Search - Sworn Enemy :: Maniacal

NYHC at its finest

Mark A. Derasmo | Colonial hts,VA | 04/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Man you just gotta love New York City ball-busting HC...and I do. Sworn Enemy reminds me of all the reasons I used to go to the wicked city to the grimy sro clubs and just get brutal with bands of this ilk. While they may not be virtuosos by any means,they are truly one of the masters of their craft, and a whole lot of mosh-pit inducing fun. What is evident on this latest outing is a definite love affair with all things 80's...such as Anthrax,maybe a little Overkill? Not a bad thing at all,especially for me, considering Ive seen the aforementioned bands in small venues back in the day. Now 42 and still a faithful headbanger,I really appreciate bands like this..definitely wearing the love for metal/thrash on their sleeve,not quite reinventing the wheel,but laying down some really good mosh heavy beats,churning riffs,and some very brutal vocal deliveries that make me want to suit up and go hit the pit. This is one of the better releases Ive come across this year while rekindling my love affair with all things hard and metal,and if you like the thrashy aspects of this disc I highly recommend the new Death Angel. Rock On."