Ranking the Albums: The Sword

Join Pete Pardo & Jamie Laszlo as they rank the albums of Texas stoner rock/doom/hard rock/psych act The Sword. #thesword
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[@richard127gm]

High Country is my favourite Sword album. They do wander into Wolf People territory, having a folk metal kinda sound. That just makes it all the better for me.

[@-GLADD-]

1. Apocryphon 2. Gods of the Earth 3. Warp Riders 4. Age of Winters 5. Used Future 6. High Country Great show guys, love the Pete + Jamie combo… very entertaining!

[@stevepoleri7604]

Need to check these guys out. And happy belated birthday Jamie.

[@robmlisanti]

Great job guys, great meeting you Jamie 😎👍 and Happy Birthday again

[@AdrnTwd]

In April 2007 I saw The Sword and Clutch play Sheffield, UK - what a great show that was.

[@RickNBacker]

I can't believe neither of you mentioned the overwhelming Thin Lizzy vibe on "Night City" from Warp Riders!

[@jkbaca41]

Right?! That's the first thing I noticed when I first heard it. That song is BADASS!

[@alanbailir9139]

Check out their version of Lizzy's Emerald.fantastic

[@normnorumi3780]

"Nobody cares, nobody cries."

[@theclassicrockjunkie7353]

Love the channel and love The Sword, when I first got into The Sword the first album I heard was the fantastic Warp Riders what an excellent listen !

[@stavs387]

Love this band especially the early stuff, so good.

[@luciusblackwood2640]

Really interesting. I think I've a heard a couple of their songs on XM but I don't remember them. You've intrigued me enough to pick up something.

[@jeffreyrobinson9120]

Great job on the Sword ranking, some good insightful thoughts. Most talented and creative bands will tend to evolve and move forward as The Sword has done. I love their earlier heavy as bricks sound as on "Age of Winters", but I have no problem with, and really like "High Country" as well. As you said, it will be interesting to see what comes next. I`m all in.

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Thanks, Jamie and Pete, for this album ranking show. Not familiar with the band but have to start with Jamie's top pick. Thanks again.

[@jimhawkes]

I remember liking the debut, but never followed up on subsequent albums. Will have to check them out.

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

Correction on my part: Lee Horsley was in The Sword and the Sorcerer...not Deathstalker. "The Sword" is right in the title and I still couldn't remember!

[@garyjoyce2160]

Happy/ HEALTHY 5️⃣3️⃣. JAMIE/ the absolute master of PROPS” 👍💯

[@donbrown9215]

Happy birthday Jamie

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

Thanks, guys

[@garyjoyce2160]

@@Jamie.Laszlo /. Hi. Jamie. Just curious/. I saw their was a shooting/ death / murder at the Marriot / near the CHANCE/ you hear that this AM??

[@thedarkwizardroom]

A Happy Birthday Jamie 🎂 And to good HEALTH my fellow Buckeye.

[@thedarkwizardroom]

Pete and Jamie yes! The Sword I love their sound and albums. I do have Age Of Winter and Gods Of The Earth cds a they were packaged together in a set Box on sale at record store for $4.99 so couldn't resist liked what I saw and loved both albums immediately playing on my cd player stereo system surround, I also found at some thrift store shirt that has THE SWORD logo on front and a gut strapped up like looking WWE former wrestler Mankind(aka as Mick Foley) , Got it years ago and wear around every so often. Thanks guys, Welcome back from the Fall Fest, Good sounding fun that I wish I could have been there, Time to recover guys B well TC

[@thomaswery3087]

Going to check this band out.The last time a band really knocked me out from being so heavy was Uriah Heep's Look At Yourself and their Self Titled album.But you guys haven't steered me wrong yet so a big thank you

[@franciskocher200]

Top video...I don't know this band.I will check out.😃👍

[@neugey]

Used to work with someone who had the Sword as one of their absolute favorite bands. The music of The Sword is kind of hit or miss for me, but you cannot deny the talent.

[@Troy.Ritter]

The Sword is one of my favorite bands. I’m a lot younger than you guys, I’m 27; when I first heard this band I was 12. Warp Riders is hands down my favorite album. I also bought that CD from Best Buy in 2010, Jamie! My ranking of their discography: 6: High Country 5: Used Future 4: Age of Winters 3: Gods of the Earth 2: Apocryphon 1: Warp Riders

[@dtltmtgt]

Lol Jamie, your "moment" at minute 30 is so funny! 🤘 Great ranking guys. I love this band too. The first 4 albums could flip for me tomorrow: 1. Warp Riders 2. Age of Winters 3. Apocryphon 4. Gods of the Earth 5. Used Future 6. High Country

[@davidvangelista7109]

The Sword is very good band my favorite albums are the first two albums. So sad to hear that The Sword broke up in October of last year.

