Written Review by Milwaukee Tom for The Metal Voice
Canadian Metal band Sword is back with a brand new album! Their first album in 34 years which is entitled “Sword III” and has a release date of November 25th, 2022 via Massacre Records.
The new album features the original lineup Rick Hughes – Vocals, Mike Plant – Guitar, Mike Larock - Bass and Dan Hughes – Drums.
The first thing I noticed about that album is the Sound Production. It sounds great. It’s crisp, crunchy and very clear and it’s not overproduced.
The album contains 7 Tracks - and a 1 minute 30 second “Intro” Piece. The remaining Tracks all time out between 3:50 and 5:35 minutes, and are mostly mid to up temp songs.
Each band member turns in an excellent performance. Rick Hughes sounds great, his voice comes through loud & clear, and his vocal performance is fantastic. Mike Plant’s guitar work in “III” really sounds good, and his lead solo’s are outstanding. The rhythm section with Mike Larock on bass and Dan Hughes on drums is tight, and right in lock step with each other. Well done guys!
There are places on this new album that are reminiscent of their great debut album “Metalized.” Sword “III” is right up there in terms of quality with that debut… and dare I say, it might be even better than “Metalized!” There is some great material on this album, with more up-tempo songs like “I am In Command,” “Not Me, No Way,” and mid paced Tracks like “Dirty Pig,” and “Spread the Pain.” They even have a song that mentions the band’s history in the 80's. Real cool stuff!
This is an excellent album to come back with and it’s enjoyable from start to finish. Sword came back to rock us… and I say mission accomplished! I highly recommend it!
8.5 out of 10 Rating.
Track Listing
1. Bad Blood
2. (I Am) In Kommand
3. Dirty Pig
4. Surfacing
5. Unleashing Hell
6. Spread The Pain
7. Took My Chances
8. Not Me, No Way
Sword will go on tour in Quebec, Canada in 2023 - get your ticket here » https://www.evenko.ca/en/search/Sword
Jan. 14, 2023 Montreal - Théâtre Corona - https://fb.me/e/2lemgL8mN
Jan. 15, 2023 Quebec - Impérial Bell - https://fb.me/e/2YRonbJYy
Jan. 20, 2023 Alma - Boîte à Bleuets - https://fb.me/e/1Vh1hvlQ2
Jan. 21, 2023 Trois-Rivières - Amphithéâtre Cogeco - https://fb.me/e/2kJ8qIQYZ
(Photo Crédit: Francis Forcier)
The Metal Voice recently interviewed Canadian band Sword at 'The House of Rock'
In the interview the band talks about the making of their new album SWORD III, recalls stories about touring with Motorhead in the 80's and how Metallica's Lars Ulrich became a fan of the band and brought them on their Master of Puppets tour.
Watch here
Singer Rick Hughes explains the Metallica connection, "Kerrang magazine editor was doing an interview with Lars Ulrich (around 1986) and he (editor) had his Walkman at the time (cassette). Just before he (editor) left the interview, Lars asked him what are you listening to, I'm curious to know what's in your Walkman? Oh it's a band from Montreal (Sword) and he gave him (Lars) the tape." Off camera Rick Hughes explained the story a bit more to The Metal Voice. " Lars took the tape and not too long after we got a call from Metallica's management to open for the band in Canada on the Master of Puppets tour in 1986. (tour was postponed 2 times) Lars told me this Kerrang story backstage, in his dressing room on the first night of the Sword / Metallica tour."
Canada's Sword consists of the classic line-up of lead vocalist Rick Hughes, drummer Dan Hughes, guitarist Mike Plant and bassist Mike Larock. They will be releasing their third studio album III via Massacre Records on November 25, 2022.
After years of silence, the guys from SWORD never thought that a box of demos and company rejects from the late 80’s would light a fire under their asses, hot enough to want to revisit this (new old stock) in order to actualize it with the vengeance it deserved.
Originally formed in 1980, the band has since released two well-received studio albums, and got the chance to open for bands such as Metallica, Alice Cooper, Motörhead in the past, among others.
Discography:
1986 Metalized
1988 Sweet Dreams
2006 The Best Of Sword (Compilation)
2016 Live Hammersmith
2022 III
I 've owned both recordings on vinyl for a very long time.
I really love SWEET DREAMS. I've never been able to find it on CD.