Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Enforcer Into The Night Company: Heavy Artillery Release: 2008 Genre: Traditional Reviewer: Raising Iron

Worth the price of admission

Here we are in the midst of 2009 and the current wave of traditional/heavy/speed metal revivalism is bearing down into the collective metal psyche at full bore; multi-valved pistons relentlessly palpitating, barely contained by the engine of true heavy metal. Enter Enforcer, another revved-up, juiced up Swedish contender in the race accompanying the pole-positioned Wolf in their pursuit of torqued-up heavy metal.

Well, keeping the facts straight, Enforcer's Into The Night actually debuted in late 2008, but amidst the current surge of renaissance regaling heavy metal maniacs, the recent months are literally becoming a blur to this writer. Wolf, and their established brand of reincarnated ‘80's psychotomy are a perfect reference point for those who've yet to gather a gauge of Enforcer's inside track. High-pitched, scripted, and scrupulous vocals accompanied by an ever exacting axe attack is the vehicle of choice, neglecting pin-striping, spoilers, or any other flairs of the less secure; just take one listen to the title track, and you'll hear what I'm talking about. The exhilaration is merely beginning with that song though, as opening track "Black Angel", formidably wrapped in sonic savagery, as well as the instrumental "City Lights", favor a dashboard display of the guys' enthusiasm for metal's headier days where strength of melody, whether in the guitars or the vox, were of highest import.

There's not a bad track on the disc - although a couple of cruisers border on filler - and with a running time of a mere thirty-five minutes they once again recall the ‘80's and the typically shorter durations of that era. Though what really propels Enforcer to the front of the pack is the enthusiasm with which they rev their motors; the accelerator buried into the floorboard, brake pedals ripped out, helmets lying on the passenger seat in brazen defiance, daring any to admonish their abandoned willingness to play it safe. Into The Night is well worth the price of admission, and the bracing accelerations on display will leave the listener breathless, shrieking for more.