Enforcer - Diamonds
Earache Records have once again been snapping up bands in current trends, starting with the death metal explosion, then the thrash explosion a couple of years ago. Digby and co, always seem to have their finger on the pulse of metal, here we have a leading light in the NWOTHM genre from Sweden preparing for heavy metal battle. Along with label mates Cauldron, there is promise in the younger generation as our classic bands sadly hang up their boots or in some cases chose ill-fated reunion tours.
Following on from their triumphant ‘Into the Night’ release that headed down some speed metal routes, ‘Diamonds’ certainly has more classic New Wave (NWOBHM) running through it’s veins. Some of the tunes remind me of the first Iron Maiden album or in some cases (like the intro to ‘Running in Menace’) has ‘Piece of Your Action’ - Motley CrÜe written all over it. So we have established Enforcer’s pedigree, but in simple terms does it work? Hell yeah! There is a classic sound in the production, and even the lost notes in the vocals from Olof Wikstrand, who himself reminds me of a young Sebastian Bach, especially on stage, this gives you a classic album, sounding as if it were recorded in one take, it’s brash it’s raw it’s heavy metal. ‘Katana’ is particularly infectious, a sing-a-long classic in the making and very easily memorable. Hooks and melodies litter this release I have to pinch myself to remind me that it is 2010, simple riffs compliment all those classic traits displayed on ‘Diamonds’. Even the title track, an instrumental, is very much appealing, although the whole album is something that you may have heard before from around the world, but it is the execution that is stellar. The only thing I was looking for was a heavier sound in 2010, but then, as the music originates from 1980, it may as well sound like that period.
‘Diamonds’ is a fist raising traditional heavy metal release, whether you want to ‘Live for the Night’ or be taken to hell, this is something that the old dogs and the young generation can easily digest. Get out your bullet belt, denim or leather, and rejoice in the music that spawned a previous generation performed by the new generation.
Following on from their triumphant ‘Into the Night’ release that headed down some speed metal routes, ‘Diamonds’ certainly has more classic New Wave (NWOBHM) running through it’s veins. Some of the tunes remind me of the first Iron Maiden album or in some cases (like the intro to ‘Running in Menace’) has ‘Piece of Your Action’ - Motley CrÜe written all over it. So we have established Enforcer’s pedigree, but in simple terms does it work? Hell yeah! There is a classic sound in the production, and even the lost notes in the vocals from Olof Wikstrand, who himself reminds me of a young Sebastian Bach, especially on stage, this gives you a classic album, sounding as if it were recorded in one take, it’s brash it’s raw it’s heavy metal. ‘Katana’ is particularly infectious, a sing-a-long classic in the making and very easily memorable. Hooks and melodies litter this release I have to pinch myself to remind me that it is 2010, simple riffs compliment all those classic traits displayed on ‘Diamonds’. Even the title track, an instrumental, is very much appealing, although the whole album is something that you may have heard before from around the world, but it is the execution that is stellar. The only thing I was looking for was a heavier sound in 2010, but then, as the music originates from 1980, it may as well sound like that period.
‘Diamonds’ is a fist raising traditional heavy metal release, whether you want to ‘Live for the Night’ or be taken to hell, this is something that the old dogs and the young generation can easily digest. Get out your bullet belt, denim or leather, and rejoice in the music that spawned a previous generation performed by the new generation.
1. Midnight Vice
2. Roll The Dice
3. Katana
4. Running Menace
5. High Roller
6. Diamonds (instrumental)
7. Live For The Night
8. Nightmares
9. Walk With Me
10. Take Me To Hell
