Review
Enabler
Year One

Enabler play a style of hardcore that takes clear influence from crust and metal (ala His Hero Is Gone). Over their first year they managed to release two EPs. Now to help those that lack tape decks and record players, Creator-Destructor has compiled these releases for the greater public. Year One contains the EPs Eden Sank to Grief and War Begins With You. The band hold a certain pedigree as they contain members of Dead To Fall and their frontman has drummed for such bands as Today Is The Day and Trap Them. Honestly, the last two bands mentioned would not be the worst place to start in describing Enablers' sound either.

Overall this release blows by in just under 30 minutes and Enabler don't waste any second of that meager time. The band keep the tempos fast for the most part, instead relying on interesting leads and general dissonance. Each song has what could be best described as a hook. The guitarists are adept at building the songs and creating shifts with catchy lead parts. A good example of this technique in action would be in the tenth track, "No Love, No Hope, No Fear." The song rages for a good 2 minutes straight through but—instead of keeping it simple entirely—with about 30 seconds left, the guitarist pulls of a Gothenburg-esque metal solo. This suitably adds some melody within the song that rages below the surface.

Needless to say, compilations such as this rarely show what the band is truly capable of as it tends to feel somewhat disjointed overall. Enabler almost make this feel like a full length release as opposed to two shorter releases crammed onto one disc. The main difference between the two releases being that the second half has a stronger hold of the melodies that help to drive the songs home to the listener.

Since this release, the band have picked up a new rhythm section as well as signed a brand new contract with the indomitable Southern Lord Records. These things bode well, as it shows there is only a slim chance of them slowing down. If they remain headed in the direction that they are currently you could be hearing a ton of praise heaped their way, and deservedly so. Few bands play crust with a flair for melody without turning it into something else entirely. Enabler manages to do a little wheeling and dealing and come up with the makings of what could be a winning hand in the future. Meanwhile this release is a good introduction but not the complete package.