Getting Heavy with Sworn In

 Friday, May 25

Putting any specific label on a band these days can be a daunting task. Genres have splintered off into countless subgenres from which artists pull influence; arguably none has done more so than heavy metal. That may be why, according to their Facebook page, Illinois based band Sworn In choose to just define themselves as "heavy."

In reality, Sworn In plays a blend of Rise Records-esque metalcore, clean vocal choruses and all, like on the song "Make It Hurt" off of their latest album All Smiles, mixed with nu-metal vocal patterns with a rap-like delivery, and disgustingly sludgy beatdown guitar riffs like the opening of the song "Endless Gray." So yeah, simply calling themselves "heavy" is a bit easier.

When Sworn In comes to Erie at the end of this month, they'll be joined by bands with a more clear-cut genre to be placed in. Florida deathcore band Bodysnatcher and Georgia hardcore band Revenge Season make up the touring package, and filling out the local end of the bill are Erie metalcore Shiver, Erie hardcore Livid Life, and regional metalcore quintet Narwhal Bloodbath. — Tommy Shannon

6:30 p.m. // 145 W. 11th St. // $15 Advance, $20 doors // All Ages