After the release of their debut album, 2019’s At The Walls, Richmond crossover thrashers Enforced signed with Century Media Records. On March 12th, the group’s next chapter will officially begin with the release of their sophomore effort, Kill Grid. For those who enjoy Power Trip, Cro-Mags, and Kreator, will want to give this record a listen. We caught up with vocalist Knox Colby and asked him for a track by track explainer.
Read the track by track guide below and pre-order the record here:
Track List:
01) The Doctrine
02) UXO
03) Beneath Me
04) Malignance
05) Kill Grid
06) Curtain Fire
07) Hemorrhage
08) Blood Ribbon
09) Trespasser
“The Doctrine”
“The Doctrine” is about religious indoctrination, the unwavering obedience it instills, and
the fear, profiteering and cowardice that such an institution breeds and promotes.
“UXO”
“UXO” sheds light on the bombing of civilians and entire swathes of countries in
Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Bombs that are still exploding today. Bombs
from a bygone war that are still killing innocent bystanders, decades after the conflict
has been “RESOLVED.”
“Beneath Me”
This deals with an argument or concept Joseph Campbell brought up in an
anthropology lecture. The idea being that “GOD,” as a human construct, is a natural part
of human evolution. As time progresses, and new discoveries are made, “GOD” is fazed
out. For “God to be beneath me” expresses that I have accepted the notion of God’s
usefulness, what I think humanity is ultimately trending towards, and that while at times
comforting or thoughtful, the notion of a “god above” is beneath me. Granted, this isn’t
meant to shame or mock anyone, spiritual or otherwise, I just feel differently, and that’s
okay.
“Malignance”
“Malignance” is about being on the wrong side of history, being led down the path
of an ideology built on hatred and violence, only to end up with a bullet in your stomach.
The lyrics about-face towards the end of the song and try to shake you out of it. Wake
up, get a grip, understand and accept that you’re wrong.
“Kill Grid”
This song was heavily inspired by Sepultura (Max Cavalera) and Body Count.
Lyrically, the groove could have gone a lot of different ways, and it took me casually
listening to Ice-T to understand to keep it simple and clean. For me, this song is a huge
blend and influence and a blend of the two. Respect to Max and Ice.
“Curtain Fire”
This song grapples with how “lostless” war is, from a government standpoint. The
opening salvo, the height of passions, the negligence of the dead and sacrificed. It all seems sanctioned under the deified notion of profit. I don’t want the world to be homogenized to a US truck stop. There’s more to culture than parking lots, TJ MAXX bargains, and the McRib. I don’t want or need it globally, but that is someone’s job and goal; how will they obtain it? What role do you play in the McRib being introduced in Tajikistan?
“Hemorrhage”
Groupthink and the idea being bolstered or supported “online” not translating to
actual, real world, potentially fatal consequences. “No one will be there when your skull
smacks the concrete” has so much to do with online threats and animosity; quantifiable
hatred, I guess. Is it palpable? Is it practical? Does basic reason have an effective
defense? What’s the outcome? My money is on a profuse bleeding of people, funds or
resources, rather than admit wrong doing and having everyone make it into a funny
meme 3years after the exploitation of whoever/whenever/wherever.
“Blood Ribbon”
This song is about a nightmare I had. About being chased. About the only thing
that kept me alive (blood) being the trail that led to my death. Blood “ribbons” came from
a John Milton passage, describing blood trailing down an arm. The visual was so striking
to me, I combined to two. It describes the terror you’d endure escaping a war torn area
(Ties back into UXO).
“Trespasser”
The only thematic outlier on the album, and I’d hate for anyone to ignore or skip
this track. “Trespasser” is top tier. It lyrically originated from John Milton’s Paradise Lost,
where Satan, as a cormorant, cries in the Garden of Eden. He can not repent, only press
on as Evil. Evil in the Garden of Eden, though he doesn’t want to. A lot of people are put
in similar situations, sadly and regretfully. Speaking of God, there’s a neat little literary
Easter Egg in this song. If you find it, I’ll throw you $11USD.
