UMUR
"Kill Grid" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, Virginia based thrash metal act Enforced. The album was released through Century Media Records in March 2021. It´s the successor to "At The Walls" from 2019. "At The Walls" was more of a compilation album than a regular studio album as it featured remixed versions of the tracks from their two 2017 demos and only two new original compositions, so therefore "Kill Grid" is the first Enforced album to solely feature new original material.
Opening track "The Doctrine" immediately sets the tone and reveals the music style of the album. Heavy, brutal, and aggressive thrash metal (with the occasional crossover leanings), not completely unlike a contemporary act like Power Trip, but also drawing influences from legendary artists like Slayer and (late 80s/early 90s) Sepultura. This is music for those who enjoy artists like that and also other late 80s/early 90s brutal thrash metal artists like Devastation, Exhorder, and Demolition Hammer. Thrash metal in the brutal end of the scale with an emphasis on caustic aggression, razor sharp heavy riffs, and energetic and powerful drumming. The vocals are raw, shouting, and angry. A little more variation would have made the impact of the vocals a little more intense, but as they are the vocals are well performed and suit the music perfectly.
"Kill Grid" features a well sounding, powerful and detailed production job, and it´s overall a very well produced release. Enforced were arguably off to a good start with "At The Walls (2019)", but it´s audible that the band have honed their skills and their songwriting on "Kill Grid", and it´s definitely a step up in quality from the debut album. It´s not a revelation in terms of introducing anything new, but Enforced are the type of band capable of using tried and true elements in a well constructed and convincing manner. This is music designed to put an angry snarl on your face and to make you bang your head like a maniac. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.