UMUR "Summon Thy Demons" is the second full-length studio album by Swedish thrash metal act Mezzrow. The album was released through Fireflash Records in April 2023. Mezzrow formed in 1985 under the Necromancy monicker but changed their name to the current one in 1988. They recorded two demos under the Mezzrow monicker before being signed for the release of their debut full-length studio album "Then Came the Killing", which was released by Active Records in 1990. "Then Came the Killing" ended up being Mezzrow´s sole album release in their original run, as they disbanded after recording a 1991 demo. They shortly reunited in 2005 which resulted in the release of the "...Then Came the Video" compilation video release, but it wasn´t until 2021 that Mezzrow opted for a more serious reformation. Only two members remain from the lineup who recorded "Then Came the Killing" but 33 years down the line that´s perfectly understandable. The members who remain from the debut album are lead vocalist Uffe Pettersson and bassist/backing vocalist Conny Welén. New in the lineup are Jon Skäre (drums), Magnus Söderman (lead guitars), and Ronnie Björnström (guitars).

To my ears "Then Came the Killing" was close to being a Testament worship release, and while "Summon Thy Demons" is arguably a more mature, meaty, and heavy release, featuring influences from other more melodic thrash metal artists like Forbidden and Heathen too, Testament is still a big influence on Mezzrow´s sound. So it is in the field of the more melodic (yet still aggressive and edgy) Bay Area thrash metal sound that Mezzrow deliver their sharp thrashy riffs and rhythms.

"Summon Thy Demons" features a heavy, powerful, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well and fans of latter day Forbidden and Heathen releases shouldn´t be disappointed at neither the songwriting style, the high level musicianship, or the sound production values of the album. There are many similarities to what artists like those produce these days. So upon conclusion "Summon Thy Demons" is a welcome comeback release from Mezzrow and fans of the genre should find lots to appreciate here, although it´s doutbful they´ll find anything here they haven´t heard before...but that´s not really the point with this type of release now is it? A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

1967/ 1976 Power Thrash is not a genre easily described, since the definition is the same as the Techno Thrash. However we define the musical proposal of Mezzrow as: Thrash rhythmic, Thrash guitars but writing and arrangements Power Metal. Only it's not so easy to understand where the component Thrash Metal end and where the component Power Metal begins, also because of very Thrash voice on style and timbre. Also the production is Thrash Metal for style (also if the drums sound is not perfect due to tuning. In every case Staffe Karlsson is a good axeman in soli.

In true view Mezzrow plays a good Thrash, not too technical but with great tons of feelings. Similar to Venom but with more Bay Area attitude. "The Final Holocaust" is a good song: Power Metal (Helloween) parts (and soli) alternate to pure Bay Area Thrash parts in a good song that have Prog Metal flavour, also if 100% Thrash Metal. The feeling of this song is emotional. The tempo of song is similar to NWoBHM bands but the rhythms are very tight and I must say that "Frozen Soul" is an excellent example of Techno Thrash at the limit of Speed Metal. It is equally true that the songs are very dry and direct, the other thing that I appreciate very much in Mezzrow style. All these ingredients are mixed so that the parties fast (mostly with tight rhythms) seem twice fast as parts without tight. Interesting are the fast parts where the guitars are only more fast but not more aggressive. However I would not say that Mezzrow is a melodic band.

In definitive "Then Came The Killing" is a good album. It is a pity that Mezzrow didn't have other chances. They would have earned, also if "Then Came The Killing" is only an honest album with huge potential.