The band formed in 1997 as Mindset, a product of the extremely expansive and influential New York Hardcore scene. Since its inception the band has centered around vocalist Sal Lococo and guitarist Lorenzo Antonucci.
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 3 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, Lorenzo, Mike Raffinello, Jimmy Sagos and Paul changed their name to Sworn Enemy.
The band continued to improve and play shows anywhere they could, making an incredible name for themselves in a very short time. In 2001 the band released Negative Outlook on Jamey Jasta's Stillborn Records. The record was a brutal mix of old school hardcore punk and new school breakdowns and attitude, and it quickly gained the band attention in the entire 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's association with Stillborn and hard working business ethic led to the band signing a release deal with Elektra Records in 2003. The result was As Real As It Gets. It was clear that the band was expanding their style as the CD featured a large thrash metal influence, as well as abrasive, near-black metal styled vocals on Sal's part. The new style and worldwide distribution led a large number of heavy metal fans to Sworn Enemy, as did tours with bands such as Anthrax.
In early 2006 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 even more thrash influence, and was immediately followed with a national tour with Six Feet Under.
Shortly after the release of The Beginning of the End, Abacus Records folded and Sworn Enemy was once again without a label. This time, their former parent company Century Media took them in, and the band released the heavier, thrash-metal inspired Maniacal in 2008. Though the album was well-received, Century Media decided not to renew their contract and the band was released. They quickly bounced back and released Total World Domination in June 2009 via Regain Records.
Beginning Of The End
Sworn Enemy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soft spoken with no lies
A man for the people
Not one to beg not one to shout
Teacher to all for what this lifes about
Nothing to gain what's so insane
He's known better to all just for his pain
Mother dearest waiting to send
This is the beginning of the end
This is the beginning of the end
Fate of millions rests in my hands
Now this do I understand
Rivers of red running throught my head
I walk this path alone made up of the dead
The strength of the few runs through my veins
Forgive the forgive the killers the bringers of pain
On that morning somethings dawning
Ray of light broke throught the sky
Save a prayer for our brothers
Consequence of one tiny lie
Father tells me of my journey
To a place I wish to be
But I must forsake my life
And travel down this path of agony
This is the beginning of the end
This is the beginning of the end
This is the end.
The lyrics in Sworn Enemy's song "Beginning of the End" speak of sacrifice, pain, and the weight of responsibility. The opening lines ask for forgiveness of sins and establish a persona who is truthful and compassionate. The second verse shifts the focus to the singer, who understands that the fate of millions rests in their hand. They are haunted by visions of blood and death but are driven by the strength of a select few individuals. The lyrics suggest a need for redemption, as the singer asks for forgiveness even for those who cause pain and suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
Forgive them of all their sins
Asking for forgiveness for sins committed by others
Soft spoken with no lies
Speaking in a gentle and truthful manner
A man for the people
A person who stands up for the rights and interests of the public
Not one to beg not one to shout
Someone who does not resort to shouting or begging to get their way
Teacher to all for what this lifes about
A person who provides guidance and education about the meaning and purpose of life
Nothing to gain what's so insane
Acting in a way that seems irrational because there is no personal gain involved
He's known better to all just for his pain
The person is respected and recognized for enduring hardships and personal suffering
Mother dearest waiting to send
The person's mother is eagerly anticipating their departure
Her son to the beginning of the end
The person is being sent on a journey towards a destructive or fatal outcome
This is the beginning of the end
The point of no return; the start of a catastrophic event
Fate of millions rests in my hands
The responsibility for the lives of many is placed on the person's shoulders
Now this do I understand
The person has come to the realization of the gravity of the situation
Rivers of red running throught my head
The person is experiencing violent and bloody thoughts or memories
I walk this path alone made up of the dead
The person is going through a dangerous journey alone, surrounded by death and destruction
The strength of the few runs through my veins
The person draws strength from the support of a small group of people
Forgive the forgive the killers the bringers of pain
Preaching forgiveness towards those who have caused harm or inflicted pain
On that morning somethings dawning
A feeling of something significant and life-changing about to happen
Ray of light broke throught the sky
A sudden, bright and possibly positive change in the situation
Save a prayer for our brothers
Asking for protection and mercy for other people in a similar situation
Consequence of one tiny lie
A small and seemingly insignificant lie that snowballed into a much bigger problem
Father tells me of my journey
The person's father informs them of the path they must undertake
To a place I wish to be
The destination of the journey is desirable and chosen by the person
But I must forsake my life
The person must abandon their previous life and identity for the journey
And travel down this path of agony
The person knows that the journey ahead will be difficult and painful
This is the end.
An ominous and final statement, indicating there is no going back from the events to come
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
savvas katir
00:00 Forgotten
02:45 Scared of the Unknown
06:25 The Beginning of The End
09:47 Save Your Breath
13:54 Absorb the Lies
17:10 All I Have
20:48 We Hate
23:46 No Second Chances
25:56 After the Fall
28:51 Here Today
32:26 Weight of the World
One of the Best albums, beginning to the end.
savvas katir
00:00 Forgotten
02:45 Scared of the Unknown
06:25 The Beginning of The End
09:47 Save Your Breath
13:54 Absorb the Lies
17:10 All I Have
20:48 We Hate
23:46 No Second Chances
25:56 After the Fall
28:51 Here Today
32:26 Weight of the World
One of the Best albums, beginning to the end.
Sd Ny
I played with them on this album & the oncoming storm. Great band & such good guys. They looked out for my band in so many ways. When so many bands hated on other bands. They where real stand up guys. Out of all the bands I opened for. These guys by far where the coolest. They even gave our demo to thier record company. I will never forget how cool they where. Sworn Enemy fan for life.
Matt Gardner
Oncoming storm was Unearth
Lennart R. // LK Bonsai
sworn enemy - the beginning of the end, shattered realm - from the dead end blocks and terror - one with the underdogs, best hardcore albums of all time!!!
GodTheBear
Easily one of the best albums I've ever purchased.
David Johnson
Sworn Enemy are Easily up there with the best N.Y.H.C bands of all time, along with Agnostic front
Cro-mags
Sick of it all
Biohazard
Life of agony
And the list goes on
Madsen Madsen
My favorite Sworn Enemy album
painkiller666666666
new song sounds promising!
Jeff Petersen
This album is why I love heavy music
jOkA1990CRO
Great album.