Even when they were new, they were easy to sort as “ Power Trip support”, and although they’re now a front-runner in that kingdom, they seem as yet unsuited to take the crown. Not to mention that rather than being architects of their genre and thus relatively above complaints of conformity, Enforced aren’t even the architects of the newest wave of crossover thrash revival. I feel like Enforced have the consistency that some find commendable in a Cannibal Corpse or Overkill type, doing that kind of boilerplate song-farming that can put out albums every 2 years, but I think they’ve settled their style too early. Three albums in, though, I’m not sure it’ll ever grab me the same way again. I sure did, back when At The Walls first came out and the boys were hitting the road with the likes of Red Death and High Command. If this kind of honed, sleek thrash feels good rattling in your ears, you should by all means see the show, grab the shirt, and have a good time. Workhorses like this are the backbone of the metal world, buoying up labels and touring lineups with easy-to-move goods, release after release. I still buy every Overkill record that comes out just on the name alone, because they’ve spent a long-ass time convincing me it’ll always be worth it. In some ways, it’s commendable to see Enforced establishing a reliable standard of work and getting it out there on time. Expect unimpeachable execution, but not surprises. You are in a 4-Star Michelin Ranked thrashtaurant. Enforced are equally at ease strumming along on the single note strut or gnashing teeth with jumpy anchor riffs. Signal the waiter and you’ll be served up a variety of crooked retools of the sick-ass riff from the middle of “Angel Of Death”. War Remains pulls the ripcord in its chest and start sawing away on its E-strings, dressed in the sensibly conservative all-black ensemble of Marshall Amp Thrash Tone. There ain’t gonna be no swelling chorus or sinking reprise. Look at these track names, look at this monochromatic art. In fact, perhaps they’re just a little too good at crowd-pleasing, not rocking the boat and coasting along on good feelings of administrations past. They’ve got recognition, presence, and most crossover competition ( Ninth Realm, Foreseen, and the like) in their rearview. Striking out on their third album, Enforced stand at a point where they could run for the Mayor of Thrashtown. Also the merch costs too much but you’re already in the door Oh My God could this be any more labored let’s get to the bands. Before I segue out of the metaphor, I also want to point out that like theme park attendees, thrash fans have a reputation for overindulgence on site that leads to ejection. Maybe it’s all just a bit too exhausting in one go, but as a man once said: Buy the ticket, take the ride. When an old favorite isn’t drawing the crowds anymore, or has internal breakdowns that halt operations, it means some new boneshaker has to take its place and keep asses in crotch-splitting plastic seats. Why not take the kids on down to Thrashtown, metal’s longest-running thrill-ride amusement park? If I’ve learned anything from Kevin Perjurer, the park never closes but the rides come and go. Summer is on the way, sooner than you think.
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