_{Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)}

South Australia’s heavy music scene has always been home to some incredible hidden gems, and the talent just keeps stacking. I CHOOSE VIOLENCE is one of those elevating the standard and the proof of this comes in the form of their latest EP An Enemy To Life Itself.

If this is your first introduction to I CHOOSE VIOLENCE, here is what you need to know: they are disgustingly heavy. A furious blend of death metal, black metal and hardcore, they combine some of the nastiest breakdowns with a eclectic sonic palette of brutality. This is the foundation of their sound and it continues in the latest release.

Opening with the title track, ‘An Enemy To Life Itself‘ delivers a tasty layer of riffs and thunderous groove. Vicious vocals from frontman Michael Boakes take it up an even higher notch, delivering lines trenched in self-hatred and morbid reflection. The track also features a guest feature from THEURGY/KIN vocalist Louie Workman, helping create a real juxtaposition of gutterals and rabid noise.

The next song ‘Ashes of War’ is a little slower in it’s delivery, but it that groove is ever present. Trudging a long at a pace that allows you to just settle in. The hardcore influences put their head up with the two-step worthy sections, but the licks and guitar work leans more into that death metal/deathcore sphere. A well placed pinched harmonic always adds points from me but one of my favourite, perhaps a little understated parts, of this one is the bass. It works as the framework, allowing everybody else to be flashy. Another Adelaide young gun also features on this one, Chapel Hill‘s Harry Dunn– a name if you haven’t come across yet, you really need to.

‘Competitive Grief’ scratches the itch for those who gravitate to a heavier, more ‘metal’ sounding metalcore track. The choruses sit on the edge of breakdowns, and that classic two-step groove is blended beautifully with that more metal/death metal inspired riffage. This is the perfect track to have one of the GOATs of this style of music featuring on it. I’m talking about the legendary Brandan Schieppati of Bleeding Through. It actually could almost pass off as a Bleeding Through track, but not in a mimic kind of way, but certainly inspired.

When it comes to listening to an extended release, it is the little things that set it apart from just a collection of singles. I like the subtle way I CHOOSE VIOLENCE uses an eerie soundscape to blend the songs together. It does not overdo it, but it creates atmosphere and this is especially evident in the way ‘Sufferance’ appears. The way the guitars break through the creepy mood, it is almost anthemic. It feels a little old school in the best way. This instrumental is gritty and is almost like a breath of air between the brutality. It is still heavy as hell, but it allows you to just soak in what you’ve heard so far.

Especially before jumping into the EP finale, ‘Sanguine (RE)Dirge’, a re-up of a previous release.

There is an overarching theme of suffering and manipulation in the lyrics, a poetic expression of anguish and particularly in this last song, it really comes through both vocally and instrumentally. We kick the speed and the ferocity back up, and those shrieking vocals combined with the soaring guitars is the cherry on top. The breakdown is a work of art, raw but precise. Add the blast beats and pinched harmonics, and it honestly just comes across as the perfect piece of metal music. Like it’s tailor made for my tastes.(I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that.)

Overall An Enemy To Life Itself, delivers everything it really promises right from the start. It is heavy. It is a sonic expression of violent catharsis, presented in a stunning blend of different metal stylings. I CHOOSE VIOLENCE are fast creating themselves an identity and a signature sound, and this EP further solidifies that.

I can’t wait to hear it live.

8.5/10

_{An Enemy To Life Itself by I CHOOSE VIOLENCE is out now. Find a stream link here.}

<sub>I CHOOSE VIOLENCE is Michael Boakes (Vocals, Composer), Jake Schultz (Guitar), Cameron Bailey (Guitar and Backup vocals), Dylan Ransom (Bass) and Jean Michael Herradura (Drums) (live).

Drums on EP by Rory Amoy.</sub>

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