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The Sword comes from Austin, Texas.

Apparently they have Dungeons and Dragons in Austin.

That is not an insult.

After being one of the biggest buzz bands from last year's SXSW, the Sword have unleashed their beast of a debut album on us all by way of hip indie label Kemado. And beast it is. While most modern metal bands rely on genre to define their sound, the Sword are content with paying tribute to their obvious classic influences (Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden) while stirring up the same sort of fervor that High on Fire and Mastodon generated in the past two years. Believe you me: Age of Winters is the essential metal album of 2006.

The Sword manage to blast their way through sludge, stoner, thrash, and any other type of metal that you want to throw at them. And they'll do it while singing about demons and swords and shit. And they'll do it better than your favorite metal band.

Age of Winters is mainly comprised of ass-shredding dual guitar melodies reminiscent of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest (but not denying Buzz Osbourne's droning palm muting) while the bass hits a heavy low end like a good sludge or stoner band should. The drums range over any style that currently sutis the mood of the guitars. And expertly fill in not only the beat, but act as another weapon in this arsenal to be used expertly in this ultimate battle. Ahem. What I meant to say is that the drums function like another instrument, showing off with fills that fit in time perfectly with the moving riffs.

Standout tracks include "The Horned Goddess" with its soaring laid-back tempo and dreamy harmonies and "Iron Swan," which starts with acoustic classical music and moves into the major thrash riff on the album. Each song tops out at about five minutes, with "Lament for the Auroch" hitting nearly eight minutes, almost doubling the other tracks for longest track on the album. The main riff from "Lament for the Auroch" treads in "Iron Man" territory, stealing my award for Best Sabbath Riff 2006.

But what the fuck is the point of talking about individual tracks? This band fucking slays. That's all you need to know. A perfect album that works its way through so many metal riffs in just forty-three minutes that I almost feel like there's no point in listening to any other metal band. Almost.



People who liked this also liked:
The Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartAt The Drive-In - Relationship Of CommandAlkaline Trio - Maybe I'll Catch FireAndrew Jackson Jihad - People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the WorldThe Clash - London CallingTeenage Bottlerocket - Warning DeviceDoomriders - Black ThunderAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyTragedy - TragedyAngry Samoans - Back from Samoa



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    Posted by dazed on 2007-02-23 03:51:58
    My Score:

    Just heard this. This band sounds like they got 90% of their sound from Kyuss just with a different lyrical bent. That's good, though, because Kyuss were awesome. Also agreeing with whoever said Torche is better, but this is definitely worth checking out too.

    Posted by DenBez on 2006-09-01 23:41:48
    My Score:

    Oh man, this is my favorite record ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 6:39 PM (EDT)

    how are bands influenced by sabbath, sabbath rip-offs? fuckin' idiot. Are they covering their songs or something?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 7:59 PM (EDT)

    seriously, do we need another wave of sabbath rip offs?

    Posted by wrongstring on 2006-05-09 19:13:52

    check out Witch and Black Mountain if you like the sword.
    sasquatch is rad too.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 12:55 AM (EDT)

    Wolfmother is gay.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 12:44 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    It's a good release, but i wouldnt give it a perfect score. All the songs have the same formula, and at times it seems like ive heard the same riff in the previous track. Can anyone tell me why their video is on mtv2? thanks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 2:38 AM (EDT)

    It's all just rock and roll. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

    Posted by feeeding5000 on 2006-05-05 20:49:57

    Ok...so I know from the metalheads at school that punk is not metal, but is metal punk?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 7:32 PM (EDT)

    how old are these dudes? i think people nowadays only get into D&D so they can start bands and then other people can think they are cool for being into D&D. d&d is so outdated and useless in this day and age

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 5:14 PM (EDT)

    I can dig it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 4:26 PM (EDT)

    Get a bunch of buddies. Slam as many PBRs as you can and put this shit on! But move all furniture out of your living room, b/c I'm telling you, you will destroy shit. Couldn't of put it any better. This album slays!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 4:08 PM (EDT)

    torche is better

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2006-05-05 15:11:32

    this sounds savage, i'll check it out

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 3:09 PM (EDT)

    Jesse have you heard torche... Theyve played with these guys... Definately check them out

    Posted by iamfuckyou on 2006-05-05 13:06:27

    single handedly the most trustworthy taste-in-music/music taster on the ole PN....good review.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 12:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This band is cool and all, but

    http://www.blackmetal.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?catego ry=search&item=FBP039EP&type=store

    ^best metal release of the year

    -Will

    Posted by chokingvictim on 2006-05-05 11:48:27
    My Score:

    Wolfmother > The Sword

    Posted by elliot on 2006-05-05 11:22:29

    not a bad band, but there is no way in hell this deserves a 10.

    Posted by sirens on 2006-05-05 10:23:58

    better riff than Tina Bring Me the Axe? For shame.

    I'll have to hear it first.

    Posted by alex_pastepunk on 2006-05-05 09:51:22
    My Score:

    Agreed on nearly all counts. This album rips and makes me want to grow my beard out and become a viking. I still think they could benefit from a more expansive sounding production and I'd like to hear more twin guitar harmonies and melodies, but this is a hell of a debut.

    Posted by testiclese on 2006-05-05 02:42:18
    My Score:

    i wouldnt give it five stars... but it has been rockin hard since i got it

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 2:29 AM (EDT)

    so...i'm a stoner but i dont like metal, should i check them out?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 2:15 AM (EDT)

    Yeah, the Sword is awesome. They pretty much cover every different kind of metal and play them all really well. Pays homage, and yet is original.

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