It's unfortunate that they toned down their heaviness. They're still good today, but they're definitely more of a Western style rock band than a metal band these days.
Their sound has evolved as musicians. They are musicians. Classifying them as metal or western rock only takes away from their art. It's ok to have an opinion and like a band's early work better (most groups early stuff is WAY more inspired and just better in my not so humble opinion). I got to say this band is going in a great direction. The music sounds better to me, less raw, but better.
Havent listened to this band since I was like thirteen and I'm almost twenty seven now. Definitely still a good band, but I'm definitely more or a tech death kinda guy. I like the utmost of advanced instrumental technique.
Went on to sound even more sabbathish lol. Great fractals but the illustrated lyrics are stupid as hell in there; fuck you guys's Google or whatever, drummer sounds like the same short fella with brown hair and glasses who would hit the piss outta drums ca 2006
Intro late "Johnny Blade" Sabbath....digging the chorus man ringing in my head.....chopping a forest down with those riffs...then again trippy early eighties musiconica end with the heavy and hair raising chorus!!! Excellent!!!
Heck, Sabbath isn't writing new material like this, so hey, they're continuing the sonic adventure. Some sounds deserve continued exploration after bands have stopped revisiting them for whatever reason.
THE SWORD is the future of METAL ....along time ago in the history of rock there was a band called CAPTAIN BEYOND they were to far ahead of time Lets hope the world isn't to far behind this time. A band like THE SWORD only rises up 3 Times in life one such band was called Captain Beyond the other Led Zepplin you may have herd of them
I was lucky enough to see them live a few years ago in a small club in Hamburg. The Sword put on an AWESOME show! The stage was only about 1 foot high, and no barrier. I was right at the front :) They are probably the only Band I would reall like to see live again.
I listen to some classical from 200 years ago...big deal, seen them twice and they kick multiple asses, as do Clutch, Megadeth, Rush, AC/DC, Goatwhore, Soilent Green, and on and on. They are an excellent band, plain and simple.
