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Enfarce: Superhero Diaries Part 1

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal

4.0/5.0

Website Facebook YouTube
Unsigned / Self-released
Words by Craig Hartranft,  28.05.2014

I'm absolutely convinced: Enfarce is totally messing with our heads. From the cartoon character band members to the corny concept of superhero space alien Steel Enforcer ridding the world of all band influences, from the abrubtly cliche Scandi power metal to their band name, Enfarce is pulling our legs and sniggering behind our backs. Strip away the 'En' from their name, and you have, perhaps the best definition of the Superhero Diaries Part 1: it's a farce.

Enfarce: they really are cartoon characters.

And the proverbial joke is on us. But, you know what, call it cliche, over-the-top, or hypertypical of the genre, these dudes know how to do power metal. So while they're goading your sense of credulity, you're having a pretty darn good time listening to Enfarce. You have it all here: galloping rhythm section, big guitars with lots of solos, twinkling synths, and soaring vocals, all wrapped up in bombastic arrangements. Mostly, Enfarce's power metal is guitar driven, from riffs and solos, followed by the rhythm section.

If then, hypothetically, Superhero Diaries Part 1 is some form of parody, it takes some skill to pull that off, and the band has that skill. Maybe Enfarce is better than we realize, or perhaps that's what they want us to believe. Best picks: Redeemer from the Stars, All Hope Is Lost, Dawn Damage. They do a cover of Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out For a Hero, from 1984 Footlose move, which isn't all that bad. Another postive: there's no smarmy power metal ballad. Say what you will about power metal, love it or hate it, Enfarce gets it right, and it probably isn't a joke after all. But I could be wrong.

Enfarce - I'm A Hero

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Call Superhero Diaries Part 1 cliche, over-the-top, or hypertypical of the genre, Enfarce knows how to do classic melodic power metal.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]