The Sword
Warp Riders

Being old inside and not showing it. No, they are young Texan metallers. I'm talking about the riffs. They reek of whiskey and Black Sabbath. Finally. Yes, because it's not easy to find bands capable of delivering so well while sounding so dated. The production helps, making everything more current and accessible to the average metalhead.

I've always liked them. From their debut and that "Freya" that still makes my head spin today. The (relative) commercial success came almost immediately, but it is thanks to this latest work that The Sword really hit the big time. Hats off. It's not easy to sell with a product like this, not comparable to mainstream chart rock.

The sci-fi concept (the cover is indicative!) unfolds in songs of medium length. Around 4 minutes, just enough not to bore. The first single, "Tres Brujas", is the epitome of the group's music. Compelling riffs inherited from the heaviest Hard Rock, low and epic voice. Simple lyrics. In short, everything to put a smile on our faces in these gray winter days.

The true masterpiece is "Lawless Lands". It got me incredibly pumped. The chorus is simply spectacular. Syncopated rhythm in the verses and a super vocal line for a song that would do well even on a 30-year-old CD. 

Since we're not missing anything, our guys do well even in instrumental pieces. The opener or the lightning-fast "Astraea's Dream" are there to prove it.

We mentioned before about the production. "Warp Riders" doesn't feel over-produced ("despite" the work behind the computer by Matt Bayles, already the producer of Mastodon for that matter), giving a genuine feeling. 

I don't want to dwell too long on individual songs because all I care about is making you understand that these Texans deserve a listen at high volume.

For those who haven't heard them yet (on DeBaser there are already great reviews of their previous two works) "Warp Riders" is a good way to enter the world of The Sword.