Texan stoner metallers ‘The Sword’ were formed in 2003. After writing on his own for a while, Vocalist/Guitarist John decided to form a band with guitarist Kyle and Drummer Trivett. Their first demo was released in 2003 named ‘Age of Winters.  Shortly after this the trio became a quartet with bassist Bryan. Two more demos were then released and after performing at a festival in 2005 the band were signed to New York label Kemado Records. In February 2006 their debut album ‘Age of Winters’ was released. Most of the material on this was written before the band became a unit by founding member John J.D. To get recognition from the album, the band decided to tour throughout 2006 and 2007 and gaining support acts from the likes of legends Lamb of God and Lacuna Coil. In 2006 the band were featured on Guitar Hero with the track ‘Freya’ The Sword then decided to release this as a single a year later. Two split CD’s, four singles and two more albums later, a record label change (Now Razor and Tie Entertainment in the USA and Napalm in Europe) and a drummer change (now Jimmy Vela) to 2012… The album Apocryphon…

Looking at the artwork, and like the covers before, they are nothing short of cool! But is the album worthy too?

There’s nothing too arty farty with the intro to the first track ‘Veil of Isis’. However, it must have cost them a few bob to hire Ozzy for the vocals… Joking aside though… a great bouncy almost stoner rock riff, vocals fitting like a glove , a relaxed drum beat and groovy bass lines… Yes, I have a good feeling about this album..

‘Cloak of Feathers’ opens with a Black Sabbath style riff, and the vocals…. being a big Ozzy fan I feel a tad bad saying this, but Ozzy would be chuffed as chips if he could sing like this.  The bass in this track is superb, holding it all together. The guitars come in waves in quite a trippy yet cool way. I was actually shocked to see the bands picture wasn’t a full on hippy clan.

Granted, a lot of the album sounds quite similar, for example ‘Arcane Montane’ sounds a lot like ‘Cloak of Feathers, but this band are quite easily likeable. With a couple of different genres in there, for example sludge rock, stoner rock and heavy rock…. there’s plenty to go at.

At first listen to ‘The Hidden Masters’ I was wanting get my flares on and to roll up a spliff and get comfy in a corner… pure relaxation…. with the all the instruments just entwining with each other and the vocals floating along with it.. Definitely one to chill out to.. But I don’t smoke the weed… Glass of wine for me then!

And now for something you weren’t expecting after that rainbow riding hippy stuff , So put your joint down, get the beer out and let’s get rocking!.‘Dying Earth’ with its heavy riffs and guitar solos of certain doom and impressively talented drumming patterns. Following on with the heavier style with ‘Execrator’ I’m almost tempted in saying it sounds a lot like earlier Foo Fighters stuff?

Moving on to ‘Hawks and Serpents’ for the kick ass fists in the air riffs. Adding a little difference again with the vocals with more of a shouting than relaxed style. Then there’s ‘Eyes of the Stormwitch’, again, am I listening to Mr O himself?? A brilliant track yet I can’t help but THINK… If I wanted to listen to Sabbath, then I would….. So just a little bit of a difference needed guys!!

Lastly ‘Apocryphon’ which contains a cracking spacey effect as well as some fantastic drumming and riffing to melt even the roughest heavy metallers grubby face off.. Not a bad way to end an album!

A great CD, and a band with so much more to offer. But for now if you’re skint and you can’t afford to see the legends that are Sabbath, then go see the poor man’s Sabbath instead… The Sword!

 (7/10 Charlene Rance)

http://www.swordofdoom.com