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III |
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| Sword are a heavy metal band from Canada forming in 1980, releasing two albums - 'Metalized' (1986) and 'Sweet Dreams' (1988) - before the band parted ways while working on their third album! Reforming in 2011, the band performed at a few select shows in Canada and Germany, then headed back to the studio to finish what they'd started thirty years ago - the bands third album. Released in 2022, the album is simply titled 'III'. | ||||||
| Featuring the classic sound of traditional heavy metal, Sword storm through the eight songs on offer in a little over thirty minutes! Each and every one resonating with the feel of the eighties - and why wouldn't they? Most of them were written during that decade, the decade of heavy metal evolution when bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest were shaping the sound of traditional metal...while a few bands over in Canada were taking on this metal evolution - bands such as Anvil and (of course) Sword. The band open their new album with the bustling 'Bad Blood' - and a crescendo building intro that oozes anticipation. Adopting a mid tempo, very heavy foot stomp, 'Bad Blood' is a head noddingly addictive opening salvo that'll grab your attention and have you wondering just exactly what's to follow... | ||||||
| ...the fast paced and "foot on the monitor" gallop of '(I Am) In Kommand' that's what! Sword upping the ante and pushing forward with the classic sound of traditional heavy metal - the air filling with a very strong aroma of the old school...and as far as I'm concerned, old school is good! Very good - so get your neck muscles moving and head bang hard to a very head bang-able tune. A mighty NWOBHM sounding foot stomp takes over the airways, as 'Dirty Pig' marches into sight and swaggers forth. The fizzle and sizzle of the guitars is heart melting, taking me back to an era that was so developmental for heavy metal...the glorious eighties! An era that I was a part of, growing up as a teenager listening to legendary bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, and Saxon. And listening to Sword takes me right back to those halcyon days - and I'm loving it! 'Surfacing' is a one and a half minute heavily guitar led instrumental containing oodles of tension and anticipation...anticipation for what is to follow. | ||||||
| One of the finest buzzing guitar sounds of the NWOBHM you're ever likely to hear, courtesy of the plodding mid tempo 'Unleashing Hell', and a melodious intent stronger than anything heard so far. Sword are reprising a classic sound from forty years ago, pleasing every fifty year old metal head in the world - me included! With an upturn in energy and oomph, the band stretch their legs with the old school sounding 'Spread The Pain', planting both feet firmly on the monitor. 'Spread The Pain' maintaining the bands terrific traditional metal tirade. To say the album has been barnstorming up to this point may be one of the biggest understatements of the year! Sword delivering a metal traditionalists dream. And OMG, the band step into epic metal territory owned by the great Dio - rest in peace Ronnie - for 'Took My Chances'; a big and bold doom laden stomp of highly majestic heavy metal. The intensity is spot on, the level of menace just right, with the hairs on my arms standing to attention to salute a fucking good song. Sword bring their third album to a close with the fastest song on the album - 'Not Me, No Way' a thrilling roller coaster ride of maximum head bang ability. | ||||||
| Overall, a thundering traditional metal sounding collection of songs that are infectious and full of energy. | ||||||
| Review by Iron Mathew Collins | ||||||
| Reviewed for Metal Gods TV | ||||||
| Review is also featured at Metal-Roos | ||||||
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