"There's always been some metal in all of our records, as we're big metal fans."

Sworn Enemy - the metalcore masters from New York City - are back with a bew killer album, "Maniacal", which just came out in Europe via Century Media. We caught guitarist Jamin Hunt on the band's Persistence Tour with Hatebreed, Agnostic Front and Ignite to find out more about the record...

Alex Boyadjiev: You have a new record released on Century Media. Tell us something more about it, please.

Jamin Hunt: The new album is called "Maniacal", and it just got released here in Europe. It's one of our best records to date - it's a little heavier, more thrash, but it still has got all the old elements from our previous efforts. Besides, we had a great production on it - we got Jordan Mancino from As I Lay Dying playing drums, and Tim Lambesis from As I Lay Dying produced it. The record sounds amazing!

A. B.: By the way, where are you now?

J. H.: We're in Germany doing the Persistence Tour with Hatebreed, Agnostic Front, Ignite and a bunch of really great bands.

A. B.: You've got a 10-year career behind your back and a bunch of records on different labels. Now you're working with Century Media. How did you end up there?

J. H.: We were on Abacus Records, but they're no longer around. Century Media loved the record, so it kind of made sense to continue working with them in Europe.

A. B.: How does the European audience react to your new stuff? And how do you feel sharing the stage with bands like Hatebreed, Agnostic Front and Ignite?

J. H.: Everything's been great so far, so I have no doubts the Persistence Tour is gonna be amazing.

A. B.: You played in Russia as well, right?

J. H.: Yeah, we came back from Moscow yesterday.

A. B.: How was it?

J. H.: It was amazing! It was one of the best shows I've ever had in my life.

A. B.: Your previous record, "The Beginning of the End" (2006), was way more metal than hardcore sounding. Now, with "Maniacal", I'd say Sworn Enemy goes totally metal, thrash... Is this a natural progression? Why do you head in this direction?

J. H.: It was definitely a natural progression. There's always been some metal in all of our records, as we're big metal fans, so it came naturally. We're not trying to force anything or stay in this or that genre - we're just doing what makes us feel good.

A. B.: How would you compare the hardcore crowds to the metal audience?

J. H.: It seems like a lot more hardcore kids are going to metal shows, and metal kids come to hardcore shows... So far everybody that I've talked to is having a great time.

A. B.: Which bands do have the most fun touring and playing with?

J. H.: Right now I love hanging out with Agnostic Front. We share a bus and every night it's a lot of laugh and fun.

A. B.: What's up next for Sworn Enemy in 2008?

J. H.: Just push this record and let everybody know we're still here and kickin' ass!

Copyright: Tangra Mega Rock