ENFORCED is a Thrash Metal Crossover band from Richmond, VA. Formed in 2016, they have three full-length albums out. Their latest, War Remains, was released on April 28. 2023, via Century Media Records. It is 10 brutal tracks that should get you moving. If this doesn't, I'm not sure anything will. The first thing you will notice about this record is the aggressive guitar work. And that description fits because the song is called "Aggressive Menace." Blast beats, pounding bass and a dual guitar assault all hit you in the face. The whole thing is rounded out with harsh, distorted vocals that add even more fury to the fire.

"The Quickening" is more of the same, but this is what you wanted anyway. One thing I do really enjoy is that some of the guitar solos are melodic while others are shredding monstrosities. The melodic tones add a different feel to the songs, giving them a bit of an oxymoron... delicate brutality. Whether it's the belligerence of "Avarice" or the brutality of "War Remains," the music is heavy in all the ways you want it to be. This is Thrash on speed and steroids, that just took a pre-workout and is ready to freaking explode. If you have any pent up anger or are feeling a bit down, throw this album on and all that stuff will disappear. Half way through this one and you will be bouncing off the walls and your friends in the pit.

Tracks like "Ultra-Violence" and "Empire" conspire to throw you off a bit, adding in some Melodic and Doom riffage, but have no fear, there is nothing "light" about them. EMFORCED maintain their heaviness regardless of the genre they fuse into their very well-rounded sound. Their ability to shift and twist through other styles just adds to their excellence. One of the things I like most about this band is that they are from a town just over an hour south of where I currently live, so there is hope that I'll get to catch them live at some point. You can bet I'll damn sure be watching for any announcements of them playing a hometown show!