THE SWORD is back, and goddamn if they aren’t mighty as hell.
On the Austin bands latest effort, WARP RIDERS, The Sword presents a concept album brooding with science-fiction from front to back, wrapped in a tasty nugget of hardcore stoner metal. From the moment the artwork hit the web looking like a long forgotten cover for an early 1980’s ATARI 2600 game cartridge, my interest was piqued. Would there be a let down? Not hardly.
Fans of Monster Magnet, Cathedral, or Dave Grohl’s Probot project will not be disappointed.
The album grooves as it chugs, “Arrows in the Dark” being a prime example of the fine musicianship and songwriting on display here. “The Chromancer I: Hubris” inspired a little in-office head bobbing and foot-stomping here, and that pretty much says it all – you can move to this.
“Lawless Lands,” the title track, “The Chromancer II: Nemesis” (love the riffage around 2:03) – all standouts on an album that will be rocking speakers hard for years to come.
For some reason, I have a craving to hear this one on Vinyl.
Rating: 4/5