[@captainbeyond7469]

Really enjoying Jamie on these ranking shows. You really see the improvement in his insights since he first started on the channel. Well done sir! You get the Captain approved hype sticker. Cheers 😊

[@peterm.fitzpatrick7735]

Hope you have a great Birthday, Jamie!

[@jdfreedom9525]

1rst album is perfect gym music Played it on loop when I opened my studio back in 2009.

[@waverlyking6045]

One of my favorite music videos ever is “Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians”. I wish someone would have turned that concept into a full length movie.

[@davidclark2208]

Hi Pete I hope all went well for SOT Fest and that everything and everyone had a great day

[@reducecotwo]

It would have been cool to catch a glimpse of the acoustic trio in action, Eric, Luis and Rick.

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

@@reducecotwo There's some footage on my Let's Get Physical page

[@3bwana]

I still really like ‘Age of Winters’ a lot ‘Winter’s Wolves’ is an all time doom metal track for me, after that first Lp their records became very spotty though ‘Gods of the Earth’ and ‘Warp Riders’ both had some good songs as well. The Sword were actually the very first live band I ever saw when I first moved to NYC in March 2005. Saw them completely not knowing who they were at all watched them set up their gear with no stage in the corner of an upstairs bar called Bar 13 at the corner of 13th and University just south of Union Square. They played right before a new wave band called the Glass that a friend of of a new friend sang for. There were maybe 20 people in the room. A couple nites later they played in the basement of Lit Lounge on 2nd Ave. in the east village for a crowd of about 30…these two dates were their NYC dates for the release of ‘Age Of Winters’

[@clydehoops6069]

Happy birthday

[@Almeida5]

My order was the same exact as Pete's 06. High Country 05. Used Future 04. Apocryphon 03. Warp Riders 02 Age of Winters 01. Gods of the Earth

[@AlexVan1985]

I was all in when the first album and they lost me when High Country came out. Still love the first 4 albums but I'm currently off the Sword train. Hoping for a heavy return. Only saw them live once on the Apocryphon tour and they BORED me to tears. Zero interaction with the crowd and they just looked miserable on stage, was very disappointing. Warp Riders is my #1

[@stilllife7726]

Funny Jamie mentions Wolftooth, I just got into them recently, and the first thing I said was “man these guys sound just like The Sword”, lol. Not a huge fan of the last two albums but I love the first four. Hoping they turn back the clock if they decide to do another album. 6. High Country 5. Used Future 4. Gods of the Earth 3. Apocryphon 2. Age of Winters 1. Warp Riders

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

My five favorite albums from "The Sword". My fifth favorite to my number one favorite. 5. Used Future.. 4. Age of Winters.. 3. Apocryphon.. 2. Warp Riders.. 1. Gods Of The Earth.

[@Mike-aka747]

I prefer the earlier stuff they were carrying the torch left by Witchfinder General.

[@daanthing6002]

I only have the first four albums. Like Warp Riders the best and always thought Gods of the earth is a boring album. Even sold my vinyl copy of it. After becoming a metal guy in the early 90's with Pantera, Megadeth, Prong and others i lost sight of new metal bands. I was buying more 70's stuff and other genres. It were bands like Mastodon, Baroness, High on Fire and The Sword that made me interested in the new bands. New album tip for Pete and Jamie: Robot God - Worlds Collide

[@eriklauritzen6898]

Came in to watch this after I heard JD said they had split. So much for a hiatus.

[@fabbrunette]

I love the Sword! Age of Winters is my #1

[@sabinoabdala5685]

The SWorD what a band!! A Marvel

[@mindful2864]

When it comes to modern metal bands and especially those of the stoner/doom metal variety, the Sword are one of the best and most consistent. Here would be my ranking: 6. Used Future 5. High Country 4. Warp Riders 3. Apocryphon 2. Age of Winters 1. Gods of the Earth

[@3bwana]

