Texas metal titans the Sword have been uncharacteristically quiet since the release of their 2010 concept album Warp Riders. Now, however, they've announced plans for their fourth full-length.
The new long-player is called Apocryphon and was recorded with producer J. Robbins (of Jawbox/Burning Airlines).
As for the sound of the LP, guitarist Kyle Shutt says we shouldn't expect anything too out of the ordinary.
"This record is just 10 banging hard rockers," he said in a statement. "There's no real 'stick-out' thrash song, or, like, this one is the ballad. I don't think there's going to be any instrumental songs on this record, either, so that'll be a first for us. It's just 10 kick-ass rock songs."
Lyrically, Shutt adds that we shouldn't expect another concept album either, saying, "There are lyrical themes that weave in and out of the songs, but there's no story or anything like that... We had the idea to make a comic book for Warp Riders, but we had some really poor management at the time, so nothing really came together with that and it was going to cost so much money that it never saw the light of day. It was just a nice thing we did. Now we're moving on to other things."
In addition to the new album, those "other things" include an appearance on Anthony Bourdain's beloved No Reservations, where the Sword will debut their very own "Tears of Fire" hot sauce. A short clip of the episode, which airs on September 4, can be seen below. That same day, the band's hot sauce will be available to purchase here.
Apocryphon, on the other hand, will be released on October 22 via Razor & Tie.
The new long-player is called Apocryphon and was recorded with producer J. Robbins (of Jawbox/Burning Airlines).
As for the sound of the LP, guitarist Kyle Shutt says we shouldn't expect anything too out of the ordinary.
"This record is just 10 banging hard rockers," he said in a statement. "There's no real 'stick-out' thrash song, or, like, this one is the ballad. I don't think there's going to be any instrumental songs on this record, either, so that'll be a first for us. It's just 10 kick-ass rock songs."
Lyrically, Shutt adds that we shouldn't expect another concept album either, saying, "There are lyrical themes that weave in and out of the songs, but there's no story or anything like that... We had the idea to make a comic book for Warp Riders, but we had some really poor management at the time, so nothing really came together with that and it was going to cost so much money that it never saw the light of day. It was just a nice thing we did. Now we're moving on to other things."
In addition to the new album, those "other things" include an appearance on Anthony Bourdain's beloved No Reservations, where the Sword will debut their very own "Tears of Fire" hot sauce. A short clip of the episode, which airs on September 4, can be seen below. That same day, the band's hot sauce will be available to purchase here.
Apocryphon, on the other hand, will be released on October 22 via Razor & Tie.
