Sworn Enemy is an American metallic hardcore / crossover thrash band from New York City. Biography The band formed 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 on founding members: vocalist Sal Lococo, lead guitarist Lorenzo Antonucci, second 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 three-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 broader 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 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 as well as a stint on Ozzfest that year. 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 and Hatebreed. 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 longtime friends, Earth Crisis, to be a part of their reunion tour. On March 29, 2008, the music video for the first single debuted on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. The video for "A Place of Solace" from the Maniacal CD was directed and shot by David Brodsky