|
Listen to "Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians," the finest track here, and one of the most pure headbangers in recent memory. They're sometimes bluesy, sometimes more purely metallic and driving. From beginning to end.Either you think the riffs rock or you don't. There's nothing original here nor anything especially sophisticated, though they do display some subtle dynamics.
The Sword defy any serious, considered analysis. If you think that rules, you will likely think it all rules. I do, almost without exception. They are a straight up, pounding doom/stoner throwback group with a bit of thrashy intensity thrown in.
Anyway, it rocks like all hell. If so, check it out. The songwriting centers almost entirely on the series of riffs and Sabbath style melodies and harmonies. The vox are a limited, thin croak (though with a surprising number of hooks thrown in) and the drumwork is pure thunder.
very sabbathy- one friend thought it slightly redundant, they're opening for mettalica what else do you need to know. very cool. many metal influences to be found on this cd.
So, after analyzing the CDs and the concert, I decided to write a review.First of all, The Sword is pretty good. Also, the vocals are VERY low. About a week later, my wife bought Metallica tickets for my birthday, and, coincidentally, The Sword was one of the opening acts. Well, someone must have been in the studio with The Sword saying "I gotta have more cymbals." Sometimes the cymbals, or least the loudness of them, interfere with the music. I'm always on the lookout for new bands, so I listened to some samples of The Sword on Amazon.
The vocals and cymbals (or lack of) were better live. Just straight up heavy rock. I'm no production expert, but to me it was noticeable. As for the concert, they were REALLY good. I highly recommend both CDs.I do have a couple of concerns for any future albums they put out. But the good far outweighs the bad here, and I look forward to where The Sword goes from here. The guitars are great. Well, I hate to say it, I don't remember ANY hard rock from the 70's with vocals this low.
Sounded pretty good, so I bought both Cds. I read some reviews about how this is sort of intentional, like they are a throwback to the 70's. But I highly recommend both albums. I agree with most reviewers who say they are sort of like Black Sabbath playing Dungeons and Dragons. Does anyone remember the skit on Saturday Night Live where Christopher Walken tells Blue Oyster Cult "I gotta have more cow bell.".
It strikes a nerve almost like great classical music, as far as the way I listen to it. There's only 2 songs I got tired of quickly: Fire Lances and Under the Boughs.One thing that really separates The Sword from similar bands is the amount of instrumental music. The drumming is absolutely incredible and goes a long way towards giving the songs legs. It's something I can listen to actively or as background in my headphones while I work.As mentioned by others, the lyrics are very cheesy, but that doesn't detract from how enjoyable the music is to listen to. Listning to The Black River/The White Sea combo is 10 minutes of musical joy. I got The Sword's first album based on the song Freya on Guitar Hero.
The songs are more varied and the riffs within them more varied. Some songs are completely instrumental and even songs with lyrics have long sections that are primarily instrumental. At first I didn't like the album, but I found I kept listening and it grew on me quite a bit. It's been nearly 9 months and it's still a CD I listen to very reguarly. Just don't let someone catch you singing the lyrics. I gave that album 3.5-4 stars.Gods of the Earth is a fantastic 2nd effort.
Some songs flow almost seamlessly.
I am more of a Thrash and Power Metal guy, but this is a great album. Certainly Sabbath inspired music, with more modern Kyuss style guitar riffs. A rare find in today's climate of over the top vocals (everyone sounds like they need a throat lozenge) and uber fast guitars.
|
