Here goes the second album release from US thrash metal crossover band Enforced. My expectation was of something lively.
There really aren’t any secrets here. It’s hard-hitting thrash metal with strong riffs, hardcore influences, flamboyant solos, breakneck drumming and of course loads of energy. I’m reminded of my old mates Dew Scented but then this reminds me of a lot of things. One thing’s for sure and that’s that Enforced would be a great live band. This comes across strongly in the recorded version. Opportunities for headbanging are plentiful but technically it’s tight and clean, and the songs are well structured. The solos help to regulate the tempo that the thrashing juggernaut dictates. But this is the land of all-out blasts. The short “Beneath Me” is just that. No strings are attached, and it serves to roar into the thrashing riff-driven “Malignance”. Heavy, hard, hammering and exciting is what it all is. I thought the title song was going to be more mellow but Enforced are just playing with us, reverted to type with another rampantly heavy piece. In this most mobile of mobile albums “Curtain Fire” has definite old school thrash n roll about it, and a hardcore chorus to boot. Again it has a great structure. I defy anyone to stay still when listening to it. The twisty guitar lines add colour and are reminiscent of The Haunted. As I listened to “Hemorrhage” I reflected that there’s no nonsense about this album. The tempo changes and there are breaks and transformations but this is hard thrash with melody and without compromise. There’s no wasted space for fripperies save the odd little atmospheric song outro. The singer roars to crunchy backgrounds and between them they confront us head on. The driving riff of “Blood Ribbon” has authority. This is punishment of the most acceptable kind. The album finishes as an album of this kind should: with an explosive energetic neck-snapping number. But as this whole album proves, that’s what Enforced do. Loving it.
“Kill Grid” is like a 41 minute race. It’s a fun journey. Bang your head and enjoy.
(9/10 Andrew Doherty)
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