THE SWORD · Apocryphon [Ltd.Digi] | DIGI

Ltd. first Edition Digipack + 5 bonustracks

Background information about 'Apocryphon [Ltd.Digi]'

When The Sword dropped "Apocryphon" in 2012, the Austin four-piece traded some of the fuzz-drenched sprawl of their earlier records for a leaner, sharper attack — and somehow came out sounding heavier than ever. The riffs still hit like a wall of vintage amps, but there's a new precision here, a sense that every riff, every tom fill and every twin-guitar harmony was placed with intent. "The Veil Of Isis" opens with a slow, ceremonial stomp before the band locks into a groove that could power a small city, and from there the record never really lets up.

What makes this one special is the songwriting. "Cloak Of Feathers" rides a swaggering mid-tempo riff straight into a chorus that lodges itself in your skull, while "Arcane Montane" and "The Hidden Masters" show off the band's knack for dynamics — quiet, ominous verses that explode into thunder. "Dying Earth" is the doomiest thing here, all crushing weight and dread, and the title track closes the proper album with a triumphant, galloping finish. This first-edition digipak sweetens the deal with five bonus tracks, including scorching live takes of "Arrows In The Dark" and "Barael's Blade" from Emo's, plus "Chronomancer II: Nemesis" and "Ebethron" captured at Stubb's. There's even a ZZ Top cover in "Cheap Sunglasses" to remind you these guys never lost their sense of fun. Sword-wielding fantasy metal done with real craft and zero irony.

For fans of: High On Fire, Red Fang, Mastodon, Baroness, Sleep

Track listing

1. The Veil Of Isis
2. Cloak Of Feathers
3. Arcane Montane
4. The Hidden Masters
5. Dying Earth
6. Execrator
7. Seven Sisters
8. Hawks & Serpents
9. Eyes Of The Stormwitch
10. Apocryphon
11. Arrows In The Dark (Live At Emo's)
12. Barael's Blade (Live At Emo's)
13. Chronomancer II: Nemesis (Live At Stubb's)
14. Ebethron (Live At Stubb's)
15. Cheap Sunglasses

Manufacturer: Napalm Records Handels GmbH, Hammerplatz 2, 8790 Eisenerz, Austria , Contact: napalmrecords.com