CD review ENFORCER ‘Live by Fire II’

Six years after having unleashed their first live album, Swedish metal powerhouse Enforcer is ready to delight the metal community with a next live release. ‘Live by Fire II’ is a chronological next step that follows the 2015 release ‘Live by Fire’.

Enforcer toured heavily in 2019 and amongst many other countries it was Mexico, that welcomed the Swedes and it’s is the show in Mexico City that was recorded for this live album. The focus of the gig was on the ‘Zenith’ album as well as on the ‘Death by Fire’ longplayer. In total it’s a 17 songs comprising setlist that showcases with headbangers like the furious ‘Searching for You’ the entire power of heavy metal. Enforcer, that’s oldschool metal, created and performed straight to the point. There are now frills and decoration. Mighty riffs, good melodies and high pitch screams by Olof Wikstrand represent traditional heavy metal, performed with the enthusiasm of youth.

There are of course some parallels when it comes to the choice of songs between ‘Live by Fire’ part one and two. Those moments are very limited though and seriously, an Enforcer show without songs like ‘Mesmerized by Fire’ and Midnight Vice’ would be incomplete.

Sound is always an important criteria for a live release and I can report just good news here. The album feels authentic from start to finish with a sound that transports the electrifying vibe at the venue at the time. Enthusiastic fans can be heard more than ones, enjoying pure heavy metal pleasure that includes some sing-along parts as during ‘From Beyond’.

‘Live by Fire II’ showcases a band that is hungry for heavy metal. Furthermore, the album transports the sweat-soaked venue atmosphere right to your home, at least as much as it can be done by a live album. If you want to have a good time and if you are in need of some solid headbanging, there is now way to bypass ‘Live by Fire II’.