REVIEW: ENFORCER “NOSTALGIA”

Swedish heavy metal band ENFORCER formed in 2005 by lead vocalist and guitarist Olof Wikstrand. The first two albums Into The Night (2008) and Diamonds (2010) established the band’s loyal fanbase and left a long-lasting imprint in the heavy metal world. With increasing success in the underground scene, ENFORCER led and created a worldwide movement later referred to as ‘the new wave of traditional heavy metal’. In 2012 the Swedes were recognised for their impressive musical repertoire and signed a worldwide record deal with the biggest metal label in the world, Nuclear Blast Records. Since then, the band have released three more studio albums with Death by Fire (2013), From Beyond (2015) and Zenith (2019). To date, ENFORCER have toured the world over, playing the biggest festivals and garnering a global fanbase. The culmination of their tireless work ethic resulting in the release of two live albums, Live By Fire (2015) and Live By Fire II (2021).

ENFORCER have proved themselves both live and on record, and in 2023 they stake their place amongst the world’s most renowned heavy metal bands.

ENFORCER have returned with yet another uncompromising heavy metal album titled
Nostalgia. The album is a reflective look at everything that once existed and a reminder that life is in a constant state of change. It’s a confrontation of the eventuality that, through the destructive force of time, everything withers and ceases to exist. All matter decays into nothingness. The blindsiding new studio album Nostalgia, featuring 13 heavy metal anthems, throws ENFORCER back to their speed metal roots. Fusing extreme guitar riffing with catchy stadium choruses, ENFORCER are out to conquer the world with their sixth and most hotly
anticipated album to date!

Nuclear Blast Records

Line up:
Olof Wikstrand – vocals, guitars
Jonathan Nordwall – guitars
Garth Condit – bass
Jonas Wikstrand – drums, piano, keyboards

Review

It has seemed like an eternity since Enforcer released Zenith. And now in 2023 they are finally back recharged and reenergised with their brand new album “Nostalgia.” This is one album i was waiting to get my teeth sunk into.

I have been eagerly waiting to get stuck into this album as it has been far too long since I had a good dose of new music from Enforcer. First up is the track Armageddon which is simple introduction made up of airy synth ideas latched a delicate angelic voice. Top this with a nice guitar melody and keys and there you go!

Unshackle Me takes off with big open guitar chords that ring out into the distance. I love how the sparkling and heavenly sound of the synth notes that act as a bed to the classic guitar work of this song! Olof uses plenty of dynamics and flair with his voice throughout the music that gives the music heartfelt feelings and emotions! And I have to say from the moment the song started it felt glossed with old skool vibes which I love! The solo is a particular highlight for me and the production really helps to make the solo standout as it soars through the clouds! Enforcer are back and on form! What a great start to the album!

Next up is the very lively and in your face song known as Coming Alive! One of the first singles released from “Nostalgia,” this is classic Enforcer in all their glory! Get ready for the start of the track with Olof’s high pitched screams that shatter your mind like glass The tracks then kicks in, full of adrenaline and pumped to the max with ripping guitars that will shred the skin from your bones! This track is a frenzy of great ideas, speed and pure metal magic! Another killer track!

The delicate tones of acoustic guitars opens the next song Heartbeats. This is more of a slower tempo track to begin. However this soon changes with ramped up, fierce vocals that will tear you ear drums apart and a faster pace. The song sails between passages of slower moving guitar work and burning hard rock ideas that would reign high in the 80’s. Once again the solo is pure electric, with the voltage turned up to the max! This song will definitely make you heart beat!

Get ready for another fiery track by the name of Demons. Hear the demons call echo out before you are catapulted into some pure metal madness. All I can say is that song will make you break into a sweat and want to throw the horns violently. Imagine a hot summers night, in your favourite venue, drinking with your buddies. You are pressed up against the barrier and headbanging violently. This is the track that will be playing blasted at you with full force!

There are no signs of slowing down as Kiss of Death is out to rattle your bones. Expect to be pummelled with double kick by Jonas and melodies from Olof and Johnathan that would literally melt steel! Garth’s bass could easily shake the earth and not to mention vocals that will come at you like a thunderstorm! Once again this song has been injected with a a heavy dose of attitude! And as we approach half way through the album, I must say that I’m quite impressed!

When i first heard the album title track Nostalgia, I was pleasantly surprised as it was certainly something i wasn’t expecting as a single. This is another fantastic song which has a focus on beautiful acoustic guitars and Olofs mesmerising vocal lines. However it does throw in load of roaring rhythms and a heroic solo that shines bright against the sky! It is a great song that steps back from the faster tempos and gives the album space to breathe which is warmly welcomed!

We move on from Nostalgia to the next song No Tomorrow and this certainly has plenty of swagger like Mick Jagger! This is certainly a fun party song with plenty of bounce and an uplifting feel to it . Playing this through, I could not help but smile, especially at the addition of some tambourines. The song combines hard rock vibes, a sight pop tone at moments and of course hot to touch guitar licks that will raise the hairs on your neck!

At the End of the Rainbow is another up tempo feel good song that will not disappoint. Imagine driving along a long road at night, heat coming off the tarmac as you head towards the sunset. The wind through your hair, sunglasses on and enjoying life! This is one of the best ways I can describe this track. If you loved harmonised guitar work, the chance to sing you heart out and stomp your feet this will certainly deliver. The solo changes the tone completely as once again I feel it takes you back in time, with the retro feel that it gives off and soft acoustics that back this. The production of the song only helps to polish this song off more!

Did someone just throw some spice and flavour into the fire because Metal Supremacía explodes like a fireball! Like a comet rocketing through the night sky, this track comes at you full blast packing the heat! This song is quite short but fully loaded and out to mean business! Enforcer continue to bring the metal in the way they know best! Hard, fast and heavy!

Enforcer are seasoned musicians and they certainly know how to deliver a stadium anthem! White Lights in the USA is just one of those but you better not look it in the eyes because this track is out to get you! Coming at you like a freight train, It’s full steam ahead with bells cracking the air all around. It’s fast, it’s furious and gives you yet another opportunity to headbang yourself into a a daze. This feels like another throw back to the 80’s igniting that hair metal vibe! One of my favourite tracks on the album by far!

Enforcer have shown with Nostalgia that they know how create an album that doesn’t have to follow any hard or fast rules. Keep The Flame Alive is a perfect example of this as it bounces between heavy metal and more poppy ideas, but done in the right way. And this is actually quite catchy for some reason! It shows that the band are indeed very talented musicians that draw inspiration from multiple genres to create their own unique blend. The harmonised solo section for instance is backed by a bouncing rhythm section which shows of this blend! It nods back gently to some of their previous records but keeps on course to being another really enjoyable track.

And now we reach the end of the album and we are taken out with the belting track When the Thunder Roars (Crossfire). In true Enforcer style, this song encompasses everything that makes the band who they are. Amazing guitar work, catchy choruses, vocals that are unforgettable and solos that are like lightning. Raging faster than the speed of light, this song jets off towards the horizon and does it such a brilliant way. Olof finishes the album with how he started it . With one big metal scream! Fantastic

Conclusion

What can I say! Enforcer are back on form and it makes me shed a man tear. This album is absolutely brilliant and after a number of years waiting for their return, It was truly worth the wait. It has everything you could want from an Enforcer record. They have gone back to their roots, delivering pure metal magic that will not disappoint the most hard core fan. This is an album far from the sounds of Zenith and will easily stand strong among the other records in the bands discography!

THENWOTHM SCORE: 10/10

Release Date: 05.05.2023

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enforcerofficial

Bandcamp: https://enforcer.bandcamp.com/album/nostalgia

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