UMUR "Molecular Shadow" is the second full-length studio album by US, Florida based death metal act D.V.C. (Darth Vader's Church). The album was released through Manufacture Sound Output Co. in 1992. It was the last release from D.V.C. as they disbanded in 1993. They formed in 1988 and released the early 1989 "Constrictus Mortum" demo and two full-length studio albums (this one being the second) before they split-up.

Stylistically this is a continuation of the old school death metal style of the two preceding releases, but "Molecular Shadow" features a slightly more professional sounding production job, although it´s still very raw and unpolished sounding, which provides it with the edge over their previous recordings. D.V.C. play a death metal style with strong brutal late 80s thrash metal leanings, not too different from early Morbid Angel, although not as fast-paced and intriguing in terms of the songwriting. It´s still a relatively creative release (listen to how they use harmonica...), and it certainly features the right amount of morbid gloomy atmospheres and twisted death metal riffs. The drums are on the simple side, and that´s probably one of the reasons why "Molecular Shadow" sounds so old school for a 1992 release.

Upon conclusion there are valid reasons why D.V.C. did not make it big like contemporary Florida death metal acts like Death, Morbid Angel, and Deicide, but "Molecular Shadow" is still worth a listen to those who enjoy their death metal as old school as possible. A 2.5 - 3 (55%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Descendant Upheaval" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Florida based death metal act D.V.C. (Darth Vader's Church). The album was released through Manufacture Sound Output Company in May 1989. D.V.C. formed in 1988 in Tallahassee, Florida and were active until 1993 when they disbanded after releasing the early 1989 "Constrictus Mortum" demo and two full-length studio albums (this one being the first). Three out of the four members would ressurface under the Mortitron monicker and release a 1997 demo before disappearing again.

Many of the tracks from the "Constrictus Mortum" demo appear here in re-recorded versions, featuring a moderately better quality sound production. It would however be a lie telling anyone that "Descendant Upheaval" features a particularly well sounding production job, and while it certainly sounds a little more polished and professional than the case was with the chaotic production values on the "Constrictus Mortum" demo, it´s not what I would deem a professional sounding release, and "Descendant Upheaval" could just as well have been released as a demo.

Stylistically this is as old school thrash infused death metal as it gets. Early Morbid Angel and Nocturnus minus the keyboards are valid references as well as a heavy dose of brutal late 80s thrash metal. The vocals are raw shouting/semi-growling and D.V.C. are one of those acts who play some sort of hybrid death metal and thrash metal style, but aren´t a death/thrash metal act. Upon conclusion "Descendant Upheaval" is a decent quality release, but there is a long way up to the quality and uniqueness of more well known contemporary artists like Deicide, Morbid Angel, Obituary, and Death. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is fair.

UMUR "Constrictus Mortum" is the first demo recording by US death metal act D.V.C. (Darth Vader's Church). The demo was independently released in early 1989. D.V.C. formed in 1988 in Tallahassee, Florida and were active until 1993 when they disbanded after releasing this demo and two full-length studio albums. Three out of the four members would ressurface under the Mortitron monicker and release a 1997 demo before disappearing again.

I´ve been trying to dig up information about D.V.C. other than the usual trivia, but I´ve failed to find anything further than the information in the beginning of my review, so D.V.C. are something as unusual as a late 80s/early 90s death metal act from Florida, who weren´t very prolific during their initial run and who very few people have ever heard about.

...and that´s actually a real shame, because judging by the qualiy of the material on this demo and particularly the performances, D.V.C. had something to offer. Early Morbid Angel and Nocturnus minus the keyboards are obvious influences (with an added healthy dose of brutal late 80s thrash metal). The raw and unpolished demo production values drown out some of the screaming chromatic guitars leads which seem to appear from nowhere, and unfortunately also often the raw shouting/semi-growling vocals. Total sonic chaos, but it´s all very well performed and quite raw and intense, and when you can make out what´s happening it´s obvious that these guys had both the playing skills and the songwriting brains to produce something worthwhile. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is warranted.