Enforcer: Show Review

One dark, cold night in January 2016, Warbringer was in town with Enforcer, Cauldron, and Exmortus. This tour was a huge event for younger bands re-capturing a golden era of metal long gone with their own fresh take on it.

I had the night off of work, but was only mildly interested. A couple of friends talked me into attending and I left feeling that I had made the right decision by going, and it was the Swedish speed metal masters Enforcer that impressible me the most. Ironically, I first heard the band years earlier when they were still new and found them to be average and passable. However, I have been citing them as one of the 21st century’s finest bands since the night I witnessed their live presentation. Naturally, their next U.S. tour became a serious priority on my calendar, and I only had to wait until the return of the winter season for it. With much more familiarity with Enforcer’s songs this time, I had my horns held high during the set. Olof Wikstrand and Co. were still densely promoting their 2015 release “From Beyond”, as noted by their backdrop featuring the record’s title and photos of the members seen on the inside booklet, the T-shirts that they were selling, and the first three songs in their set. You can’t help but think of Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris when watching Tobias Lindqvist with his finger work on a black and white Fender/Squier bass, his back-up singing, and his long, dark hair. Lindqvist’s punchy bass was nicely placed in the mix, making for a powerful rhythm section completed by the wild, impassioned drumming of Jonas Wikstrand. Guitarist Joseph Tholl is more conscientious and exhibits less of a metal look than the other members, but plays with just as much talent and sincerity as his bandmates. Olof Wikstrand possesses a commanding, vigorous stage persona. Wikstrand dominantly raises his fist while narrating his lyrics, moves all over the stage, and expects just as much enthusiasm and sheer craziness from Enforcer’s audience. Wikstrand had an eye for spotting the true Enforcer fans and the people that were just waiting for the next band to play, asking “How are you head-banging maniacs doing in the front?” and “How are you arm-crossing disco-lovers doing in the back?” His eye-liner and thin bandana are the most distinctive elements of his on-stage look. Wikstrand sprinkled banshee screams throughout his narrations and the songs, but saved his most effective screams for the band’s climactic finish. Enforcer’s live sound was very good, but not quite perfect. The biggest disappointment was that they only played for half an hour, but no TV show on Earth could be as entertaining as what they delivered within a 30-minute time frame. Overall, I am just happy that they played “Take Me Out of This Nightmare” and “Undying Evil”, two unforgettably catchy songs that I was itching to hear in their short-but-sweet domination of the stage.

Set List:

Destroyer
Undying Evil
From Beyond
Live For the Night
Mesmerized By Fire
Take Me Out of This Nightmare
Midnight Vice

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Tags:  Enforcer, ExMortis   

Nicholas Statuto    December 15, 2016