STEINMETAL (9/10)

Again something that I have been expecting for a little more than two years, yes I have been looking forward to taste the new ENFORCER album, a Swedish Metal band that I have been monitoring its progress since their debut EP back in 2006. I also had a chance to review their previous two releases that cracked open a hedge in time, throwing me back to Metal's starting point. This year, a bit murkier, but still robust and wild motherfuckers, ENFORCER storm with a new album, "Death By Fire", under their newly giant label, Nuclear Blast Records that surely got hanged to general for their arsenal. Still relentless, a persona shorter in their lineup (Second guitarist), ENFORCER seemed consistent in their efforts to preserve the old Metal code and way of life. As the Brits have barely been in the game of NWOBHM, this Olof Wikstrand and crew took the chance and reins to lead vintage Metal into the new millennium. As far as their career has been going, they are still in command with "Death By Fire", a firestorm from the underworld never to stopped.

Before stepping into the release, I have to be frank with you guys. Over the years ENFORCER became, at least for me, as one of the leading forces in old school Metal's revival process and they sure have the deeds to prove just that. On the other hand, especially after listening to "Death By Fire", ENFORCER has been successful as mere saviors of once a flourishing genre in Metal that died away in the 90s. Of course that there is a striking talent at work here as well, but it is still not everything. If NWOBHM was still relevant twenty years, I am sure that they would have been just another band. So how "Death By Fire" has anything to do with what I just stated? Well it is pretty simple. ENFORCER live, breath, drink and eat NWOBHM for breakfast, also the first wave of Speed Metal by the way. I know that they would probably never change anything in their music, and I dare them not to, but in time their passionate British style riffing, full throttle rhythms, hooking melodic lines, song arrangements, and even singing rhythms will become apparent, reprising themselves over and over. I guess that in the far future they would have to find an answer for that. Diehard fans of the old guard wouldn't mind that much, but everything can happen.

With that said there is "Death By Fire". In general it was rather roughly produced than the softer touches of "Diamonds", the band's ultimate release to date (My top of tops of 2010). I liked the crunchy sound that drove the album to sound like an old vinyl, but I would have preferred the early template. Furthermore, ENFORCER locked on to the speedy rhythms al'a MOTORHEAD and SATAN, other than favoring the mid tempo chops. Nonetheless, those rapid installments were covered with those fine early IRON MAIDENish harmonies displayed by great guitar playing along with fabulous bass layers tutored by the old Steve Harris antics. "Satan", "Sacrificed" and "Run For Your Life" demolished as being energetic and entertaining created and performed in a fine quality. When there were mid tracking, it was always for a few moments as the raging it seemed that swiftness tended to play a bigger part, ENFORCER were definitely as if foreigners of this time zone, a true relic sent from far beyond with "Take Me Out Of This Nightmare", "Mesmerized By Fire" and "Silent Hour / The Conjugation". That latter was a bit more epic the others with a fine demonstration of skill on creating above the common type riffing. On both cases, I almost forgot to mention the decisive drumming, so masterful, might be simple but with no trends, same goes for the constant vocals that still conveys the power of youth and the lead guitar licks that amplified the undying sound of old Marshalls in action.

In general, "Death By Fire" is yet another successful distribution of NWOBHM made by Swedish hands, never letting go of the past. Though I commented on the usage of the same patterns throughout the songs, ENFORCER won me over with their performance but still something to think about for the later stages of the band's career.

METTLEANGEL (8/10)

As The "Bells Of Hades" chime, so do we welcome "Death By Fire". The third thrashing rage that is ENFORCER from Sweden. These Speed Kings are on the loose and look-out, having sacrificed everything. On this debut for Nuclear Blast Records, they are finally earning the respect they deserve.

Their sophomore high roller "Diamonds" released in 2010 on Earache Records was a promised blessing, and an absolute masterpiece. "Death By Fire" still burns and ignites my inner passions, but with the loss of the evil attack of two axemen tearing it up; just like the flight of Icarus, these black angels may have singed their wings of destiny. Joseph Tholl - for whom the bells of Hades ring out their death knell - shreds with the best of them. His guitar work is top notch. For what now seems to be a custom, namely to include an instrumental on every album, "Crystal Suite" verifies this very assertion. As would be expected, the hyper speed and intensity is ever present for every blistering track; however, "Death By Fire" does not burn as bright as "Diamonds" or the sifting lights of "Into The Night".

The wicked Wikstrand brothers continue to write some searing cuts. Olaf has that scream of the savage beast that pierces even the faintest of hearts. While Jonas pounds that distress from Hell call of the attacker right into your skull. Clearly there is not one song on here that does not curse the light.

I would be amiss to not mention the pervasive early METALLICA references. Hell,"Death Rides The Night" sounds like a reworking of "Hit The Lights". However, when you consider the acts that inspired Lars and his METALLICAHOLICS, then you can get a grip on the sounds that ENFORCER echo, when they roll the dice, and cast their aspersions. In fact, a burner like "Silent Hour / The Conjugation" has more in common with OZ from Finland, than it does with anything those Bay Area Bands were trying to achieve. "Satan" may remind you of "Phantom Lord" meets "Metal Militia", but I actually hear the song by the same name by Germany's own WARRANT.

When you consider "Riders Of Doom" by DEATHROW or the first MANDATOR album, you also hear those perennial METALLICA myths, ever present, and still viable today. I am grateful that a band like ENFORCER stick to their guns, and play that NWOBHM speed style that influenced the BIG FOUR.

Many influential bands like TYGERS OF PAN TANG, SAVAGE, BLITZKRIEG, DIAMOND HEAD, TANK, etc. are still active today, but they have all taken on a more Bluesy and rockin' flavor. Thankfully, ENFORCER are all about high speed delivery, and tearing it up into the night! Fans of North Carolina's WIDOW, WHITE WIZZARD, SKULL FIST, or other Power acts from the Swedish north such as WOLF, MEANSTREAK, STEELWING, KATANA and RAM will truely appeciate and be mesmerized by the fire and passion that ENFORCER wield.

In contrast, I find the new HOLY GRAIL album to be such an utter disappointment with their added, unnecessary breakdowns and harsh vocal screams. Maybe I am showing my age, but when a band chooses to cover KING DIAMOND, PRIEST, RAINBOW, and ACCEPT, I expect their personal albums to be 100% Classic Metal, not Modern Metalcore! Hell, even the new ALL THAT REMAINS and latest SHADOWS FALL sound better than this, and they have been playing this style for well over a decade. When I hear HOLY GRAIL I expect that Traditional Euro-sound. I know that I digress, but only to make the point that ENFORCER mean business, and business is good! With improved production values, more thought-out song structures and that ever present moving' midnight vice, I highly recommend becoming burned by their scorching touch. Heed the call of the ENFORCER.