OZ’s Forced Commandments is an exercise in heaviness.

“Goin’ Down,” is the surreal opening to the new album by OZ. A song that contains all sorts of pushes and pulls, a song that moves with the times and presses the flesh to ensure maximum pleasure for the listener.

“Prison of Time,” weaves within itself, slowly shifting the dial and at the same time producing riffs that are so catchy it should be criminal. The general feeling of the song is one that will get listeners singing along the moment they hear it.

“Switchblade Alley,” has a hint of danger to it. The bass line is infectious and as the guitars sway into being, you get the sense that something dark and foreboding is approaching. A brilliantly executed song by OZ.

“Revival,” is buoyant and shows of the band’s killer instinct. A song that weaves its way through the fabric of time and comes out snarling and with fists raised. A brilliant display by OZ.

“The Ritual,” another song that flows with perfection. The guitar riffs are hooked together in sync and they truly exploit the listener’s sensibilities.

“Spiders,” has an interesting little switch and turn. A song that veers from the right to the left and increasingly turns the dial somewhere between ten and eleven. A haunting ode to the most subtle of creatures.

“Long and Lonely Road,” is OZ at their most thoughtful. A song that mixes together classic acoustic melodies and heavy leads, the vocals truly shine through and send chills down the listener’s arm.

“Liar,” brings it back to heaviness. On this song OZ show that their sarcastic sensibilities are well and truly present. A shred fest for all to enjoy.

“Diving Into The Darkness,” takes a turn and sprinkles some interesting little droplets around the place, bringing together the furiosity of earlier songs with casual measurements of tone.

“Break Out,” is a riff sandwich. A song that enables OZ to groove through the plains and take a turn here and there.

“Kingdom of War,” is a sledgehammer.

The album is out on May 22nd via Massacre Records