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"Less fast than in its early days, Enforcer offers with "Zenith" a solid and traditional heavy metal cartridge, not very innovative but with a great diversity."
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3/5
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While he had until now accustomed us to a notable regularity, offering a new record every two years or so, this time it took Enforcer four years release his fifth album (ignoring the many splits with which he was associated). The Swedes took their time. Lack of inspiration, desire to take a break or willingness to take more care of their work than usual are all reasons that can explain this abnormally long delay.
Following "From Beyond", "Zenith" finally arrives on our turntables. Despite a beautiful visual and a skill that never derails, fans of the first days may be disappointed. Instead of the heavy speed it has been anchored to since its debut fifteen years ago, the band now prefers a classical heavy, although still sounding authentically 80's. It is therefore not obvious that everyone finds himself in these federating choirs or these guitar flights that the Malmsteen of the Golden Age would not deny, as illustrated by "One Thousand Years Of Darkness".
If they still bite, as witnessed by the "Searching For You" and "Thunder And Well" speeds, Olof Wikstrand and his companions have undoubtedly diluted their devastating speed into a smoother, cleaner metal, to the point of bringing them closer to Scorpions ('Die For The Devil') or why not Stryper ! Does that make "Zenith" a disappointment? Not really. By diversifying his subject without losing coherence, Enforcer even pleasantly surprises, as when he poaches on the heavy lands of Dio on the occasion of an epic 'Zenith Of The Black Sun'.
The ballad "Regrets" and the candid "Forever We Worhip The Dark" demonstrate that emotion and a certain form of sweetness are perfectly suited to the Swedes, while "Sail On" travels quietly, guided by complicit guitars. Long of almost seven minutes long, 'Ode To Breath' would undoubtedly have deserved a few scissors strokes, at least it is part of the emancipation if not maturity that sums up this opus.
This one is probably not the zenith of the Scandinavians but it confirms that its authors, in the absence of being innovative, demonstrate an unstoppable mastery combined with a flawless confidence. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Die For The Devil
02. Zenith Of The Black Sun
03. Searching For You
04. Regrets
05. The End Of A Universe
06. Sail On
07. One Thousand Years Of Darkness
08. Thunder And Hell
09. Forever We Worship The Dark
10. Ode To Death
11. To Another World
LINEUP:
Jonas Wikstrand: Claviers / Batterie / Piano
Jonathan Nordwall: Guitares
Olof Wikstrand: Chant / Guitares
Tobias Lindkvist: Basse
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READERS
4/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.5/5 (2 view(s))
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