Enforcer es una banda formada en el año 2004 en Arvika, Suecia. Con una carrera relativamente nueva, han logrado captar la atención del público amante del heavy metal, lo cual han podido reforzar con el lanzamiento de su más reciente material, ‘Zenith’, lanzado hace apenas unos meses.
And it is precisely ‘Zenith’ The reason why the Swedes will return to Mexico next August 30 to the Flying Circus courtesy of Helados Producciones, and we had the opportunity to talk with their singer and leader, Olof Wikstrand.
“Zenith” es, con mucho, el trabajo más melódico del sonido tradicional de Enforcer. ¿Cuál fue la inspiración y la razón para hacer un trabajo así?
The idea for this album was to make the biggest heavy metal album of all time; For this we have a very wide spectrum of influences ranging from Bathory, Agent Steel, Metallica, Razor to Scorpions, Foreigner, Europe and Dio. In other words, the same influences that we always had, but daring to make songs that we haven't dared to do before.
“El thrash metal es bastante aburrido en su mayoría…”
Olof wiekstrand, 2019
It's surprising to find songs like “Regret”, featuring piano sounds and an unusual ballad tone in Enforcer. Did this new twist pose a challenge for you as musicians?
Well, we did a semi-ballad on the previous album, so why not a full ballad on this one? From the beginning we had a very clear idea of how this song should sound. In fact, we had already recorded a previous version of this song that really sounded very similar, so we just tried to stay true to that version.
Of course, I want to emphasize that they made a Spanish version of this album. How did the idea come about? Was it difficult to sing in this language?
I have been studying Spanish for a couple of years and the idea came from a friend of mine who suggested that I try to do a version of one or two songs for the Latin American public.
So I got down to business, recorded some songs, and it turned out so well that I decided to continue doing the rest of the album at once. It was not that difficult, although I must say I had a very good help to make it sound real, and not like any idiot trying to imitate a language. The intention was to truly sing in Spanish and not just do a bad imitation.
For your concerts in Mexico, will you sing some of these songs in Spanish? Half the song in one language and the other half in the other?
I haven't really decided yet, but I'm sure there will be something in Spanish. It depends on what people want to hear.
We know they are heavy metal lovers, but we are living in an era where bands like Kiss, Motley Crue, Scorpions and more are retiring. Who do you think are the bands with the potential to replace them and lead the big festivals?
We of course!
Here in Mexico you will share the stage with Warbringer, a young thrash metal band, a genre that you also have influence on. What is the best thrash band in the world for you and why?
Okay! I'm not really a thrash metal fan in particular, so it's hard to tell. Does it count if I say Metallica? Not only did I grow up with their music, but unlike most of the other generic thrash bands - of which there are already many - they brought a lot of melody, contrasts and identity to a genre quite boring to tell the truth.
Su última visita a Foro Indie Rocks fue una fiesta total…
It was a great concert! You Mexicans are loud and wild, we love it! There really aren't any anecdotes in particular that I can tell, but we had an amazing time in every way!
What can we expect from Enforcer's next visit to our country?
We are ready! Come see us, we are really preparing something special for you. This time we will play many more songs, bring a bigger and better live show, better sound, better everything! Heavy metal forever!
