Swords

Alpha Omega

BY Keith CarmanPublished Jun 8, 2009

Finally getting around to releasing a full-length after years of EPs and singles, St. John's, Newfoundland's Swords have ensured the wait was entirely worthwhile. Initially seeming to fit amongst the gloom-laden, progressive world of Isis, Cult Of Luna and Buried Inside, as Alpha Omega's seven tracks unfold there is no way Swords could/should be lumped into such obvious territory. Featuring a deeper, more ravenous aggression offset by slightly less introspective writing and reduced technical bravado, the result is a far more guttural and instinctual affair, as opposed to the aforementioned bands' cerebral attacks. This is a compliment though, as Alpha Omega feels natural and instantly enticing for its apocalyptic doom with sludge, punk and rock'n'roll tendencies. While the band could occasionally exercise some restraint and cut to the chase by omitting unnecessary retread of established riffs — songs range between five-plus to 12 minutes — Alpha Omega is still some solid doom from the Rock.
(Independent)

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