The Sword is an American heavy metal band that formed in Austin, Texas in 2003. Since its inception, the band has comprised vocalist, guitarist and songwriter John «J. D.» Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Trivett Wingo. Signed to New York-based label Kemado Records, The Sword has released two albums: Age of Winters in 2006 and Gods of the Earth in 2008.
After recording music on his own,[1] Cronise enlisted the help of Shutt, Richie and Wingo to form The Sword in 2003.[2][3][4] The band released an eponymous demo, The Sword, in 2004,[4] which was followed the next year by an extended play (EP), Freya.[4] After performing at the 2005 South by Southwest festival, the band was signed to New York City-based label Kemado Records.[2]
In February 2006, The Sword released its full-length debut, Age of Winters. In support of the album, the band toured with such acts as Early Man, Priestess, Lacuna Coil and Trivium in the United States; Nebula and Clutch in Europe; and Lamb of God in Japan.[5] In June they contributed a new song, «Under the Boughs» (later to appear on their second album), to the Kemado compilation Invaders,[6] and in November the song «Freya» from Age of Winters was covered and featured as a playable track on the video game Guitar Hero II.[7] «Freya» was later released as a single in September 2007.[8]
In November 2007 the metal outfit released a split extended play with Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft. The Sword’s contribution included a new track, «Sea of Spears», as well as a cover of Led Zeppelin’s «Immigrant Song».[3] Gods of the Earth was the band’s second album, released on April 1, 2008.[3] The album provided the band with their first chart success when it reached #102 on the Billboard 200 chart.[9] In support of the album the band is, as of October 2008, touring with such acts as Machine Head, Lamb of God, Down and Metallica on their Death Magnetic Tour.[5] On November 25 a two-disc box set containing Age of Winters and Gods of the Earth was released
The Sword is commonly classified as doom metal,[2][4][10] alternative metal[2] and stoner metal.[10] Allmusic describes the band as being «at the forefront of … the ‘heritage’ or ‘retro metal’ movement»,[11] comparing it to heavy metal veterans Black Sabbath and vocalist Cronise to Ozzy Osbourne.[11] Rolling Stone also likens the band to Sabbath,[12] as does AbsolutePunk.net in its review of Gods of the Earth, claiming that «It’s impossible not to compare [the album] to the works of Black Sabbath.»[13]
While every member of the band contributes to the musical compositions, Cronise is the primary writer of the band’s lyrics. While influenced by Norse mythology,[4] Cronise insists that his writing is not solely based on such a topic.[1] He instead cites literature as his main influence, naming such famous authors as George R. R. Martin, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft and Arthur C. Clarke
Band members
* J. D. Cronise – vocals, guitar
* Kyle Shutt – guitar
* Bryan Richie – bass
* Trivett Wingo – drums
Discography
Main article: The Sword discography
* Age of Winters (2006)
* Gods of the Earth (2008)
Источник: lastfm.ru
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