UMUR "Quantum Bummer" is the debut full-length studio album by Canadian, Toronto based thrash/heavy/progressive metal act Beyond. The album was released through Epidemic Records in 1990. Beyond formed in 1985 and released a string of demos (actually no less than four) before being signed for the release of "Quantum Bummer". It would be their only official label release though as they disbanded soon after its release.

Beyond went from playing thrash metal, to playing technical thrash metal, to finally playing an odd alternative rock/metal and thrash/heavy/progressive metal hybrid style on the 1989 "Staircase" demo, and it´s the latter style which is continued on "Quantum Bummer" (two of the tracks from the demo are also included in re-recorded versions). The vocals have a lot of similarities to the contemporary Seattle rock vocals and while this isn´t a one to one comparison, I hear some Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) in the vocals on this album. Since the "Staircase" demo Beyond have now also added a funky edge to some of their tracks (listen to a track like "The Kettle" for proof of that), which makes "Quantum Bummer" an even more impossible album to label. Let´s just establish that this album is for those who enjoy their metal eclectic and adventurous. I´m not sure but maybe fans of late 80s/early 90s alternative metal acts like Faith No More and Primus would find this interesting.

"Quantum Bummer" is fairly well produced and features a sound production which suits the material well. The musicianship is on a high level on all posts, and lead vocalist Paul Garvey has a strong voice and a commanding delivery. Upon conclusion "Quantum Bummer" is one of the more unique albums I´ve come across in a while, and it´s got an irresistible charm to it which is a great asset. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Staircase" is the fourth demo release by Canadian, Toronto based thrash/progressive metal act Beyond. The demo was released through Epidemic Records on cassette tape in 1989. It´s the successor to the "Framed Insanity" demo from 1988.

The material on "Staircase" is a complete left turn compared to the technical thrash metal style found on "Framed Insanity", and I´m sure fans at the time must have been shocked by what they heard. While the music still features some thrash metal riffs and harder edged parts, the music style on "Staircase" is best described as an alternative/progressive rock/metal style. It´s like a strange hybrid of Seattle rock (lead vocalist Paul Garvey leans towards sounding like Eddie Vedder) and tech thrash/progressive rock/metal. It´s an odd combination of styles on paper, and it´s even more strange listening to it.

When the shock of the drastic stylistic change has passed, I actually think Beyond pull their new adventurous style off pretty well. They are skilled musicians and Garvey has a good voice and a relatively strong delivery. It´s all a bit unpolished but that´s to be expected from a demo release. The sound production is of a good quality considering that this is a 1989 demo. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Framed Insanity" is the third demo release by Canadian, Toronto based thrash metal act Beyond. The demo was independently released on cassette tape on 1988. It´s the successor to the "Inner World" demo from 1987.

While the material on the four track, 19:22 minutes long demo continues the raw, aggressive, and technically well played thrash metal style of "Inner World", everything on "Framed Insanity" have become more intense, more technical, and more professional. This can even be labelled tech thrash metal as Beyond enters that territory here. The vocals are still one of the weak links of Beyond´s music, but the raw trash metal shouting is decent enough and gets the job done.

The sound production is unfortunately a bit on the thin side, and especially the guitars could have prospered from a more meaty sound, but it´s still a listenable demo, where you can just about make out everyting that´s going on. Upon conclusion "Framed Insanity" is a step forward for Beyond compared to the quality of "Inner World" and it´s especially in the songwriting department that the band have improved greatly. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Inner World" is the second demo release by Canadian, Toronto based thrash metal act Beyond. The demo was independently released on cassette tape in 1987. It´s the successor to the September 1986 "Paradox" demo. Beyond formed in 1985, released a string of demos, and their 1990 debut full-length studio album "Quantum Bummer" before disbanding.

Stylistically the material on "Inner World" is a technically well played type of thrash metal (think the rawness and technical playing of artists like Nasty Savage and to some degree Dark Angel). The vocals are pretty ordinary raw and shouting thrash metal vocals. The singer attempts to sing once or twice, but really shouldn´t have. The band are obviously well playing, but the material aren´t that memorable and it´s in that department that Beyond still sound a little immature. Their playing skills are definitely the greatest asset of this demo.

The sound quality is decent enough for a 1987 thrash metal demo, but it´s not the most well sounding demo from that time. Featuring 8 tracks and a total playing time of 30:10 minutes you get a lot of quantity for the money, and you also get a good idea of Beyond´s music style, which is essentially what a good demo should provide. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is warranted.