Here's yet another melodic death metal band with yet another 'En' name (Enthroned, Enslaved, Entombed, Encrimson'd, Engorged...). Enforsaken are a Crash Music fivepiece that used to be on Olympic Records before that label closed. They are also deeply rooted in the musical traditions of bands like Arch Enemy and Dakane. And by 'rooted' I mean 'hopelessly mired.' As my first sentenced described them, Enforsaken are 'yet another melodic death metal band.'

To be fair, Enforsaken play their music better than most. This is a very brutal shade of melodic death metal, far closer to the sounds of Chastisement or By Night than those of In Flames or Dark Tranquility. "Sinner's Intuition" boasts plenty of blasts, complex guitar riffs, and harsh guttural vocals. At the same time, this is definitely melodic music: emotive guitar solos, sparse session keyboards, and even some catchy choruses. More than once I find myself thinking of Gregorian chants when listening to the tunes of Enforsaken (most notably on the tracks "Witness to the Fall" and "Sever the Ties"). I'd almost swear that Trickster G. makes a guest appearance on the track "The Course of Oblivion." And the 'sour harmonies' of Morbid Angel-influenced death metal help break up the otherwise monotonous melodic thrash guitars and solos prevalent throughout this album.

But "Sinner's Intuition" can be completely summed up in these four words: fast aggressive melodic death. It's not much different than early Soilwork or the Haunted or any of the other bands mentioned in this review. Yeah, it's nice and thick. Yes, there are some great grooves, some brutal moments, some introspective moments... all the obligatory bells and whistles are present, save the most important: distinction. Enforsaken do a great job of sounding like other European death metal bands, but they don't do so well sounding like themselves.

I just noticed that Enforsaken have had their music featured on not one, but two episodes of MTV's Viva La Bam. I'm not sure if this fact will benefit the band in the domain of underground metal or hurt them, but FYI nonetheless.

Strong guitar virtuosity, brutal percussion, venomous harsh vocals, epic melodies... all these characteristics apply to Enforsaken. But they also apply to other bands. Enforsaken is perhaps most noteworthy for their exceptionally brutal take on the genre of melodic death metal. But this only partially elevates the band from the muddy sea of At the Gates and In Flames clones. Not bad, I suppose, but not nearly good enough.