It’s been said before and often, but that’s because it’s true: By and large, when it all comes down, we’re in this for the riffs.
But there’s a bit more to it than that. Because, in addition to riffs, we also crave the fury, the fire, the passion, and the palpable aggression that this loud-fast art form provides.
And while the latter is abundant here as it is in countless punk-metal hybrids flooding the scene, it’s really through the former that Enabler separates itself from the pack so effortlessly. They’ve got riffs, and even more importantly, they’ve got really good ones. And as it should be, the combination of riff and fury is purely pulverizing.
Flies is Enabler’s second EP this year – the first, April’s Shift Of Redemption, was where I first crossed paths with them, a bit late to the party, I admitted then and now. Starting there and moving backwards into 2012’s All Hail The Void, I was bomb-blasted by a seriously vicious blend of metallic riff-craft and hardcore fury. Blending thrash metal with crusty hardcore isn’t a new approach, but Enabler rocks harder, tighter, and with even more fire than most of their peers. And with those killer metal riffs strewn amongst the punk chords and occasional flashes of melody, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Now it’s highly possible that Enabler could land two out of three spots on my Top EPs of 2013 list, and these short bursts of brilliance just keep getting better. Redemption was stout, but Flies is stouter; Redemption was strong, but Flies is stronger.
Opening number “Switch” is instrumental, starting off with a great melodic hardcore chord progression, but the party really gets going with the title track, with its spindly main riff and dissonant chords, and with the third track “Meaningless Life,” sporting a simple metal verse riff and a positively destructive closing breakdown. Moments of melody weave between the crashing chords and thrashing single-note lines, the whole of it delivered with vicious conviction. The closing cover of Sepultura’s “Arise” (probably my favorite of that Brazilian outfit’s tunes) is absolutely killer, far better than the Havok version from earlier this year, but it’s testament to the quality of what comes before that it’s really just icing on the proverbial cake.
With their one-two punch of instantly memorable riffs and infectious adrenaline-charged rage, Enabler sits at the top of the crusty hardcore/metal mash-up heap, and Flies shows them honing their craft to an even sharper point. This one’s another monster from a band that keeps on delivering, one that is absolutely worth an investment.
There’s word of another Enabler full-length next year, and that makes me happy. Just like any good enabler should, please, fellas, keep ‘em coming.
