Sworn Enemy

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sworn Enemy

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Img_capt = Sworn Enemy performing at Yesterday's Draught House & Stage in Wheeling WV, April 2008
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Queens, New York, United States
Genre = Crossover Thrash
Metalcore
Hardcore punk
Years_active = 1997-present
Label = Victory Records
Stillborn Records
Abacus Records
Century Media

Sworn Enemy is a crossover thrash/metalcore band from New York City. They are managed by Tim Lambesis from As I Lay Dying.

Biography

The band formed in 1995 as "Downfall" and later on as "Mindset", a product of the extremely expansive and influential New York Hardcore scene. At its original inception the band centered around founding members: vocalist Sal Lococo, lead guitarist Lorenzo Antonucci, 2nd guitarist Mike Raffinello, bass player Mike Palmer and drummer Zoli.

The band's early output as Mindset was limited to a demo, an appearance on the "New Found Hope II - The First Amendment" compilation CD, and a 3 song 7 inch named "State Of Mind".

Soon after the "State Of Mind" release, another band named Mindset appeared on the underground metal scene, having existed as Mindset before the Queens Mindset. Therefore, Sal and crew changed their name to Sworn Enemy.

The band continued to play shows and garner attention in the scene. In 2001 the band released "Negative Outlook" on Jamey Jasta's Stillborn Records. The record was a mix of old school hardcore punk and new school breakdowns, and it quickly gained the band attention in the entire hardcore scene. Soon after came "Integrity Defines Strength", the title being a play on the I.D.S. crew that Sworn Enemy claimed loyalty to. It contained 3 new songs and a live set at CBGB.

Sworn Enemy's signed a release deal with Elektra Records in 2003. The result was "As Real As It Gets". The band changed their style as the CD featured a large thrash metal influence, as well as abrasive, near-black metal. The new style and worldwide distribution led to tours with bands such as Anthrax.

In early 2006 "The Beginning Of The End" was released on Abacus Records, a division of Century Media focusing on underground metal and hardcore inspired bands. The new record displayed more thrash influence, and was immediately followed with a national tour with Six Feet Under. They have also toured with Dying Fetus, Hatebreed, and were apart of Ozzfest in 2005.

In 2007, they were on the Trendkill Tour alongside Kataklysm, As Blood Runs Black, Too Pure To Die, and Suicide Silence.

They were asked by long time friends, Earth Crisis, to be apart of their reuinon tour.

On March 29, 2008 the music video for the first single debuted on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball. The video for "A Place of Solace" from the "Maniacal" CD was directed and shot by [http://www.mgenyc.com David Brodsky] and edited by Allison Woest.

Discography

As Mindset
*"Demo" - 1998
*"State Of Mind 7" - 1998, Back ta Basics
*"New Found Hope II - The First Amendment" - compilation appearance 1997

As Sworn Enemy
*"Negative Outlook" - 2001, Stillborn Records
*"Integrity Defines Strength" - 2002, Stillborn Records
*"As Real As It Gets" - 2003, Elektra/Stillborn Records
*"Internet Promo" - 2005 (two new demo mp3s spread by lead singer Sal Lococo through the East Coast Hardcore Messageboard)
*"The Beginning Of The End" - 2006, Abacus Records
*Maniacal - 2008, Century Media

Members

Current members
* Sal Lococo - Vocals
* Lorenzo Antonucci - Guitar
* Jamin Hunt - Guitar
* Sid - Bass
* Jerad Buckwalter - Drums

Former members
* Guitar
** Mike Raffinello
* Bass
** Edward Kilpatrick
** Mike Couls
** Jimmy "Hardcore"
** "Black" Shawn
** Mike Palmer
* Drums
** Paul Antignai
** Paul Wallmaker
** Zoli

External links

* [http://www.swornenemynyc.com/ "Official website"]
* [http://www.myspace.com/swornenemy "Sworn Enemy"] at "MySpace"
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Sworn+Enemy "Sworn Enemy"] at "Last.fm"