Swedish metal band Enforcer are back with their latest album, ”Death by fire”. It’s their third album, and their first for their new record label, Nuclear Blast.
The album clocks in at around 35 minutes – like all of Enforcer’s albums, it’s deliberately been kept under 40 minutes. Singer Olof Wikstrand explains : “We write all music for the vinyl format and a normal LP can never be longer than 19 minutes on each side without losing sound quality. None of my favourite records are longer than 39 minutes anyway. It’s the perfect length both in that sense as well as keeping up an interest from the listener throughout the whole record.” With the resurgence of interest in vinyl, then it probably makes good commercial sense to remember it’s limitations and time the album accordingly.
The album title and the song titles are all tied together with a common theme – death (although Crystal Suite might be an exception – I can’t see a link to death there). The music is hard and heavy with quite a strong NWOBHM feel to it. The vocals are powerful but are quite high pitched and remind me slightly of the band Hell.
Brief comments on a few tracks..
”Death rides this night” is probably my favourite song on the album – some great vocals and great guitar work combine in this fast paced high energy song.
”Crystal suite” is an instrumental, and a good one too.
The final track on the album, ”Satan” is fast and heavy but the vocals are higher pitched here than on any of the other songs – a little too high for my taste, but still good.
It’s a great album – heavy and fast paced with plenty of energy – well worth a listen
”Death by fire” is out on 1st February 2013 via Nuclear Blast records
Track listing:
1. Bells Of Hades
2. Death Rides This Night
3. Run For Your Life
4. Mesmerized By Fire
5. Take Me Out Of This Nightmare
6. Crystal Suite
7. Sacrificed
8. Silent Hour / The Conjugation
9. Satan
Enforcer are:
Olof Wikstrand – vocals, guitar
Joseph Toll – guitar
Tobias Lindqvist – bass
Jonas Wikstrand – drums
