UMUR "The Difference Engine" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK, London based death metal act Dãm. The album was released through Candlelight Records in January 2007.

The music on the album pretty much continues the Carcass (early- to mid nineties) influenced death metal style that Dãm initiated on their debut full-length studio album "Purity: The Darwinian Paradox (2005)". Another reference could be Cancer. The music is varied both when it comes to tempo and riffing style and the same can be said about the vocals which vary between deeper growling and a more sneering high pitched delivery. It´s obvious the band are full of great ideas, but despite of that it´s not always they are capable of writing memorable songs, and that´s probably the major issue with "The Difference Engine". It´s well played and relatively well produced but it doesn´t leave a lasting impression. The same was actually the case with the debut, which featured a lot of promise and moments of brutal and technically well played bliss, but overall failed to leave an impression.

I had my hopes up high for this sophomore release by Dãm, but it´s a bit disappointing that the band have made so few advances, when it comes to writing more memorable material and since they have both the musicianship and the sound production down, I´d recommend that they concentrate all efforts on writing more catchy material the next time around. Isolated seen "The Difference Engine" is still a pretty good quality album and I´d say a 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating isn´t all wrong.

arcane-beautiful This band wasn't added to this site until I stepped in and requested them. Now I can see why that is.

I've had this album for a whilst (it was in my local HMV and I thought meh, why not). I then listened to it, and went...meh. For ages it had been gathering dust in my CD collection. I forgot I even had it, then I remembered it, and thought, meh I might as well review this. So I listened to it for the 2nd time, and nothing had changed.

I didn't see the band in any new light, I still just went meh. Ok, now the album isn't too bad, it's listenable and enjoyable to a point, but I've heard most of all this before. Their sound is unique in a sense that it takes aload of different sides of death metal and joins them together, but at times your just thinking, "this only makes me want to listen to Death...or Decapitaed...or Carcass...", or whatever classic death metal band this band makes you think of.

Now their sound is basically mid career Death, with the odd influence thrown in now and then. I mean it, I think this band is a Death copycat at times, in fact I think they're a cover band. Now if they were doing Death songs...that's great, I like Death...but their own material isn't as strong (well some of it is quite good, especially one song in particular). The band also have odd proggy moments, which gives it a uniqueness, but even then, it's a bit overindulgent. With time changes every other second, riffs that don't need to be brought in, and a very sporadic structure, the songs at times can be slightly overbearing...and they're not even that long.

Now their are some positives. The guitar work is pretty cool at times, especially riff wise. The instrumentation isn't too bad either.

Lyricacally the band do what Death do, and write about humanity, the odd exestentionalism now and then, self reflection. You know, stuff that Chuck Schulinder used to talk about. The vocals are pretty cool at times, but sometimes can feel strained, and the vocalist at times will try things that he really shouldn't be trying.

1. The Difference Engine - Best song on the album. I love how the song jumps out at you from the start. Pretty cool vocals. Some really nice proggy moments and killer riffs. Very dark with a black metal vibe running throughout it to. The tempo changes throughout are pretty cool too. 9/10

2. Eyeballing - Some pretty cool grooves throughout. Their is a really cool atmospheric moment in it. The chorus lets it down a bit. 7/10

3. Outside - Love the tempo changes throughout. Nice tempo changes now and then. 6/10

4. Mirror Image Ritual - The riff is an obvious death ripp off. The dueling guitar sound is really cool. The clean vocals are pretty stupid though. The vocals are identical to Chuck at times. 7/10

5. Made Of Beasts - Vocals at times are forced, but at times are pretty cool (especially the Akercocke style ones). Too many changes at times. 6/10

6. Gangrene. Purlence. Impact. - Bit forgetfull. Some interesting solos, but their a bit too wankey at times. Some nice riffs tho. 5/10

7. A Wound That Never Heals - Love that tapping riff. Some nice lyrics, in fact their the best on the album. Some cool changes in tempo. At times it reminds me of Carcass. Love the blastbeats at the end. 8/10

8. New Quest - Boring. Does this album really need an instrumental? 4/10

9. This Has Nothing To Do With Apathy - Sounds a bit like a Celtic Frost rip off. Vocals at times are a bit strained. Nice doomy moments. Bit bland though. 5/10

CONCLUSION: I've been really generous with the mark. Was only going to give it 2, and then I was a bit sad for the band. So it's very rare when I do this, but meh, It'll have to do. The album is ok. Nothing really special, we've heard it all before, but I do admit, their are some great moments on it. Not my cup of tea all the way, but I think their future releases might suprise me.

5.4/10