Review Summary: Sworn Enemy don't fail to impress as they bring a heavier, more focused offering than its predecessor, "Maniacal."
It's a really good feeling going to the music store to buy a new record or two. Sometimes you know exactly what you're going to buy, other times you see something and just decide to pick it up. This particular time was one of my better days getting new CDs. It was the day of the new Poison the Well coming out and I had to buy it. I drove to the store like a man on a mission and walked through the doors. "Hey what's this?" a voice said inside my head. It was Job For A Cowboy's new record "Ruination" and I picked it up. "Woah, wait what's this?" It was Sworn Enemy's newest offering "Total World Dominaton" which really intrigued me since I loved their last two records. Ironically, I got the new Poison the Well last but I left the store a very happy man :)
Just like Poison the Well, Sworn Enemy has gone through a lot of lineup changes and their sound has changed drastically over time. When you think of Sworn Enemy if hardcore is your first thought, go give them a new listen. Total World Domination is focused, powerful, crushing thrash metal that never lets up on you. The opening track, "Sell My Soul" is a good indicator of things to come with a solid palm muting riff intro followed by the drummer playing a similar double kick pattern. One thing that never fails to impress me with Sworn Enemy is the drumming. He always keeps things tasteful with different beats, most of which are just plain brutal. From time to time he does play some generic beats, but for the most part he doesn't and whatever he plays always fits the guitar riffs.
The second best thing about Sworn Enemy in my opinion of course is the guitar riffs. I'm a sucker for heavy thrash riffs and this album delivers them with brute force. Track number two, "Aftermath" pleases me immenesly with a few of my favorite guitar riffs off the whole album at 1:50 and 3:08. The guitar style of Sworn Enemy is fast palm muting riffs consisting of loads of triplets, power chords and notes on the two low strings for the most part. Not technical or genre breaking by any means, but they write very catchy riffs regardless. Kreator's album "Enemy of God" would be a good comparison in terms of style of riffing.
Though SE has broken from the hardcore scene almost totally, I don't think they can just give it up entirely as just with "Maniacal" some hardcore elements remain unfortunately. One of these key elements is the hardcore chants. This is a negative from my standpoint because they will be playing a thrashy riff and a hardcore chant will pop out of nowhere, ruining the vibe for a second.
3/4 signature, its time to break it down! but is it a bad thing this time around? I'd have to say NO with a whole heart. Sworn Enemy play some of the most crushing breakdowns you will ever hear that flow with the song so perfectly you ALMOST don't notice its there. They also don't rely on them for every song either and usually where their isn't a breakdown, a guitar solo takes place which should please just about everyone. Even in their 9th song they have a clip of a guy talking about being a tough guy, which includes a tidbit making fun of breakdowns which gave me a good laugh :)
Sworn Enemy's newest release doesn't let me down. With such high expectations from them after their last two outings I was afraid of being disappointed by this, but its a great thrash record. Do yourself a favor and buy this record and get a taste of the new and improved Sworn Enemy!
Highlights: Sell My Soul, Aftermath, Lies, Home of the Brave
4.5
