For their third release Warp Riders, Texas' own doom/stoner combo The Sword take on plenty of sci-fi themes and have come up with another bruising collection of metal hell-raisers that is sure to raise their stock in the genre. Along with Sweden's Grand Magus, The Sword have swallowed all their Black Sabbath influences and mixed them with a classic yet modern twist for metal music that is highly addicting.
Warp Riders is comprised of 10 tracks, yet broken down into two sections, Part I: The Archer & the Orb, and Part II: The Android & the Sword. Lyrically, this one is a science fiction lovers wet dream, and the booklet includes the entire story for you to follow along with, but it's the killer riffs & grooves that is going to be the main ingredients to hook you in. Filled to the gills with catchy Sabbath/Lizzy/Mountain styled guitar riffs, throbbing bass, and pounding drums, Warp Riders locks you in and never lets go from the opening instrumental "Acheron/Unearthing the Orb" all the way to the pulverizing climax of "(The Night the Sky Cried) Tears of Fire". The vocals of John Cronise are like the perfect mix of Ozzy & Phil Lynott, and just ooze in between all the juicy riffs, crushing rhythms, and tasty lead guitar solos.
Honestly, there's never a dull moment, and from the cover art to all the riffs and grooves, this one just screams retro all the way, and in a really good way. If you are in the mood for some thunderous, 70's styled heavy rock, you simply MUST check out Warp Riders, one of 2010's highlights.
Track Listing
1. Acheron/Unearthing The Orb 3:43
2. Tres Brujas 4:09
3. Arrows In The Dark 4:30
4. The Chronomancer I: Hubris 7:35
5. Lawless Lands 5:09
6. Astraea's Dream 3:23
7. The Warp Riders 3:57
8. Night City 3:50
9. The Chronomancer II: Nemesis 5:49
10. (The Night The Sky Cried) Tears Of Fire 6:11
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