Baton Rouge has long been a pressure cooker for heavy music, but Voice Of The Enemy are currently turning the heat up to a scalding degree. Their latest offering, ‘Sharks’, isn't just a standard addition to the Louisiana metal canon; it’s a claustrophobic, groove-laden descent into the depths of the human psyche.
While the band has always flirted with aggression, ‘Sharks’ sees them leaning into their groove metal foundations with a renewed, predatory focus. The result is a sonic shift that feels more muscular and calculated than their previous work. This isn't just noise for the sake of it but a carefully constructed and vicious atmosphere of dread.
The track’s power lies in its raw, vulnerable origin story. Recorded in a personal studio and polished to a sharp edge by Ross Johnson, the production allows the lyrical weight to hit just as hard as the percussion. The song serves as a visceral metaphor for a period of personal upheaval, specifically a toxic relationship that felt like a life-or-death struggle for air.
“The song captures the feeling of being in a hostile home environment,” the band explains. “Several years back, I was in a very unhealthy relationship that made it feel like I was stuck in the middle of the ocean. I have crippling thalassophobia (the fear of deep water) so this song encapsulates that feeling of being surrounded by sharks in an unfamiliar environment.”
That sense of isolation isn't limited to the domestic sphere, however. ‘Sharks’ cleverly pivots to address the wider, suffocating grip of social anxiety, making it an anthem for anyone who feels like they are treading water in a room full of predators.
Musically, the gamble to revisit their roots has paid off. By embracing the rhythmic chug and syncopated energy of groove metal, the band has stumbled upon a fresh identity. “We leant very heavily into our groove metal roots with this song, and in doing so, something entirely different from the rest of our catalogue came out on the other side.”
