by Greg Prato

Since heavy metal's inception, each decade has had periods where a metal-related subgenre has ruled the scene. The '80s saw the emergence of glam and thrash metal, the '90s saw grunge, doom, and rap-metal, and the early 21st century is loaded with bands that combine thrash and hardcore together (also with elements of noise thrown in), including Sworn Enemy. Hailing from Queens, NY, the quintet returned with its sophomore release in early 2006, The Beginning of the End (which coincided with a spot opening for the Anthrax reunion tour). As with most modern-day hardcore metal bands, there's loads of riffs, speedy tempos, double bass drumming, and vocals that drool with venom. Produced by As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis, The Beginning of the End is a no-frills hardcore metal album. In other words, there are no surprises and no musical detours -- it's exactly the way that hardcore and thrash metal first wavers played it -- as evidenced by such tracks as "Forgotten" and the title track. If you like your metal angry and straightforward, The Beginning of the End meets all the necessary prerequisites.