Enforced’s A Leap Into The Dark delivers a fierce reminder of why they’re at the forefront of modern hardcore thrash. Following up on the success of War Remains (2023) and Kill-Grid (2021), this six-song EP captures the band’s raw power while taking their sound into new territory. With a mixture of brand-new material and remastered gems, Enforced showcases their blistering intensity in a condensed yet explosive format.
The EP opens with “Betting on the End,” a track that immediately sets the tone with brutal vocals and a driving force that feels unrelenting. Knox Colby’s voice is a weapon in itself, cutting through the cacophony of relentless riffs and rapid-fire drumming. It’s a perfect introduction to the band’s high-octane style that reminds one that Enforced isn’t interested in giving you a moment to breathe.
The title track, “A Leap Into The Dark,” ups the ante with its wailing guitars and devastatingly heavy rhythms. There’s a fierceness here that feels primal as the band takes their hardcore thrash roots and pushes the boundaries even further. Will Wagstaff and Zach Monahan on guitars deliver a sonic onslaught that’s as technical as it is chaotic, driving home the EP’s intense atmosphere.
“Deafening Heartbeats” lives up to its name with bombastic and bone-crushing power. The track showcases Enforced at their most aggressive, yet there’s a precision in the brutality that makes it all the more impressive. Alex Bishop’s drumming is thunderous and anchors the band’s sound with a sense of unstoppable momentum.
The second half of the EP offers a nod to the past. “Casket” has been remastered and is a reminder of Enforced’s early fury. With its furious guitar work and blast beats that seem never-ending the track feels like a full-throttle sprint, offering no mercy to anyone who listens.
The two cover tracks, English Dogs’ “The Chase Is On” and Obituary’s “Deadly Intentions,” serve as fitting tributes to the old-school thrash and metal pioneers that helped shape Enforced’s sound. “The Chase Is On” is marked by its thick, brutal bass lines and razor-sharp intensity, while “Deadly Intentions” nails that classic metal vibe, hitting with a raw energy that feels perfectly aligned with the EP’s overall aggression.
Produced by Arthur Rizk (whose credits include Power Trip, Kreator, and Code Orange), the EP’s sound is massive and captures the rawness of Enforced’s live energy while keeping things tight and punchy. His touch gives the band’s relentless sound the kind of weight it deserves, making A Leap Into The Dark feel like a sonic gut-punch from start to finish. Enforced’s A Leap Into The Dark doesn’t just continue the band’s trajectory, it propels them forward, offering a brutal, high-intensity ride that pushes the limits of hardcore thrash.
Catch Enforced with Gatecreeper and 200 Stab Wounds.
10/30 Dublin, IE @ Whelan’s
10/31 Bristol City, UK @ The Fleece
11/01 London, UK @ O2 Academy Islington
11/02 Manchester, UK @ Damnation Fest
11/03 S-Hertogenbosch, NL @ Sepulfest
11/04 Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof
11/05 Zurich, CH @ Dynamo
11/06 Milan, IT @ Legend Club
11/07 Vienna, AT @ Arena
11/08 Munich, DE @ Backstage
11/09 Essen, DE @ Turock
11/10 Hannover, DE @ Musikzentrum
11/11 Copenhagen, DK @ Pumpehuset
11/12 Oslo, NO @ John Dee
11/14 Tampere, FI @ Olympia
11/15 Helsinki, FI @ Aaniwalli
11/16 Oulu, FI @ Kantakrouvi
11/18 Stockholm, SE @ Kollektivet Livet
11/19 Gothenburg, SE @ Film Studios
11/20 Hamburg, DE @ Knust
11/21 Berlin, DE @ SO36
11/22 Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz
11/23 Stuttgart, DE @ Im Wizemann
11/24 Antwerp, BE @ Zappa
