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9 out of 10
Back in the fog shrouded days of 2006, a band released an album that paid homage to metal and rock gods of old. This band was The Sword. The album received some good press and a lot of acclaim for its worship of the riff. It was a very good album.
Fast forward to 2009 and The Sword have since toured the world, released the follow up "Gods Of The Earth", had more critical reviews and the crowning glory...and the reason for this double pack, a support slot on Metallica’s UK tour.
How things turn out eh? But it's all good. The Sword certainly knows a good riff and has a detailed knowledge of classic rock and metal. "Age Of Winters" catered to their influences maybe more than is good at times but you can’t knock tracks like "Winter’s Wolves" and "The Horned Goddess" for sheer riff quality and shredding solos. Add in Guitar Hero anthem "Freya" and it's bang on one of the best riff albums of years.
So then "Gods Of The Earth" came out and it seemed like The Sword had grown up. The influences had been assimilated into their sound a lot more subtly and the tracks had a more cohesive flow. On first listen it didn’t seem as obvious and cool as "Age Of Winters" but after repeated listens (it's definitely a grower) the riffs and melodies work their way into your head. "Fire Lances...", "How Heavy This Axe" and pretty much every other track on here will be rolling around your head after a few listens.
If you missed them first time around then this is a good chance to get in on something cool.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thesword
Tracklist:
Ages Of Winters:
1. Celestial Crown
2. Barael’s Blade
3. Freya
4. Winter’s Wolves
5. The Horned Goddess
6. Iron Swan
7. Lament For The Auroch
8. March Of The Lor
9. Ebethron
Gods Of The Earth:
1. The Sundering
2. Frost Giants Daughter
3. How Heavy This Axe
4. Lords
5. Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephrans
6. To Take The Black
7. Maiden, Mother & Crone
8. Under The Boughs
9. The Black River
10. The White Sea
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