We have here, the latter of two releases by Texas doomsters, The Sword. Gods of the Earth was released way back in 2008 and has seen the band reach all sorts of new highs (pun intended). They've seen their music seep into the collective (un)consciousness of video gamers with songs featured in some supposed game called Guitar Hero. You may have heard of it. They have also toured extensively with a band who call themselves Metallica. But let us not hold any of this against them.
Some out there, and they are legion, condemn The Sword as "hipster" metal. Now, I'm not saying there aren't "hipster" trend fuck bands out there latching on to the whole retro metal movement. I'm just saying that The Sword are too good to be lumped with them. If classic Black Sabbath and early Metallica are two sounds you would like see blended together, than these guys are for you.
Gods of the Earth is a more tightly composed album than it's predecessor, although Age of Winters is pretty awesome too, but what is special about The Sword is their ability to take classic metal ingredients, mix them together, and have the result be familiar yet refreshing. Having a couple songs based on Conan stories ("The Frost Giant's Daughter" & "The Black River") never hurts either.
Let the head banging commence.
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