What I still think is crazy is how much attention a good band like ‘The Sword’ gets yet a band a band of contemporaries that were just as good if not superior for various reasons still gets little to no attention. The band that I’m referring to was Montreal’s finest forgotten melodic heavy rock quartet and one of the greatest classic rock revivalist bands of the last 20 years ‘PRIESTESS’ who existed as a band for ten years from 2002-2012 before calling it quits mostly due to difficulties within the band surrounding apprehension of the quality of the material being worked on for a third record…. They made two incredibly scorching Lps, 2005’s ‘Hello Master’ released on RCA internationally, and 2009’s ‘Prior To The Fire’ on Indica Records in Canada, they existed as a band, (and one of the hottest live ever, on tours with Motörhead, Megadeth, Mastodon, High on Fire, The Sword, Gwar, Bison and Black Label Society) I actually saw them play on more than one occasion with ‘The Sword’ 10-15 years back and they too had their single ‘Lay Down’ off their debut Lp featured as a fully playable song as part of Guitar Hero 3 as well as featuring in the soundtracks on EA’s NHL 7 and in the game ‘Need For Speed’ The reason I feel that they were a better band than The Sword they played a tighter and more intricate, somewhat more melodic version of the same retro hard rock style in the stoner rock vein of the past twenty years but were only able to complete two truly great full Lps before they could potentially devolve over 4-5 additional Lps of just so so material in the way that The Sword eventually kind of did. Also on a note related to the discussion in this video, I truly feel IMHO that Q.O.T.S.A.’s collab on ZZ Top’s ‘Precious and Grace’ with the Reverend Billy G. sitting in on co-lead vocals and guitars with Josh Homme is a far superior cover of a ZZ Top tune than the aforementioned version of ‘Cheap Sunglasses’ by The Sword

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

I still bust that first Priestess album out from time to time.

[@3bwana]

@@Jamie.Laszlo Right on! It’s nearly a lost classic by now, however I feel the sophomore Lp is as good if not better in a different way, it’s a bit heavier and a tad more progressive than the debut even…

[@joedolenza7944]

Happy Birthday Jamie! I'm 53 January 6.

[@itsglen9646]

First two are very good. Warp Riders is fantastic. Apocryphon was their plateau. They lost me with High Country. Never bothered with Low Country. First saw them in 2008. They laid an egg when I saw them supporting Blue Oyster Cult. Most recently was April 2022. They found the thunder again! The Black Sabbath comparisons always seem lazy to me. Influenced, yes, "just like" no way. J.D. is never going to be vocalist of the year, but he gets it done for most of their songs. Winter's Wolves was my intro to this band, and holy shit, I was hooked! Goes down great live. Thanks for reviewing a relatively new band. First I've seen the Sword's catalog reviewed. 1. Warp Riders 2. Apocryphon 3. Gods of the Earth 4. Age of Winters 5. Used Future 6. High Country And I love Kadavar.

[@Powerslave214]

I've been a Sword fan since their first album. I'd agree with Pete's rankings except I would put Age of Winters in my first place slot. That is one of my favorite debut albums of all time. I also can't think of anything quite as disappointing (with the possible exception of the movie Prometheus) as when they released High Country. To me this was not the Sword, it was the butter knife.

[@derekbrine]

Been listening to these guys since the first album. If I had to rank the albums: 6. High Country 5. Used Future 4. Apocryphon 3. Age of Winters 2. Gods of the Earth 1. Warp Riders

[@jordanmoran1983]

Great band. Still gutted I missed them touring warp riders because the original drummer left and they cancelled the tour 😭

[@hicksdan]

I seem to be the minority that likes High Country. It’s what got me into the band because really wasn’t into their heavier music. Will have to give another listen.

[@toneman8478]

They definitely have a Sabbath and Down influence with some COC

[@daanthing6002]

Orchid really sounds like Black Sabbath. But in a more uptempo hardrock style. They were more Sabbath than Sabbath on 13. Waiting on there 3rd album. It's been a while.

[@soopahsoopah]

Aaaand they're gone. Good band. Luckily we still have Elder and Weekpecker to carry the torch.

[@bryanmcfadden4071]

Don't forget to check out Conquests of Kingdoms boxset, check out Kyle Schutt version of covering the whole darkside of the moon album. Apocryphon Warp riders Gods of the earth Winter Conquest of kingdoms Used future High Low

[@bryanmcfadden4071]

Basically the story goes as a barbarian/Hunter/gatherer goes on a quest for the first two albums of caveman Battle doom and on the third album Warp riders , our hero gets abducted by aliens and travel's through time and space for his next adventure when he lands upon a tribal people being the ending of the chapter from Apocryphon

[@zlatanfilipovic8798]

Jamie got the number of the views right (1 day after).

