SWORN ENEMY - The Beginning Of The End

SWORN ENEMY
The Beginning Of The End
Abacus Recordings
7/10




There’s little question as to where Sworn Enemy fits into the extreme music landscape. Playing an upfront form of modern hardcore with a serious helping of highly metallic riffs, this is a style that was once known as crossover music, best represented by bands like D.R.I.

Due to the emergence of even more extreme forms of the metal, hardcore vocals were required to evolve toward being even more abrasive, most likely as a result of crossover bands sharing the stage with metal groups whose fans were more accepting of the style than the punk crowd.

Although artists and fans at times bemoan the stereotypical classifications that crop up when a band harbors a specific set of identifying attributes, such generalizations are impossible to avoid in the case of Sworn Enemy.

Like following a recipe, the group has thrown together x and x ingredients, namely gruff, angry white boy barking, neck-snapping guitars that alternate between bullet train chugging and jagged, Slayer-flavored dual-axe strafes. Thick breakdowns and jackhammer bursts of energy alternate as the group slams it down during strength-laden outings such as “Scared Of The Unknown”, “All I Have” and “Absorb The Lies.”

Thematically, the group touches on somewhat predictable subjects, among them the topics of unity, pride and mental vigor and determination. This is the flag of the movement whereas the music reflects the constitution of an entire scene. It is refreshing to find that Sworn Enemy is interested in giving the fans something that digs a bit deeper into the old-school as most bands today merely reference bands like Biohazard and Pro-Pain when seeking to build up a measure of New York tough-guy credibility.

Instead, Sworn Enemy steers their music in more of a thrash metal direction, a sound preferable to many metalheads whom never quite understood the actual nature of hardcore music and it’s roots, which are firmly embedded in punk rock.

You’ll find no pseudo-rapping or hip-hop thrown into this mix either, with tracks such as “Beginning Of The End”, “No Second Chances” and “We Hate” all serving as sufficient grounds for throwing elbows and making the pit rough.

In terms of being a cohesive outfit, Sworn Enemy assuredly has their act down pat. The styles of the players as individuals mesh together in a most excellent fashion. “The Beginning Of The End” is a recording that finds Sworn Enemy sticking with their guns and busting out they type of music that fans expect.

To pair this band up with the like-minded moshcore acts like Throwdown or Hazardous Waste would make for a no holds barred skankfest on the concert trail. If these guys can execute this material with the vigor captured on this recording, many of these songs are going to be the scapegoat for plenty of bloody noses and that’s exactly what the fans expect. While it doesn’t break any fresh ground, it delivers that which is promised without remorse or lament, making it exactly the type of album that fans have been hanging on tenterhooks for.

By: xkingofallcorex