UMUR "Force Majeure" is a compilation album by Danish heavy metal act Force Majeure. The compilation was released through Steel Legacy Records in January 2010, almost 20 years after Force Majeure disbanded. Force Majeure formed in 1983 and were originally called Apocalypse but changed their name to Force Majeure in 1988. They shortly changed their name to Crime Academy in 1990 and then back to Force Majeure later the same year. They disbanded in 1991 after releasing one demo as Apocalypse, one demo as Crime Academy and three demos as Force Majeure (the Crime Academy demo was released between the second and third Force Majeure demos). This compilation features the material from the three Force Majeure demos and the unreleased 1988 demo track "Kingdom Fall" (which may or may not be featured on some versions of the first demo). As a bonus the compilation also features live videos for "Ballerina" and "Crime Academy".

Force Majeure played a powerful, melodic, and quite sophisticated heavy metal style with power metal and neo-classical leanings throughout their career. The material from the 1988 demo is quite impressive and professional, while the material from the 1989 demo is slightly less well produced but ultimately still is good quality demo material. The real gem here is the material from the December 1990 "The Fortress" demo though. High quality material performed by a skilled and professional band. There had been quite a few lineup changes (and a band name change) between the second and the third demos, and the last incarnation of Force Majeure really were a force to be reckoned with. It´s such a shame they disbanded at that point, because I would have loved to hear a studio album from them.

Upon conclusion this compilation is well worth the price of admission for the material from "The Fortress" demo alone, but the material from the two other demos is definitely worth a listen to. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is fully deserved.

UMUR "The Fortress" is the third demo recording by Danish heavy metal act Force Majeure. The demo was released in December 1990. After releasing two demos under the Force Majeure name (one in 1988 and one in 1989), a bigger lineup shuffle also meant a band name change to Crime Academy. Crime Academy only existed for a short while in 1990 before they decided to change their name back to Force Majeure. So the full Crime Academy lineup performs on this demo as Force Majeure. "Take Off" from the 1990 Crime Academy demo has also been re-recorded and included here. The material from all three Force Majeure demos were compiled and released on the "Force Majeure" compilation album in January 2010 through Steel Legacy Records.

While I think the quality of the second Force Majeure demo was slightly less than the quality of the first demo, the band are right back on track with "The Fortress", which is a pretty remarkable heavy metal demo release. The sound production is professional, the material is strong, memorable, and powerful heavy metal with some sophisticated power metal and neo-classical leanings, and new lead vocalist Dennis Petersen brings a lot to the table. He has a slightly more raw (but still melodic) delivery than former singer Per Onink, and the addition of Petersen has also brought a more professional element to the vocal part of the band´s sound.

Upon conclusion "The Fortress" is arguably the strongest demo release by Force Majeure and judged on this release it´s a real shame that they disbanded and therefore never got the chance to release a studio album. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is well deserved.

UMUR "Demo 2" is the second demo recording by Danish heavy metal act Force Majeure. The demo was released in 1989 and features one lineup change since the first demo as Tommi Rahm has been added to the lineup as a second guitarist. The band would shortly changed their name to Crime Academy in 1990 after a big lineup shuffle and they recorded one two-track demo under the Crime Academy monicker before changing their name back to Force Majeure. They recorded one last demo as Force Majeure before calling it quits in 1991. The material from all three Force Majeure demos were compiled and released on the "Force Majeure" compilation album in January 2010 through Steel Legacy Records.

Stylistically the material on this second demo continue the sophisticated, melodic, and powerful heavy metal style with nods towards power metal and neo-classical metal, which was initiated on the first demo. Force Majeure are a very well playing band and although lead vocalist Per Onink (ex-Artillery) sometimes sounds a little strained when trying to hit the really high notes, his performance here is still pretty strong.

Compared to the first demo I think this demo is slightly less interesting and production wise is also lacks a bit more power and heaviness to compete with the preceding demo release. It´s still a good quality demo release and fans of sophisticated heavy metal should find loads to appreciate here. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Demo 1" is the first demo recording by Danish heavy metal act Force Majeure. The demo was independently released in 1988. Force Majeure formed in 1983 and various points during their career included former and future members of Artillery. They were originally called Apocalypse but changed their name to Force Majeure in 1988. They shortly changed their name to Crime Academy in 1990 and then back to Force Majeure later the same year. They disbanded in 1991 after releasing one demo as Apocalypse, one demo as Crime Academy and three demos as Force Majeure (the Crime Academy demo was released between the second and third Force Majeure demos).

So complicated band history explained this is the first demo recording by Force Majeure under that monicker. The material from this demo along with the material from the other two Force Majeure demos were compiled and released on the "Force Majeure" compilation album in January 2010 through Steel Legacy Records, which is probably the easiest way to get a hold of the material these days.

Since the June 1986 "Out in the Night..." Apocalypse demo, there have been quite a few lineup changes (and of course a band name change). The two remaining members from the Apocalypse days are guitarist Jesper Schmidt and drummer Morten Nielsen. New in the lineup are bassist Peter Thorslund (who would depart in 1990 to join Artillery), and lead vocalist Per Onink, who was the original vocalist in Artillery.

While Apocalypse was a relatively raw but still melodic inclined heavy metal act, Force Majeure are generally more melodic, epic, and adds more power metal and neo-classical elements to their sound. It´s quite a sophisticated take on heavy metal but Force Majeure are skilled performers and pull it off with both passion and great conviction.

The demo opens with two tracks featuring lead vocals and closes with the instrumental "Oblivion", which is quite the impressive instrumental where Schmidt really lets rip. Upon conclusion this demo is both well produced, well performed, and the mateiral is memorable and powerful. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.