It may have been said a million times, but there is no way to avoid the instant comparison between The Sword singer J.D. Cronise ’s voice and the soaring vocals of Ozzy Osbourne.
While members of Austin, Texas outfit cite influences such as Deep Purple, Blue Cheer, and Iron Maiden, the comparison to Black Sabbath is simply impossible to avoid.
Apocryphon, which translates to ‘Secret Writings’, is the fourth album from the classic-metal heavyweights and with its melodic, chunky riffs and sci-fi, fantasy-inspired lyrics, it could easily be the long lost secret writings of the Sabbath.
Maybe that explains where Ozzy went for those 20 years he can’t recall…
As the first album released through their new record label Razor and Tie, and produced by J. Robbins, Apocryphon has a fullness and dynamism not heard in their previous three albums.
The sound can simply described as big and fat, with roomy drum sounds and a distinct classic-rock flavour; as guitarist Kyle Shutt explains, “I tried a lot of crazy stuff in those sessions too, like running two stereo amps through a tape delay and seeing how each amp reacted differently… we got some new sounds.”“Brian May is such a diverse guitar player, he can do anything, any style you can think of – he’s a master of it…”
It’s not the only thing that’s new, “we’ve got a new drummer, a new manager,” lists Shutt, in reference to the wonderfully named Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III replacing Trivett Wingo on the drumstool, and the appointment of veteran manager Larry Mazer (who also with metal band Lamb of God).
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While Cronise’s vocal influences may be fairly clear, the instrumental side of things has always sat somewhere between classic rock and heavy metal, with no one distinct influence, so from whence does Shutt draw his inspiration? “It’s hard but I always just end up going back to Queen.”
“Brian May is such a diverse guitar player, he can do anything, any style you can think of – he’s a master of it… and of course Pantera – Dimebag Darryl, being from Texas as well, he was always a big influence.” And it shows.
The guitar work in Apocryphon is as emotive and perfectly executed as anything Brian May ever did, and at times as brutal as anything Dimebag ever slayed.
While third album Warp Riders was an adventurous change of direction for the band, a concept album adapted from an original sci-fi narrative written by their lead singer, the latest LP is a turn back to their roots, pumping out solid stand-alone numbers track after track.
At first listen, a discerning fan may notice that one definitive aspect of their previous albums seems to be missing; the instrumental that takes you on the proverbial mission, cryogenically frozen to the far side of Jupiter’s 13th moon.
Far from an attempt to veer toward the mainstream however, Shutt explains ,“we actually had an instrumental track, but just at the last minute J.D. came up with some lyrics for it… I know we’ve always had at least two instrumentals on all of our records, but I guess J.D. just had something more to say.”
The Sword’s album artwork has always been a highlight of their output and presence. The experience of buying an album (especially on vinyl) is about more than just the music; it’s the whole artistic package, visual and aural, just like the good old days.
While the artwork for Warp Riders was masterfully put together by Adelaide’s Dan McPharlin (“He turned the artwork in to us, then he just dropped off the face of the earth… He never even got paid for it, so if you see him, tell him The Sword is looking for him…”); DC Comics’ J.H. Williams III was chosen to make his mark on the cover of Apocryphon.“It (the cover artwork) looks great and DC Comics is actually advertising it in all the issues of Batwoman.”
Having drawn art for popular comic series the likes of Batwoman and Promethea, Williams III was a perfect fit. “He was kind of a fan anyway and was really excited that we asked him to do it, and it really worked out,” says Shutt. “It looks great and DC Comics is actually advertising it in all the issues of Batwoman.”
It’s not the only smart piece of cross-promotion put to the band’s name.
Not only have The Sword toured the world with Metallica and had supports from bands like Machine Head and Lamb of God, but they’ve appeared in no less than three editions of popular videogame series, Guitar Hero.
“Well,” Shutt muses, “bands like us don’t really get much radio play, we don’t get anything on MTV, so that was just huge for us. It’s a great marketing tool… Plus being on a game with, you know, Slayer and Thin Lizzy – it’s pretty wild.”
When the band last appeared in Australia for Soundwave 2011, their Melbourne Sidewaves show with Saxon was cancelled last-minute due to illness.
“They pulled the plug and I was really disappointed,” says Shutt. “We really love going to Australia, it’s one of our favourite places to tour.”
Luckily the band will be bringing back their unique brand of classically influenced metal for Soundwave 2013, and have even paired with fellow Guitar Hero highlights DragonForce, for a series of special Sidewaves.
Is the guitarist excited for their upcoming tour commitments, but of course, “we Love Australia.”
Apocryphon is out now through Razor & Tie. The Sword tour with Soundwave 2013 around the country from Saturday 23rd February, playing times for or Sydney & Brisbane here, Melbourne & Adelaide here, with Perth to be announced. They also play Sidewaves shows in Melbourne and Sydney with DragonForce, dates and details below.
Dragonforce 2013 Sidewaves
with The Sword
MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY
MELBOURNE, BILLBOARD – 18+
www.oztix.com.au
THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY
SYDNEY, THE METRO – Licensed All Ages
www.ticketek.com.au
Soundwave 2013 Lineup
METALLICA/ LINKIN PARK/ BLINK 182/A PERFECT CIRCLE / THE OFFSPRING / PARAMORE / SLAYER / GARBAGE / CYPRESS HILL / BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE / TOMAHAWK / STONE SOUR / BRING ME THE HORIZON / KYUSS LIVES / ANTHRAX / KILLSWITCH ENGAGE / SUM 41 / DRAGONFORCE / ALL TIME LOW / FLOGGING MOLLY / GHOST / DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED / BILLY TALENT / MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK / MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE / THE AMITY AFFLICTION / THE VANDALS / SICK OF IT ALL / KINGDOM OF SORROW / FOZZY / THE LAWRENCE ARMS / SLEEPING WITH SIRENS / CANCER BATS / THE BLACKOUT / GALLOWS / MADBALL / FUCKED UP / VISION OF DISORDER / PIERCE THE VEIL / PERIPHERY / THE SWORD / SHAI HALUD / OF MICE & MEN / THIS IS HELL / MISS MAY I / DANKO JONES / LUCERO / WOE, IS ME / THE WONDER YEARS / POLAR BEAR CLUB / WHILE SHE SLEEPS / CEREBRAL BALLZY / THE EARLY NOVEMBER / SUCH GOLD / SIX FEET UNDER / THE DEAR HUNTER / CHELSEA GRIN / DEAF HAVANA / RED FANG / VERSUS THE WORLD / THE CHARIOT / CONFESSION / ORANGE GOBLIN / CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK! / SYLOSIS / MEMPHIS MAY FIRE / CROSSFAITH / NORTHLANE / SHARKS / O’BROTHER / MILESTONES / LIVING WITH LIONS
Soundwave Venues & Dates
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013
SATURDAY 23 BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS
SUNDAY 24 SYDNEY, OLYMPIC PARK
FRIDAY 1 MELBOURNE, FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE
SATURDAY 2 ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK
MONDAY 4 PERTH, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS
For more information head to www.soundwavefestival.com
