Reviewed - 03/25/05

Have Seen the Enemy, And the Enemy Is Us
[Crash Music]

In an era full of bands cloning The Haunted, most melodic thrash-inspired death metal bands sound identical. Only a vocalist’s delivery or production elements separate the masses of post-At the Gates melodic death metal. Unfortunately, the same can be said about the debut from Enemy is Us.

Don’t get me wrong; “We Have Seen the Enemy… and the Enemy is Us” is a well-crafted album. It even earned many spins in my many CD players. The pristine production is excellent. Actually, I adore the guitar tone. Songs like “Blooddance” and “Killfest” are satisfying thrashers. Defleshed’s Gustaf Jorde appears on crunchy “The Walking Dead.” But take note, former Darkane vocalist, Lawrence Mackrory (now turned bassist here), is in the Enemy is Us’s ranks. It is apparent Enemy is Us is taking the same route as the aforementioned Darkane as well as Carnal Forge, Dew Scented, etc.

Enemy is Us is in top form with decent songs and great production. But I’ve heard this before. I’ve heard better and I’ve heard a lot worse. In fact, Enemy is Us is better than most bands of this metal sub-genre. However, I know after a few weeks of rotation, this CD will be gathering dust. Actually, as I finished this review, I found myself rather bored.

If you can’t get enough of death/thrash, then “We Have Seen the Enemy… and the Enemy is Us” is a satisfactory affair. But it you are looking for death/thrash with unmatched intensity, personality, and longevity, this isn’t it.