Enforcer: Zenith (2019)

I have been a huge Enforcer fan since hearing Diamonds for the first time in 2010.  It was their blend of NWOBHM style riffs with the pop sensibilities of groups like Def Leppard, particularly on songs like "High Roller" and "Running in Menace".  It was definitely a retro sound, and even a little cheesy at times, but goddamn they were fucking good at it.  The songs were catchy as hell.  And as good as Diamonds was, Enforcer kept getting better on each new release.  Their last album, From Beyond was their best yet.  And so, I was definitely looking forward to a new Enforcer album.

Unfortunately, as good as this album is, it is not as good as any of the three previous releases.  Maybe Diamonds, but not Death by Fire and definitely not From Beyond.  Enforcer is trying to do something different here, perhaps not wanting to get too stale.  Unfortunately, that messed with the formula that had made Enforcer so impressive before.  Now I mentioned before that Enforcer always had pop melodies on occasion.  What changed on this release was that the band became more and more focused on these melodies, to the detriment of the obviously more metal riffing.  This is apparent from the beginning with the gang vocals leading into "Die for the Devil".  The accompanying riffs are just a little too much like the kind of rock and metal that infested the airways in the 1980's.  A lot of the aggression is gone for a much more radio-friendly sound.  The ballads in particular are maybe a step too far away from what this band used to do so well, particularly the piano-driven "Regrets". 

There is still some good stuff on this release and I do not want to give the impression that I truly dislike this album.  Liking and album and being disappointed by it are not mutually exclusive.  "Searching for You" is something of a return to form for the band, capturing the speed metal intensity that marked some of the best moments from their earlier albums.  There are also moments such as "The End of a Universe" and "Forever We Worship the Dark" which come close to the band's prior material. 

This is probably the most varied and dynamic Enforcer album to date.  The band has taken a lot of risks with this release, departing from what made their previous albums so great.  Unfortunately, they have gone a bit too far.  This would be really bad for most bands except for one thing: the songs are still catchy as hell.  So even though I was disappointed by the direction the band took on this release, I still find myself singing a lot of these songs in my head well after I have finished listening to the album.  Enforcer is coming to Nebraska soon in support of Warbringer and I will have to attend.  I have liked this band for a long time, and I still like this album.  Time to see them live.