Sworn Enemy, Wretched, Hammer Fight

New York is known as a sacred institution for heavy music. Shaped by ideals surrounding everyday life's trials and tribulations with an honest desperation and urgency, metal and hardcore have been as much about attitude as about the music. Ushering in a new age of crossover, paved by acts such as Anthrax, Agnostic Front and other New York vets, you can now add Sworn Enemy to the list of bands forming a caustic hybridization of thrashy, intense metal with the thud, and grit of hardcore.

Formed in Queens, NY in late 1997, it didn't take long for the music world to take notice of Sworn Enemy's crushing sound and delivery. While the hardcore underground boiled with excitement over the band, Sworn Enemy recorded their debut EP, Negative Outlook, for Stillborn Records, the label of Jamie Jasta (Hatebreed), in 2001. With overwhelming positive reactions from fans and critics alike, the EP pushed Sworn Enemy to the frontlines of proud New York Hardcore/metal acts. During this time, the band acquired the bass skills of Mike Couls of Detriot hardcore band Cold As Life, sharpening the band's impact into the most hardworking and intense band around. With this incarnation of Sworn Enemy, they toured relentlessly with acts such as God Forbid, Hatebreed, Unearth, D.R.I., American Nightmare and many more.

As the band's popularity grew, they signed to Elektra Records in early 2003 and released their debut full-length, As Real As It Gets; a lesson in brutal metal/hardcore crossover. The band earned a coveted spot on Ozzfest 2003, and continued to tour in support of the record. Parting ways with Elektra, but undeterred in their quest for delivering no frills, metallic hardcore, the band re-solidified their line-up with Jamin Hunt on bass to replace Mike Couls (who went on to join Agents Of Man). Now more dedicated than ever, the band have signed to Abacus Recordings and are prepared to drop their sophomore record, The Beginning Of The End, like a battering ram of violence.

Produced by Tim Lambesis (frontman for As I Lay Dying), engineered Steve Russell and mixed by Zeus (The Red Chord, Shadows Fall), The Beginning Of The End pulverizes even the most calloused listener. Recorded at Big Fish studios in San Diego, CA, during June 2005, the new record takes the hostility and conviction of the band to a new level of destruction.

The band's mission is simple, "To set the tone for the new age of metal," says vocalist/frontman Sal Enemy. "This record signifies a new chapter for us as a band, a new style of music." Revolving around topics of Politics, religion and everyday life, the new album showcases the band in their element, delivering heavy-hitting music with themes anyone can relate to. Forget what you know about Sworn Enemy, they're pushing their personal metallic assault way into the red without any care or regard to the current metalcore scene. "We don't follow any trends. We do it from the heart."


From the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina, WRETCHED has come to unleash their brand of technical death metal unto fans everywhere. Bursting with tight riffs and strong harmonies, they have taken the underground world by storm, unveiling their new take on old school thrash. Combining elements of heavy metal, technical death metal, European and melodic metal, this five-piece act has proven to crowds worldwide that WRETCHED is here to stay.

In September of 2005, drummer Marshall Wieczorek and guitarist Steven Funderburk got together and formed AND SINCE FORGOTTEN, their first attempt at a metal band. Gaining a strong following of locals playing the North Carolina circuit, Marshall and Steven were able to recruit Joel Moore, Billy Powers, and David Briggs and successfully tour the east coast. Taking notice, powerhouse label Victory Records offered the band a contract in 2008, and quickly released The Exodus of Autonomy, their first full-length record in 2009. Blowing competition away with their impressively methodical solos and stylized structure, WRETCHED received nationwide recognition. With a lineup change in 2010, WRETCHED now boasted guitarist John Vail and bassist Rico Marziali and felt confident these changes would propel them further into metal glory. Perfecting a new sound, they released Beyond the Gate later that year, pulling in more positive reviews than ever before. Implementing instrumental-based material into their death metal sensibilities, they were able to add to their already impressive fan base, showing the world they are not one-trick-ponies. Mixing up genres while still providing the scene with traditional growls and technical riffs, WRETCHED had opened the minds of music fans everywhere. Touring with the likes of KILLWHITNEYDEAD, DISKREET and HAVOK, they drew in thousands from the thrash, old school and hardcore scenes, creating a newfound sense of unison in the world of metal.

The success of Beyond the Gate proved too much for the band, who suffered another lineup change in 2011, creating what would be today's WRETCHED. With Adam Cody (GLASS CASKET) on lead vocals and Andrew Grevey on bass joining Marshall on drums and guitarists John and Steven, the group finally felt complete. Motivated by their new additions, they joined The Metal Alliance Tour alongside metal favorites, THE FACELESS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, DEVILDRIVER, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and DYING FETUS to premiere their 2012 creation, Son of Perdition. Shocking the scene with their hypnotic instrumental tracks paired with heavy-hitting beats, WRETCHED had taken a very deliberate step away from traditional metal. Fans and critics alike have fallen victim to WRETCHED's charismatic discography. Outburn Magazine cited, "the briefest listen proves how dedicated these musicians are to their craft" providing solos that "demonstrate both proficiency and a devotion to melody". Committed to breaking down boundaries, they are constantly perfecting their sounds and adding even more energy to their already electric live shows.

Due to popular demand, the band has been on a consistent tour cycle, including runs with thrash and death metal legends DEATH ANGEL, SIX FEET UNDER, SOILWORK, CATTLE DECAPITATION and more. Committed to spending every minute doing what they love, the band plans to provide the metal scene with new material, fresh ideas and killer tours for years to come.

Their new album, Cannibal, will be released on June 10th, just in time for their summer-long run on the Victory Records Stage at the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.


Spawned from a New Jersey scene saturated with death metal and hardcore, Hammer Fight brings a sound that many kids these days may have missed; Hard Rockin' Metal. Versatile enough to share the stage with the most extreme death metal acts to classic hard rock bands and everything in between. Hammer Fight is here to kick some ass! Keep your eyes and ears open, they'll be in your town soon.