The Enforcer

One of the more obscure German Speed Metal bands, but one of the better ones for my money. Warrant should appeal to those of you who appreciate the music of early-era Rage, as they exhibit a similar kind of Thrash (but not quite) style. Jorg Jurasheck’s vocals are a bit more subdued than Peavy’s though, but suit the music nonetheless.

There’s also a Walls of Jericho-ness about some of the riffage too, check out the intro riff to ‘Nuns Have no Fun’….yes that really is the title, indeed, if you are a connoisseur of German lyrics like what I am, then you’ll love this album.

“Words like fucking, they don’t wanna know
But deep inside their souls, dirty jokes
Only vibrators can get them high
A risk much too great, God’s waiting inside!”

Awesome stuff, if not quite in the Sodom league of ‘fucking grown-ness’, hehehehehe.

But back to the music. The album opens with an acoustic intro that reminds puts me in mind of recent Destruction, before giving way to a speedy, but simple, riff. The sound is not particularly heavy or aggressive which is why I consider this to be Speed Metal rather than Thrash. If you want Dark Angel style thrash you’d better look elsewhere frankly. No this is kinda like Living Death or something like that (although much better) and with that kind of duga-duga-duga rhythm that Metallica had on Kill ‘em All.

I’m not going to go through every track, because I don’t think the album really warrants that kind of inspection. It’s a style that you will either feel passionate about or think it’s dated and redundant. Having said that, it’s difficult to pick out favourites because looking down the tracklist it’s like, oh that’s a good one, and that one, and that one, and that one!

If you get the NOISE re-issue (the only way on CD I think) you will get the FIRST STRIKE ep as a bonus too, along with two tracks recorded in the late 90’s when Warrant reformed to play a festival. The EP tracks are largely more of the same and very enjoyable, and even the new tracks manage to keep the old spirit alive and are only really distinguishable by the quality of the production.

I guess I really should give a mention to the guitarists, who deliver some nice solos, without descending into Shred-boredom and also the covers, both of which are painted by Phillip Lawvere (I’m pretty sure) and give the albums that authentic 80’s feeling!

Overall then, despite there being nothing particularly spectacular about it, this is well worth a purchase (if you can find it!) if you like your Metal up tempo, with a German accent and infused with a little melody.