New to the modern hard rock scene, Swear On Your Life came from New York in 2005. Combining a Queen and Rage Against The Machine sound, the band reminds you of a group you’d see some fan of hard rock listening to on a normal basis meaning, this band fits right in with the mixes that you’d hear on your local rock station.
Combining some pretty brutal riffs with melodic singing, Swear On Your Life should really appeal to fans of bands like Chevelle or God Smack with their EP release “Burn My Crosses” it should really catch your eye if you’re a hard rock lover.
Burn My Crosses starts out with the self-titled song and holds strong really well. Each track has something satisfying whether it’s Militia’s growls or melodic vocals.
Another great thing about this EP is the variation. Sometimes you see bands that have “every song sounds the same syndrome” well not here! Each track mixes up the mix if you get what I mean.
In the end, Burn My Crosses is a great pre-release. The band has a lot to offer to a large crowd because they’re original. So, fans of modern hard rock add something new to your play list. I know I will and I’m a kind of guy that likes mainly hardcore and black metal bands but hey, got to have variety!
-Patrick Stevens
+ SWEAR ON YOUR LIFE +: Press
"I love (MilitiA.'s) voice and their sound. I got other DJ's to listen (to their record) and they're playing it!"
Julie Ryan - 90.5 KHSU radio in Arcata, CA
MilitiA is Coming…
(You can run, but you can't hide)
Craigslist...your ultimate source for finding roommates, used furniture, an apartment, a few laughs in the "Missed Connections" section and…starting a brand new metal band that will quickly take over the mainstream consciousness?
It can happen. And has. Just ask MilitiA and the rest of the guys in the band Swear On Your Life.
In 2005, Ed Strohsahl (bassist) and Marc Reischer (guitarist) placed a notice on Craigslist for a singer and soon found MilitiA-who'd already been heavily involved in the music business (which included appearances on MTV2 & Fuse).
In 2007, with the inclusion of Chip Thomas as drummer (the original SoYL drummer left the band in 2006) the band recorded the "Burn My Crosses" EP-a hard hitting, rhythmic tour-de-force. With heavy bass lines that will make you think of Skunk Anansie's bassist, Cass (ok, if you don't know Skunk Anansie, you'll have no idea what I'm talking about. So pick up Paranoid & Sunburnt. Like, NOW.) and remind you that bass isn't *just* a supporting instrument, SoYL shoots straight for the gut. With cleverly written lyrics (including the song "Hate Out Loud" which actually contains the words "textual deviation") and the vocals of MilitiA–forceful and dominant, she will win you over–SoYL is posed for definite success. So, go look up their EP, "Burn My Crosses" and check 'em out for yourself.
"(Burn My Crosses is) in heavy rotation and it will be in our library forever."
Alt. Rock MD - 90.7FM KALX radio in Berkeley, CA
Geez. I'm having one of those nights where I can't open that bottle of my favorite nail polish. So, in a pink polish rage, I get to it: "Vengeance Is Mine" from the new Burn My Crosses CD sung by MilitiA with the band Swear on Your Life. In the first surging 10 seconds of MilitiA's earth-shaking voice, my stomach twists and I tear off the top of the polish bottle with my teeth, loosening a molar. So worth it! Available on DigStation for download now. Check out the Anime video of their song "Close to Life" on YouTube.
—Susan DiPronio
Artist
It’s not often you get to see an African-American woman front a full-on metal band, but not only does MilitiA do that, she rocks the joint. SWEAR ON YOUR LIFE has released a 5-song EP, “Burn My Crosses” (swearonyourlife.com), which keeps the heavy in the metal. Crushing guitar (Marc Reischer), a bass (Ed Strohsahl) that rocks steady, a pounding drum (Chip Thomas), and MilitiA on a loud, yet somehow unconventional sounding vox, which enhances the experience. Her voice is clear throated rather than growling, which is a nice touch. And having met her, she definitely adds a lot in personality as the front of this band. From what I was told, they have since added an additional guitar, so look forward to that much more of a full sound. From the title cut through “Vengeance is Mine” and “Hate Out Loud”, this is – if you’ll pardon the cliché – a full-throttle engine revving on high octane, going 100 down a narrow road.