I Choose Violence drop new EP, 'An Enemy To Life Itself'

This morning, South Australian deathcore legends dropped a hot new EP, An Enemy to Life Itself. The compilation is heavy breakdowns topped with raw lyricisms, utilising elements of both modern deathcore and classic heavy metal. Michael Boakes dominates on vocals, with impressive death metal fries, often paired with strong backing vocals from Cameron Bailey. Jake Schultz delivers a classic heavy metal sound on guitar. Dylan Ransom on bass and Rory Amoy on drums meet, creating a rhythmic lock that allows the song to flow.

the title track An enemy to life itself introduces us to the world the group is curating. Heavy breakdowns are met with deep yet controlled vocals and aggressive drumming, creating a clean yet powerful sound. The intense beat is paired with nihilistic lyrics, vulnerably exploring "the enemy (that) always wins”; death. We can hear the clear death influence from their bill mates Algor Mortis, as well as tried and true guitar riffs. 

Ashes of War slows the EP down a little, carrying a more traditional heavy metal sound. Desperate lyricism ridicules the world we live in, repeating the tortuous things that are truly happening to women and children in genocide ridden countries. A lyric that really hit is “Terrorism given justification is just weaponized compassion”. The track speaks for itself. Ending the song with the all too real sound of rifles destroying lives validates the story as no piece of fiction, but a harsh and heavy truth of our current world. 

Competitive grief explores the selfish side of love, and how this can tear a friendship apart. Guitar riffs are distorted to perfection, a sound of heavy metal paired with a pristine vocal fry that portrays emotion before lyrics are even considered. Throughout the track Boakes yearns for sincere connections, begging to “Suffer me as I had suffered you”

Sufferance is an instrumental story. As someone with a very visual mind, the track sets a clear scene, telling a tale from a faraway place, no words necessary. Sounds of heavy rain transport listeners to a gothic realm, before meeting an eerie piano that leads us by the hand into the breakdown. It devises a mysterious, mature and horror-esque atmosphere, eradicating the need for explicit lyrics. Though the vocals and lyrics are an impressive part of the album, this song is a stand out for me. 

Sanguine tackles the feeling of imprisonment, attached to “to a life of neglect and despair”, an all too relatable notion for many of us. The track is flawless, a smooth melody, charged guitars and pure anger; all you could ask for in a metal song. Machine like drumming is rhythmic and almost soothing before breaking into an electrifying end of the EP

I truly love this EP. The lyricism reflects upon devastating truths of our world, allowing space for us to reflect and feel inspired to make a change. The music is rage-fueled and blood boiling, allowing listeners to tune into the track and turn off the noise of our day to day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. One thing it is missing is a mosh pit, but lucky for our South Aussie friends, An Enemy to Live Itself will be played live in full at THERE WILL BE BLOOD VOLUME 1 July 25^th at Jive Adelaide. Be sure to check out the album here, and follow the boys on Instagram to keep up their journey.