UMUR "At The Walls" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Virginia based thrash metal act Enforced. The album was released through War Records in July 2019. Enforced formed in 2016 and released two 2017 demos before being signed for the release of "At The Walls". While "At The Walls" is considered Enforced debut full-length studio album, it´s actually more a compilation album, as the album consists of remixed versions of the seven tracks from the two 2017 demos, and only two new original compositions. The tracklist opens with the two new tracks, then the three tracks from the second 2017 demo "Retaliation" and closing the album with the four tracks from the "Demo 2017" demo. The tracks are as a result presented in diverse order in terms of the time of recording.

Stylistically the material on "At The Walls" is aggressive, heavy, and punchy thrash metal with crossover influences. The crossover elements (hardcore tinged riffs and rhythms, brutal heavy breakdowns, riot gang backing vocals) are most prominent on the tracks from the "Demo 2017" demo, and less and less prominent on the more recently composed tracks. While the material are generally well composed and effectful, Enforced´s greatest strength is their aggressive and brutal delivery of the music. They are a well playing unit, handling both fast and heavy parts with equal conviction, delivering sharp riffs and screaming solos. The vocals are raw and shouting, and suits the instrumental part of the music well. I hear influences from artists like Slayer, late 80s/early 90s Sepultura, and various crossover/hardcore acts. A contemporary artists like Power Trip is a valid reference too.

While there is a difference in style between the most recent tracks and the earliest demo tracks, "At The Walls" is still a relatively consistent release, and the quality of the material is overall high. "At The Walls" is also well produced and upon conclusion it´s a promising debut album by Enforced. A few more hooks/memorable moments and a little more variation in the way the vocals are performed would have made "At The Walls" an even more interesting release, but a 3.5 star (70%) rating is still deserved.

UMUR "War Remains" is the third full-length studio album by US, Virginia based thrash metal/crossover thrash metal act Enforced. The album was released through Century Media Records in April 2023. It´s the successor to "Kill Grid" from 2021 and the lineup who recorded the predecessor is intact on "War Remains".

Stylistically this is another piece of ultra aggressive thrash metal with crossover thrash metal/hardcore leanings and it´s not completely unlike what a contemporary artist like Power Trip put out (before their untimely demise), but the music also features quite a few nods toward artists like Slayer and (late 80s/early 90s) Sepultura. Lead vocalist Knox Colby has a raw voice, and a very aggressive delivery, which are great assets to Enforced´s music, but the instrumental part of the music is also deliered with both great skill and conviction. Enforced are arguably a well playing band.

"War Remains" features a raw, sharp, and brutal sounding production job, which suits the material perfectly. Upon conclusion it may not be an album adding much new to the style or showing much development from Enforced since "Kill Grid", but it´s one of those relentlessly aggressive and powerful releases, which have the power to make you head bang and you body move, despite that not being your plan. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

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.