Release Date: March 23, 2018
Personnel: John D. Cronise-vocals/guitar, Kyle Shutt-guitar, Bryan Richie-bass/synths, and Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III-drums
Origin: Austin, TX
The Sword is another band that seems to be in the midst of experimenting and trying to forge a new identity from the band they were at their beginning. Starting with their prior album, High Country (and companion piece Low Country), The Sword is branching more and more into a southern rock band than the Black Sabbath influence band of their early years. High Country was a bit of a curveball and, while their are some really strong moments on there, it didn’t quite result in a fully satisfying album. It seems as though the new direction the band has taken is starting to further gel with Used Future. Hell, the music just fits frontman J.D.’s twangy vocal style. It took a few listens to fully embrace it, but in the end, this one has a ton of songs that have wormed their way into my subconscious. This is going to be one of those albums that when I hear it a few years from now I’m going to think, “Yeah, that was 2018.”
4.5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
4. The Sword-Used Future
5. Skeletonwitch-Devouring Radiant Light
6. The Atlas Moth-Coma Noir
7. Rivers of Nihil-Where Owls Know My Name
8. Sleep-The Sciences
9. Tomb Mold-Manor of Infinite Forms
10. Revocation-The Outer Ones
11. All Them Witches-ATW
12. Redemption-Long Night’s Journey Into Day
13. Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats-Wasteland
14. Panopticon-The Scars of Man Upon the Once Nameless Wilderness
15. Arkona-Khram
16. Agrimonia-Awaken
17. Between the Buried and Me-Automata I & II
18. Clutch-Book of Bad Decisions
19. Harakiri For the Sky-Arson
20. Behemoth-I Loved You At Your Darkest
DISPATCHES FROM THE VOID 