Artist: The Sword
Album: Warp Riders
Year: 2010
Stars: 4/5
Musically, the album has many positive factors. Most notably is the improved production. Thankfully, The Sword decided to work with a producer this time who does a much better job at mixing the vocals and drums than on previous releases. In addition, the bands musicianship seems to have improved. Drummer Trivett Wingo is much less focused on constant cymbal thrashing and more on creating groovy rhythms. The twin guitars are also utilized highly effectively. Songs like “Tres Brujas,” “
However, there is some bad in this album. Unfortunately, It has not lived up to the full potential I had hoped it would due in most part to a lack of originality. Some reviewers have said that the first and second halves don’t match up very well. I have to disagree with this, I believe that they DO match up well, but that neither has any tracks with the staying power of those on their first album. In the case of The Swords third album, experimentation has backfired slightly and caused the group to loose its focus on writing heavy music. Sure, hard rock can be heavy, but this album with such a great concept and so much potential just falls far from what it could have been. Most notably on songs such as “Tres Brujas,” “
In summation, Warp Riders has its stand out moments and a great sci-fi concept behind it, but the songs are not original or ground-breaking enough to have any long lasting effect on listeners.
Tracklist:
1. Acheron/Unearthing The Orb
2. Tres Brujas
3. Arrows in the Dark
4. The Chronomancer I: Hubris
5. Lawless Lands
6. Astraea's Dream
7. The Warp Riders
8. Night City
9. The Chronomancer II: Nemesis
10. (The Night The Sky Cried) Tears of Fire
Track Picks:
1. The Chronomancer II: Nemesis
2. Lawless Lands
3. The Warp Riders
For more info on teh Sci-Fi narrative behind the album, check out www.swordofdoom.com/
