Enforsaken plays a signature mix of the Gothenburg style, recalling gods like In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork, Arch Enemy, and The Haunted, among others. What's amazing, however, is they are the first American band I've heard to recapture the magical melodies of these bands blending them with oldschool American style death metal leanings. Had it not been for the lineup in the booklet, I'd have never believed these guys are from the USA. So melodic is their playing, even touching on Maiden's galloping riffs and occasional clean vocals that contrast the otherwise brutal riffery, it's simply amazing.
Never heard their debut, but Sinner's Intuition is a powerful second album, packed with energetic guitar riffs that sacrifice neither melody nor aggression, searing vocals, fast kick drums, and a maniacal bass guitar madness. Eric Kava deserves a special mention for achieving that killer bass performance amidst seas of never-ending guitar riffery and semi-screamed, semi-growled vocals by Steven Sagala. "Enemy Angel" is a prime example of how much bass can add to a death metal song: the song explodes with rampaging bass lines before some clean vocals mixed with brutal screaming kick in as madly-picked guitar experiments are performed by Joe DeGroot and Steve Stell. The duo finishes the piece off with a majestic unison solo that is so heavy yet also unbelievably melodic. The more technical pieces like "Slain" and "Halo of Ruin" are highlighted by swift chord progressions that blend the most powerful moments of The Haunted and Darkane, adding in big Maiden-style chords to enrich the vocal harmonies, and crazy drumming to boot. Actually the run-out solo of "Halo of Ruin" has nothing to do with death metal. On the contrary, it's an honest statement of melodic rock soloing that is absolutely expressive and articulate. "Sever the Ties" sees their session keyboardist establishing an epic, battle-like intro, as Gregorian chants enter revealing more of the band's European influences. Again, this song is graced by a majestic solo, by both guitarists battling it out on each other.
Enforsaken will interest fans of melodic death metal, particularly earlier In Flames and Dark Tranquillity, but it will also reach those that seek more aggression and relentless power in their music. This has been more than a big surprise to say the least.
Track Listing
- Witness to the Fall
- Blacklist Assassin
- Slain
- Halo of Ruin
- Enemy Angel
- Sever the Ties
- Words in Red
- Course to Oblivion