UMUR "Disgusting" is an eponymously titled EP by Norwegian death metal act Disgusting. The EP was released through Head Not Found in 1996. It´s the follow-up release to Disgusting´s debut full-length studio album "Shapeshifterbirthblues" (1995) and their final release before disbanding in 1997. The EP features 5 tracks and a total playing time of 21:00 minutes.

Stylistically Disgusting continue to play the raw and aggressive old school death metal style which they have also played on the previous releases. They made a few adjustments and developed some of their musical elements a bit. There is for example a bit more focus on groove on this EP than previously, but Disgusting still produce raw, filthy, and morbid sounding death metal with snarling aggressive vocals in front complimented by the occasionally deeper growling vocal part.

The EP features a well sounding production. The snare drum features a sharp punchy tone, but it goes well with the rest of the instruments and the vocals. Disgusting as usual throw in a few curve balls, and after the opening track "Immemorial" (which is a re-recording of the opening track on the band´s 1992 "The Lament Configuration" demo), they follow it up with "Undivided Impulses", which is a predominantly instrumental track (at least until 3 minutes in, when the song explodes in intensity and snarling aggressive vocals are added). I dare say that track borders progressive territories. And that is the overall feeling I get when listening to this EP. It´s inherently old school death metal at it´s core, but on top of that Disgusting add a lot of experimental/semi-progressive songwriting ideas, which make this release quite intriguing. It´s never at the expense of energy and brutality though, because the material on this EP is certainly both raw, aggressive, and brutal. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Chronological Perversity" is the second demo recording by Norwegian death metal act Disgusting. The demo was recorded in January/March 1994 and independently released in March 1994. It´s the successor to the "The Lament Configuration" demo from November 1992 and there´s been one lineup change since the predecessor as Ken Fletcher has been added to to the lineup as lead guitarist, making Disgusting a quartet on "Chronological Perversity". All five tracks from the 23:25 minutes long demo would be re-recorded and included on Disgusting´s debut full-length studio album "Shapeshifterbirthblues" (1995).

So these tracks are rough demo versions of the tracks which would appear on "Shapeshifterbirthblues", but they are no less powerful, effective, and brutal. The recording quality is raw and gritty, but not murky, and for a demo it´s a pretty good sounding production. Disgusting play a morbid, dark, and brutal type of old school death metal, which is relatively unique. The vocals vary between a raw and aggressive shouting type of vocals and deeper growling. The tracks are brutal, aggressive, and all feature a couple of songwriting ideas which are a little out of the ordinary considering that core sound is old school Scandinavian death metal. References to early Darkthrone, Cadaver, and Diskord are valid.

"Chronological Perversity" is the logical continuation and development of the sound which Disgusting initiated on "The Lament Configuration" demo. It´s the right step up in quality and songwriting progress and shows a band in the last stages before recording their debut album. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "The Lament Configuration" is the first demo recording by Norwegian death metal act Disgusting. The demo was recorded and independently released in November 1992. Disgusting was formed in 1992 by lead vocalist/guitarist Lasse Johansen after his formed band Balvaz disbanded. The trio lineup was completed by drummer Lars Kristian Holt and bassist Erik Brattvang.

"The Lament Configuration" is quite the expansive featuring 7 tracks and a total playing time of 25:59 minutes. The recording quality is professional (produced by Raymond Pellicer and Disgusting), and this could just as well have been released as an official studio EP. None of the material from "The Lament Configuration" made it unto Disgusting´s sole studio album "Shapeshifterbirthblues" (1995), so all material is exclusive to this release (at least in this form). The foundation of the dark, morbid, and twisted death metal style of "Shapeshifterbirthblues" is laid here though, and anyone familiar with, and who is a fan of, "Shapeshifterbirthblues" is advised to pay attention here.

This is a high quality demo recording, and Disgusting have a relatively unique sound and style. It´s old school death metal (with the odd nod towards deathgrind) with a raw snarling/shouting vocalist in front. There´s some lower grunting death metal growls used as backing/to double the raw snarling, but otherwise this is a death metal release with very few growling vocals. The musicianship is generally on a high level, and although the music is in no way flashy, it´s obvious that Disgusting are a well playing band. It´s the attitude, aggression, and twisted/morbid atmosphere of their music which are the real winners though. Early Cadaver is the closest relative and most valid reference, but Disgusting have their own style. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Shapeshifterbirthblues" is the debut full-length studio album by Norwegian death metal act Disgusting. The album was released in 1995 by Head Not Found. The rather shortlived Disgusting was born out of the ashes of the legendary Norwegian death metal act Balvaz. Guitarist Lasse Johansen aka L.J. Balvaz (who would team up with Cadaver Inc. and Cadaver around the turn of the millenium), took some of his Balvaz material with him and developed the Disgusting sound from there.

"Shapeshifterbirthblues" features old school, filthy and morbid sounding death metal with a sludgy doomy edge. The vocals are mostly sneering, shouting and fiercely aggressive but there are occassional growls too. There´s a dark and vile atmosphere making the listening experience an unpleasant one. Of course in this respect the unpleasant description is meant to be seen in a positive light. The instrumentation is very basic and the playing, while not exactly sloppy, is lose and organic. While the music is predominantly in the old school Scandinavian death metal vein Disgusting succesfully incorporate acoustic/clean guitars into their music. This and the quite unique (for the style) vocal delivery make Disgusting stand out quite a bit. The acoustic parts are typically played with a distorted guitar underneath, so we´re not talking pretty prog folky parts in the vein of some of Opeth´s material. Just to make a comparison most people can relate to. As an example check out the bluesy acoustic guitar solo in the opening track "Fuch-sia". That´s not exactly business as usual for a death metal act. Another feature that works really well on "Shapeshifterbirthblues" are the melodic yet haunting lead themes.

The production is unpolished, organic and quite dark, which suits the music well. This is not exactly the kind of music that would sound great with a clean and polished sound production.

It´s interesting to note, that while the Swedish death metal scene of the early nineties mostly spawned acts with a similar simple and effective sound, the much smaller Norwegian scene mostly spawned death metal acts with a twist. Disgusting is in league with acts like Cadaver and Darkthrone that also played death metal with a twist on their early releases. "Shapeshifterbirthblues" is a pretty unique release to my ears though and with a convincing delivery and an adventurous approach to songwriting, Disgusting have created an album that features quite a few of the things I enjoy about the more filthy part of the death metal genre and a 4 star rating is fully deserved.