Rating: NNNN
Ain’t going to be easy for the Sword to shake the hipster metal tag, especially when their Kemado label is best known for shitty 80s electro-pop throwbacks. They’ve made a valiant effort to rid themselves of all qualifying prefixes on Gods Of The Earth by basically putting their heads down and rocking harder than they ever have before.
Of course, hilariously outlandish quasi-mystical song titles like Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyerians probably won’t help their cause, but the progressively regressive arrangements, more skilful riffing and their relentless, groove-conscious attack will go a long way toward endearing them to serious metalheads who’ll appreciate the Sword’s obvious Sabbath, Maiden and Budgie inspiration.