz" rehearsal demo in 1988 before changing their name to Balvaz.

"Kællus Tapus" is a direct continuation of the aggressive and raw old school death metal on the Braindead demo. The vocals are raw screaming/snarling rather than death metal growling, but the music is arguably still death metal. It´s not the most unique sounding release from that time and Balvaz didn´t yet write particularly memorable songs, but there is still som raw charm to the demo, which makes it a worthwhile listen. The sound production is raw, noisy, and unpolished, but "Kællus Tapus" is still overall a decent listen. A 2.5 star (50%) rating is warranted.