The Metal Crypt on Facebook  The Metal Crypt's YouTube Channel
Review: OZ - Forced Commandments
OZ
www.ozofficial.com
Forced Commandments

Label: Massacre Records
Year released: 2020
Duration: 54:56
Tracks: 11
Genre: Heavy Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: April 16, 2020
Reviewed by: Luxi Lahtinen
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4/5 (80%) (12 Votes)
Review

Eighth album from Finnish Heavy Metal veterans OZ, and the second one with new vocalist Vince Koivula. When Ape left the band, no one was certain if they could go on, as his distinctive vocal style was a big part of the band's appeal. However, they proved they were more than capable of that with Transition State a few years ago, and Forced Commandments is basically a refinement of that album and all the promise that it displayed.

This serves both as a distillation of everything the band is good at and a refreshing update to their classic sound. You get the balls-to-the-wall Metal tracks like "Liar" and "Diving into Darkness", the anthemic rockers like "Switchblade Alley", the NWOBHM asskickers like "Prison Time", the Neoclassical stylings of "Spiders", and even some ballads like "Long and Lonely Road" that'll have you getting your lighter out in no time, all topped off with enough joyful cheese to bake a pizza with. Vince once again proves himself to be an asset to the band, as his wide vocal range gives them the opportunity to write more varied and detailed material than ever before.

Overall, this is a clear step up from their last one, and it proves that even after 40+ years and despite some difficulties in their journey, OZ are still moving forward and doing it with style. Recommended.

More about OZ...
Review: ...Decibel Storm... (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Review: Burning Leather (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Burning Leather (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: Fire in the Brain (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Forced Commandments (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Forced Commandments (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: III Warning (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Review: Roll the Dice (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Review: The OZ (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Review: Transition State (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Review: Transition State (reviewed by MetalMike)
Interview with Mark Ruffneck (drums) on October 2, 2011 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with vocalist Ape De Martini and drummer Mark Ruffneck on September 19, 2012 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on January 17, 2014 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with vocalist Ape De Martini, guitarists Juzzy and Johnny, bassist Peppi and drummer Mark Ruffneck on March 26, 2016 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on December 13, 2017 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on September 30, 2018 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on March 22, 2020 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on December 21, 2023 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Click below for more reviews
Latest 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Various Books/Zines 



The Metal Crypt - Crushing Posers Since 1999
Copyright  © 1999-2024, Michel Renaud / The Metal Crypt.  All Rights Reserved.