Diamonds

This Swedish retro metal act continues its pursuit of an early-'80s ideal on its second album, if possible becoming even more committed to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound than on 2008's Into the Night. As on the debut, there's a formula -- lyrics about sex and partying ("Midnight Vice," "Live for the Night," "High Roller") and occasionally violence, combat, and other macho topics ("Katana," "Take Me to Hell," "Running in Menace"); high-pitched vocals; pulsing basslines in the vein of Iron Maiden's Steve Harris; and energetic drumming, stinging guitar solos, and singalong choruses. The title track is a galloping instrumental. Fans of old-school metal will find this a pleasing throwback thrill; modern-day metal kids too young to remember the bands and albums Enforcer are paying tribute to will find these songs weirdly catchy and utterly lacking in breakdowns, downtuned riffing, or moaned lyrics about adolescent existential despair. There's no emo or thick-necked hardcore/death metal bro-hood to be heard here; this is pure escapist pleasure. ~ Phil Freeman