Album Review: Enforced – War Remains (Century Media)
Richmond, Virginia-based band Enforced return with their third full-length studio album ‘War Remains’, out on April 28th, 2023, via Century Media Records.
Startling in its simplicity but undeniably Enforced, War Remains is a showcase of aggressive intent. Barely passing the half hour mark, the ten tracks featured here all have one goal, to wreck necks.
Kicking off with Aggressive Menace, it’s a frenzied start for Enforced both instrumentally and vocally. The thrashy mayhem they produce is the stuff circle pit dreams are made of.
The intensity is upped even more though with The Quickening, a track that finds Enforced growling, gurning, and greedily producing some stunning riffs. Before Hanged by My Hand and Avarice come crashing through the mental defences with all the force of a swung sledgehammer. Enforced’s goal here is well and truly being met, and it is freaking awesome.
Having something so simply focused on circle-pit mayhem, head-banging intensity, and a giving of sweat and blood, is refreshing in a way. Especially when its coming from a band as talented and convincing as Enforced.
No further proof needed than the ferocity-fixated title track, the shock and awe of Mercy Killing Fields, the thrashy tribute that is Nation of Fear, and the freaking chaotic Ultra Violence. Track after track of Enforced breaking bones and smashing skulls. What’s not to love?
Especially as the album is kept tight. Over before you’ve even had time to let it fully sink in. Enforced making sure they have your complete attention though as they continue to pulsate and bristle with furious intent on Starve. Before delivering one last hefty, hard, and heavy hit with the monstrous head-banger that is Empire.
They’re an awesome band and an album as focused as this, just proves it.
Enforced – War Remains Track Listing:
1. Aggressive Menace
2. The Quickening
3. Hanged by My Hand
4. Avarice
5. War Remains
6. Mercy Killing Fields
7. Nation of Fear
8. Ultra Violence
9. Starve
10. Empire
Links
Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Enforced - War Remains (Century Media)
-
The Final Score - 8/10
8/10