[@lening9]

1) Gods of the Earth 2) Warp Riders 3) Age of Winters 4) Apocryphon 5) Used Future 6) High Country

[@ronaldsmith1484]

...... My son is turning 17 my daughter is turning 18...... Ask them I guarantee they know who Phil Collins is...... Especially my 18-year-old daughter...... I am 61 had a grill out a few years ago with some friends...... Listening to a classic rock radio station my daughter was calling out the names of the bands and songs before my 50 60 year old friends could

[@HeavyMetalfan21]

1.Warp Riders 2.Age Of Winters 3.Gods Of The Earth 4.Apocryphon 5.High Country 6.Used Future

[@vinnynatale3733]

I just watched this yesterday and today the sword announced that they are breaking up 😭😭

[@paulmcgeehan8724]

They just lost me at High Country and I never bothered with the last one, loved the first 4 albums and it would be great if they went back to that style again!

[@brandonbelt5055]

I only had the first album, but I found it way too derivative of Matt Pike's projects (Sleep/High on Fire). They actually caught a lot of shit for this back when it came out, but I guess they've diversified their sound since then? Every time I hear something new from them, it's like "meh".

[@IronCrossKwa]

My ranking goes: 1 Warp Riders (here due being their original concept album and i'm a huge sci-fi fan) 2 Gods of the earth (Sealed the deal for me) 3 Age of Winters (Lament for the aurochs is my favorite song from them, along iron swan and march of the lor) 4 Apocryphon (Even though it's the only vinyl i've ever aquired in my life, i don't think it's better than the previous albuns) I don't think The Sword released anything else. Are you suro those country albuns aren't just a prank from Kyle (from tenacious D, perhaps)?

[@Garvs23]

Funny...I kind of lost touch with The Sword at Warp Riders. For no reason other than I listen to and buy WAYYY too much music. Because of this video I just remembered that I bought Apocryphon when it came out and never listened to it LOL...thanks dudes!! Gonna go dust it off and jump in the truck for a drive with the dog right now...

[@ianorourke6320]

I did dig them earlier on. They have been consistent but still not evolved enough

[@ArcangelofRock]

Really relate to Jamie's "grandpa" story.... being 52 😄. The Sword's catalog(to me); is a bullseye or disappointment. Heard them all, but only own 3. #1.Age of Winters, #2.Apocryphon, #3.Used Future.

[@Jermeister12]

Pete ole buddy 😀😀Cry me a river 🥲my b-day is X-Mass Eve.

[@sotdude7]

So you know!

[@Jermeister12]

@@sotdude7 Yes,Yes I do & so will my great nephew Hayden who will be 1year old on 12/26😀

[@Troy.Ritter]

Looks like these will be the last 6 albums the band will release because they announced that they are breaking up. That sucks!!

[@thebrood138]

yikes. killing low/high country right away. My faves.

[@ianorourke6320]

They never differentiated from better early bands like Sasquatch and Fireball Ministry

[@markblue5375]

There's a better band ! SWORD from 🇨🇦 they just released a new album with still the original line-up Featuring the incredible guitar playing of Mike Plant !

[@jimmycampbell78]

That’s the band I know, they were around in the 1980s. Not familiar with these guys

[@sylvainmclean1307]

The new album will be released novembre 25 their first single is out "i am on command" and yes they are great

[@BlackMoore82]

Seen The Sword four times, last time was in 2015. They put on a good show. As for ranking their albums, here I go... Warp Riders. Age of Winters. Apocryphon. Gods of the Earth. High Country. Low Country. Used Future.

[@3bwana]

Saw ‘Doom Side of the Moon’ at Warsaw in Brooklyn, it was pretty awful

[@RickNBacker]

The first four albums are outstanding. I checked out with High Country, big disappointment. I don't know what they've done since then.

[@cezarmaatubang8236]

And now they are gone

[@bonehead797]

I'm sorry but High Country and everything after it totally blows chunks, it sucks to the extreme. When I go to The Sword, I want them to melt my face away, not this crap they recorded. I compare it to Metallica going rock for Load/Re-Load (aka Crap and Re-Crap). I respect the guys for wanting to change their sound, but I'm jumping ship. If I'm in the mood to listen to that kind of rock, I'll listen to Shinedown, they do it way better. Their first 4 albums are FANTASTIC!!!!

[@atlasking6110]

Watching a heavy stoner-rock concert while...in a pool? That sounds, well, terrible.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

I have only heard the first album from The Sword, which I found to be incredibly bland and derivative. The vocals and the lyrics are just awful.