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Recently on a trip to Stockholm, I was hanging out in a metal themed pool hall. After speaking with a gorgeous blonde girl, she mentioned that she was friends with the guys in Enforcer. My reaction was akin to a six year old discovering a Playstation under the tree on Christmas morning. I began shouting at her about how great they were, a band full of untapped potential, and one of the best bands currently in Sweden. Needless to say, this Swedish girl, who had a passing interest in metal through association was a bit frightened by my unbridled geekery. She just doesn't know how great her friends' band is.

Bands trying to recreate a "lost" scene, like Enforcer, are always suspicious. I can't help but feel that some of them are doing it ironically, silently laughing at the music while performing it. Their disrespect isn't worth our time or money. Then again, there are bands who play the style simply because they love it so much. A sense of admiration and excitement exudes through the music, and that is the case with Enforcer, a stellar Swedish band only on their second album. I've been putting this review one off because I didn't quite know how to do the album justice. This album is a time warp back to the glory days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, recapturing the spirit and intensity that so many bands strive for. Diamonds is an infectious collection of great traditional metal songs, and a contender for album of the year.

Headed by prolific singer Olof "Enforcer" Wikstrand, the band is never short on high pitched, soaring vocals, sounding like a beautiful whine. Wikstrand's range isn't profound and deep, but it doesn't need to be. Enforcer make invigorating, undeniably happy heavy metal that shoots through you. Range isn't necessary here, only adrenaline -- and Enforcer have tons of adrenaline. Adam Zaars and Joseph Tholl are a dual guitar team with blazing solos and riffs the hearken back the formative days of Iron Maiden. Their impeccable work on the instrumental title track could have come right off Killers. Many of these riffs lusciously trickle up and down the neck of the guitar, creating a classic, groovy atmosphere, reminiscent of metal's glory days. The songs coalesce into terribly catchy music. The simplistic and quick flowing melody of "High Roller" or the spellbinding "Katana" exemplify Enforcer's uncanny ability to write effervescent songs as if its nothing.

I always get excited for a band like this. They're young and full of talent. Enforcer have the ability to be the next Wolf: a band devoted to carrying on the legacy of great traditional metal without the support of major labels or touring. Here's to the next underground sensation!