Sunday nights are usually pretty boring. For most people, it's the end of the weekend and another week of work starts back up in a matter of hours. Frigid, soggy Sunday evenings in Columbus between Thanksgiving and Christmas are even worse, especially now that there are no more new episodes of "The Walking Dead" till February. However, last Sunday was anything but dull, thanks to The Sword. Currently on tour as support for Kyuss Lives!, The Sword made a side trip to Columbus to headline a concert at Outland Live.
Despite it being the end of the weekend, the venue was pretty crowded. It was very encouraging to see Columbus coming out to support a great band under such circumstances, and those that attended were treated to the best metal show in Columbus all year.
Shortly before 10 p.m., The Sword casually strolled on stage, plugged in and then calmly tore into "How Heavy This Axe," the driving, bludgeoning single from the band's sophomore album, 'Gods of the Earth.' The crowd's appreciation was obvious and instantaneous. Not to sound like a stereotype, but these guys rock. Their style of music -- a consummate blend of 1970s-era Black Sabbath, Rush, and early 1980s Metallica -- is even better suited for the stage than it is for your stereo. I never got to see the original lineup of Black Sabbath until 1999, but last night's concert was probably as close to a Sabbath concert circa 1971 that I'll ever get to experience, and I loved every minute of it.
The setlist focused, naturally, on their latest album, last year's masterpiece 'Warp Riders' (read my review here). Over half of that album was performed. Only two songs from their previous album, 'Gods of the Earth,' were represented, which was a bit of a surprise, but with a catalog as impressive as The Sword's, sacrifices must unfortunately be made. The biggest shock of the night, however, was when the band pulled out the thrashfest "Sea of Spears," a single from their 2007 split EP with Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft. I really wish that song was available on CD, instead of just 2500 vinyl copies! Someday, perhaps...
There wasn't much banter between songs -- indeed, only guitarist/vocalist J. D. Cronise had a microphone stand -- but the band squeezed fourteen songs into their 80-minute set. There were no solos either, which was a refreshing change of pace, to be honest. These guys did not need to prove their musical prowess by indulging in egocentric soloing. Lead guitarist Kyle Shutt, who bears a remarkable resemblance to a '2112'-era Alex Lifeson, alternated locking into incredibly tight grooves with the rest of the band and then shredding on top of the rock solid foundation laid down by Cronise, bassist Bryan Richie, and new drummer Santiago "Jimmy" Vela. Special mention must go to Vela, who had the difficult job of playing original drum god Trivett Wingo's percussion wizardry. I asked Cronise when I interviewed him last week (read the review here) if Vela was a permanent member of the band, and Cronise confirmed that he is. I'm looking forward to hearing what Vela can do in the studio on the next Sword album.
'Warp Riders' has brought The Sword a lot of mainstream success, reaching number 47 on the Billboard albums chart. Their days of playing tiny clubs are probably coming to an end, so if you missed them this time, the next time they're in town, they'll probably be in a bigger venue. Of course, just like Black Sabbath, they'll rock any size audience wherever they play.
The Sword's setlist:
1. How Heavy This Axe
2. Tres Brujas
3. Arrows In The Dark
4. Barael's Blade
5. The Chronomancer I: Hubris
6. Lawless Lands
7. Freya
8. Maiden, Mother & Crone
9. Sea of Spears
10. The Chronomancer II: Nemesis
11. Goddess
12. (The Night The Sky Cried) Tears Of Fire
13. Ebethron
14. Iron Swan
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