Well alright, time for some outstanding Doom Metal delivered by an Austin based band named The Sword. To me, one of pioneers of this form of music is without a doubt Black Sabbath. Going back in time to the early days of BS...they were something real special that took me by surprise. Heavy loaded guitars with low / mid-tempo rhythm sections was a typical Doom Metal trademark. We've got Ozzy and his companions back then, followed by many others who walked their pathways through the next couple of decades. To name a few greats, i'd like to announce Trouble, Cathedral, Candlemass, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Doomsword, Sorcerer, Solitude Aeturnus and so on.

To make a long story short, The Sword belongs from now on somewhere in between this list too. Superb release, to me actually an excellent blend of early Black Sabbath / Trouble and NWOBHM gods Witchfinder General. Reminds older BS riffings with a vocalist like WG and you're pretty close to the sound of The Sword. Lately, i had a serious discussion regarding particular band's monotone way of playing. Well, such conversations has nothing to do with the music of The Sword, that's my opinion because they're far away from boring or monotone situations. They're just great, that's all!!!

Hey, look out for awesome works like: "Barael's Blade", "Winter's Wolves", "The Horned Goddess"...such a fantastic song, amazing! But my personal is calling: "Iron Swan" which drives me insane due to numerous tempo's the guys are serving. A genius mixture of 80s Thrash / Doom and Heavy Metal with neckbreaking rhythms. "Lament For The The Aurocks" is the longest track (8 minutes!) of the entire album, pure Doom Metal minded but don't bothers at all. Once again, the singer reminds me of Zeeb Parkes (Witchfinder General). Great song anyway!

Fans of instrumental tracks better watch out for a song entitled "March Of The Lor" which is so damn heavy, it'll cuts through flesh and bone til it bleeds! "Ebethron" shuts down the album in absolutely great shape, full of talent. I'm not a one hundred procent Doom Metal fanatic but bands like The Sword are so good, the only way out is to praise them with all of my heart!

Great album, higly recommended to every old school minded Doom Metal fan into extremely hard and heavy stuff, if not...stay the hell away please! Use your head and order fast at the band's website right HERE, you won't be disppointed at all.    MY POINTS: 92 / 100