UMUR "Aeon of the Shadow Goddess" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Finnish blackened death/thrash metal act Forgotten Horror. The album was released through Woodcut Records in May 2015. Forgotten Horror was formed in 2004 and released their debut full-length studio album "The Serpent Creation" in 2011. It´s essentially a two-piece constellation consisting of Tuomas Karhunen (Keyboards, Programming, Bass, Guitars) and Kassara (Drum arrangements). I suspect that drum arrangements in this case means programmed drums, but I´m actually not sure. The album also features a couple of guests performing lead guitars, and female singer Mariann Hermansson who delivers occasional operatic type soprano vocals.

The music on "The Serpent Creation (2011)" was a powerful combination of black, death, and thrash metal rooted in the early 90s death/thrash metal scene. Frenetic, fast-paced, and aggressive. The core of the band´s music hasn´t changed on "Aeon of the Shadow Goddess", as we´re still exposed to a combination of black, death, and thrash metal elements, but Forgotten Horror have been a bit more ambitious this time around, and have, with the use of keyboards/piano, female operatic singing, and a generally more melodic approach, gone for a more epic sound on "Aeon of the Shadow Goddess". The music is also a lot more dynamic, than the case was on the more straight forward debut, with both loud bombastic epic sections, blasting aggression, and more quiet parts.

The material on the 9 track, 45:33 minutes long album is well written and relatively varied within it´s genre. The operatic vocals (which sometimes are used as atmosphere enhancing backing choirs) and the keyboards are the extra spice which makes this release a bit more special than what you usually hear in this type of music, because the basic metal elements are pretty standard fare. Fast-paced and at times heavier death/thrashy riffing, a rabid dog snarling vocalist, and pounding beats. It´s nothing you haven´t heard before, but Forgotten Horror are just different enough to make their mark, and the compositions are also well written and relatively memorable. The musicianship is also strong, and the sound production clear and powerful so a 3.5 star (70%) rating is well deserved.

UMUR "The Serpent Creation" is the debut full-length studio album by Finnish blackened death/thrash metal act Forgotten Horror. The album was released through Woodcut Records in September 2011.

The music on "The Serpent Creation" is a powerful mix of black, death and thrash metal. While the music reeks early nineties death/thrash aestethics, the blackened edge makes it an even more rabid and aggressive experience. And boy are we talking furiously fast-paced aggression. The pace in the music is generally fast to blasting with a few heavier mid-paced parts thrown in for variation (there are some predominantly mid-paced tracks on the album too like "For Thy Crimson Glory") and the effect is not completely unlike being hit by a tornado. The rabid dog sneer of lead vocalist/guitarist Tuomas Karhunen sits perfectly with the rest of the music. An absolutely caustic vocal delivery if I ever heard one. The lyrics are a good blend of anti-Christian and occult themes and work well with the other stylistic elements that the band conjure up. But while the music certainly is aggressive to the bone, the band don´t neglect to include melodic guitar themes for hook effect to make the album a more diverse musical experience and it ultimately results in the album having a higher "come back for more spins" factor.

Overall "The Serpent Creation" is one hell of a powerful, aggressive, well produced, well written and well played affair and it´s been a very positive experience listening to the album. The 35:19 minutes long album is over before you know it, and I´m left wanting more. A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.