Show Review

Entering through the doors of the Music Hall of Williamsburg last night was like climbing through a portal and tumbling straight into the freewheeling Seventies – though disco would not be on the menu. In fact, far, far from it. The best way to describe Austin, Texas' The Sword would be: heavy as fuck. These four young guns have got their finger on the pulse of Seventies' metal, having seemingly swooped out of nowhere to keep the decade nostalgia coming, and the heaviness flowing like a gravity on Jupiter. And despite being dubbed by some haters as “hipster metal,” looking around the sold out venue, I could see metal heads of all ages, shapes and sizes: including a number of massive tattoo-covered 50-somethings of the old school burly biker variety – a surefire sign that The Sword's talent is as strong as the hype that's been spreading.

We arrived early enough to check out the latter half Torche's performace – and though these guys are from Miami and Atlanta, they might as well be from some sinister Nordic underworld, what with the mind numbing sludge and momentous chugging they put forth during their set of epic metal.

After a lengthy wait, at last The Sword's massive banner unraveled, revealing their namesake printed in psychedelic script. Clad in metal tees, snug bell bottoms and long locks of hair (except for drummer Trivett Wingo, who sought comfort in a pair of short shorts) the boys took the stage for a set list mixing favorite tracks from their 2006 Age of Winters debut and their latest epic metal voyage, Gods of The Earth, out now on Kemado. The vicious head-banging that ensued meant for little face time (literally!) – but they played with an intense energy that kept the crowd raging along in a violent mosh pit.

It's no secret that The Sword love them some Zeppelin and Black Sabbath – but fortunately instead of ripping off those seminal bands of the '70s, these guitar-slingers channel the spirit, but spew forth fine-tuned riffs of their own creation. Though front man J.D. Cronise's vocals often get lost among the massive riffage, he managed to keep on-the-dot twin lead guitar harmonies with Kyle Shutt, while Wingo hammered his kit like some sort of robot-human hybrid. Though the band's new album is solid, The Sword are definitely a band whose jams translate much better in live form. After the live show, listening to their album is flat in comparison – but the way I see it, that's better than the other way around.

The end of the night left my ears ringing with satisfaction. The Sword may be young and trapped in a time-warp, but these kids are talented at what they do – and that's playing sick-ass stoner metal that multiple generations can head-bang to in unison.

review by Carolyn Brennan