### Coerced Into Battle: Enemy mine

#### 21/10/08 || Euthanatos

Well, everything here sounds interesting at first, from the band’s name to the album title. So far, so good. What they propose to do is play death, thrash and hardcore, all blended together. I must say, they are pretty good at what they do.

First, let’s consider that this is CIB’s debut, so for them to have a good production on the album and solid hooks on their songwriting is already commendable. What we see (or listen) here really is a mixture of a lot of styles, thrash metal and hardcore being at the forefront, and the overall song structure following modern deathcore metal, such as The Black Dahlia Murder and the like. And therein lies the only problem with Coerced Into Battle. Being from California, they’re a little too immersed in the current American scene, so the modern influences are inevitable. Far from me wanting them to sound like Hellhammer, that’s not it at all, I’m all for progressing with the times. The thing is, the whole metalcore thing is a bit too much right now, so anything that only slightly resembles the fad tends to get old quick.

While brutality and musicianship are not lacking in any department on “Enemy Mine”, a little originality and spirit would do them good. Once again, I remind you this is only their debut, so good things are certain to come from their next effort. One can only hope.

The cover: Some ghoulish images, I don’t quite know what they are, but they look cool. It’s okay, I guess.

6 not bad beginnings out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2007
- Label: Rising Records
- Website: Coerced Into Battle MySpace
- Band
- Chris White: vocals, guitar
- Raul Castaneda: guitar
- Peter Hernandez: bass
- Thaddeus Coleman: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Erase the Mind
- 02. Constructing a Demon
- 03. The Addictions Dirge
- 04. Enemy Mine
- 05. Fall in Line
- 06. Buried In Desolation
- 07. The Addictions Dirge
- 08. Cursed With Love
- 09. The System Will Not Save Us
- 10. As the Light Fades