This is an older Patreon exclusive video guys fyi. Enjoy!

The Sword is crazy underrated. That whole album is full of chunky riffs. Iron Swan is my personal favorite.

This whole album is a massive riff machine from front to back

My favorite song by The Sword is “How Heavy This Axe.” The guitar harmonies on it are fantastic.

“Cloak of Feathers “ and “Maiden, Mother, Crone” are good listens. And as everyone else is saying Warp Riders album. 🤘

For me, the "going overboard" parts that you describe are what turns this from a good song to a great song, lots of headbanging! :)

I've seen this band four times live. They're great. Warp Riders is a kick ass album.

This band is pretty popular in the metal community, glad you guys finally got to it!

The most slept-on song in Guitar Hero 2. I don't know much about this band, but I definitely want More

I think they have more like 7 albums. The album Warp Riders is their peak. So many good songs on that one. The last two albums sound like a totally different band. You guys would love Tres Brujas off Warp Riders. So groovy.

Brian’s reaction was priceless. Them heavy riffing and the drums invokes a certain kind of feeling . It’s like funky like a hip hop beat but live not sampled. The Sword have been one of my favorites for years and I’m glad you finally shed light on them and gave them the respect they deserve!!

I saw the sword live opening for clutch a few weeks back. They are doing fine still kicking ass.

FINALLY after TWO years of requesting this band you FINALLY got around to the Sword! About damn time. I've seen this band twice and they brought it each time. Now let's go full on Stoner/ Doom marathon. Start with a little band that came out before Kyuss and Sleep...a band called Trouble.

You guys have to do Iron Swan by the sword! This whole album is perfect.

Lawless Lands is a song from them that has lots of dynamics, cool transitions, riffs. I think you guys would dig it.

This album is fantastic from start to finish, thanks for checking this song out lads!

That part with the repetitive riffs is the call to action for the crowd to mosh before the amazing outtro. Also, while the drums aren't in the forefront, drummers know that it is a blast to play along with. If you listen harder for it you can tell there is genuine variation in there

If you want to hear a more dynamic song by The Sword check out Cloak Of Feathers, also definitely do a stoner/doom marathon sometime soon! I pretty much predicted Ryan's reaction to this based on the fact that he likes groovy songs, and groove is like the main element of stoner/doom metal so it'll be your thing for sure. Especially bands like Elder which blend the groovy stoner riffs with progressive elements.

I've heard OF The Sword, but I've never actually heard THEM. This was cooler than I thought it would be. Now I know what I'm downloading tonight

Glad to hear The Sword on here! They actually released six albums: this is from the first album, which might explain why it's a bit simple, and the first three records are all very heavily in the "doom/stoner" mode, before they branched out and experimented with bringing in other elements with the latter three albums. They went on hiatus for several years and did some solo projects, but they're slated to get back together to support Primus's Rush tribute tour next year.

The greatness of C-Standard tuning! The opening minute and half of Lament of the Aurochs kills me every time. Never gets old.

The late night 2000’s was a great time to see stoner metal live in Texas. You could catch these guys in Austin or Houston almost any weekend. Venomous Maximus was also a great Texas stoner metal band from this era. “Give Up the Witch” is a banger.

Elder. Elder - PLEASE. Take those crunchy riffs you love, but blend it with more transitions and breaks and Elder is what you get. And yes, I apologize for copy and pasting from the Patreon chat but i NEED this so bad. You can't see me, but I'm scratching my neck itching for a reaction to them. Feening. Good song choices: Sanctuary, Blind, Spirit at Aphelion, Dead Roots Stirring.

I'm amazed you haven't done some Savatage by now. They've amazed alot of reactions. Hall Of The Mountain King being thier most known song. They have alot of great songs. Gutter Ballet, When The Crowds Are Gone, Summers Rain. Criss Oliva was a great guitarist. His brother Jon Oliva and Producer Paul O Niel later formed Trans Siberian Orchestra. They put on Christmas rock shows every year. Most of the members of Savatage are in Tran Siberian Orchestra. Show Savatage some love when you have a chance.

The first time I saw The Sword in concert, it was in 2006 on their first album 'Age of winters'... opening for In Flames & Lacuna Coil. Didn't think much when I heard their music, but when they got on stage? They were ripping 🤘🤘🔥🔥and pits started during their half-hour set. No one knew who they were... and that is the mark of a great live band. I knew that they were going far... Saw them on headline tours years later. The Sword was formed in Texas, and if u listen to their newer songs - 'Tears like diamonds'... 'The Dreamthieves'... 'Deadly nightshade'... u will be shocked how far The Sword have come musically and sonically... Their last record was 'Used future' (2018) and I think they might be coming back soon...

My favorite Sword album is "Gods of the Earth", which came right after this one. They still kept the power from their first album but added more variety, which I agree Freya is lacking. Some other Sword songs to check out: To Take the Black, The Black River, How Heavy this Axe, Lords.

I always dug this album. Stoked and surprised you're getting to them.

It's been so fun to watch you guys' journey over the last several years reviewing metal going from a bit of apprehension to now actually mouthing riffs out loud like Beavis and Butthead "DUUUUNN , DUNNN, DUN, DAANANAHH!" 😂😂 ..I think we can officially anoint you guy certified metalheads, now :)

17:10 I have played guitar since about 1994, and those little details are EVERYTHING. They are not always hard to play, but its an old notion I think BB King said it (I could be wrong, but it was one of the older blues greats) "Its not the note you play, but how you get there"

Been waiting for someone to finally pay these boys some RESPECT!! The Sword has always been under looked. Thanks!!

I really hope you do "how heavy this axe" by them. Such a good song. Sounds 70s like a heavier black Sabbath maybe

Apocryphon is the album that has the riffs....PLUS the atmosphere and variety. Plus the lead singer became a better singer on that album. And the production is less muddy.

Glad y'all got to the Sword. Kylesa is another lesser known metal band that I would suggest. Check out Shaping the Southern Sky by them.

Can't wait for the Sleep - Dopesmoker review. :D In all seriousness you should do something like The Sword's Night City or Lawless Lands also another less known stoner metal band is Truckfighters. Desert Cruiser or Manhattan Project by them

I love the song, Iron Swan!! An old work helper and I always ended the week with Iron Swan! It was our Swan song from work each week!

I love The Sword! So happy you did this one. If you revisit them I suggest Lawless Lands. Much cleaner mix and the bass, drums, and vocals aren’t as buried like the first album.

My vote is for Winter's Wolves as the next reaction vid for these guys!

This is such a great album. Do “Snakes for The Divine” by High on Fire!

Actually super glad you started with song because it's a great intro to their best sound, which is the heavy groove riffing. Currently they are on hiatus still if I'm not mistaken after their most recent album a couple years ago.

Thanks for the video. Hope you guys are having a good start to your summer.

Band = High On Fire Song = Snakes for the Divine Hope you enjoy it. I feel like people might qualify it as doom metal or stoner rock. Regardless, the album is amazing.

I've seen it plenty and I've suggested it before. The sword is an amazing band. They have more than 3 btw. Like 6.

Glad to see you guys doing The Sword, just saw them in Tulsa opening for Clutch. Great band

RIP The Sword! Saw you in '08 at OzzFest, and you melted my face off!

They are a rock solid band. Not many songs that will necessarily blow you away, but at the same time they have nothing that is horrible. Good catalogue! That entire Age of Winters album rocks hard.

Discovered this band playing a friend's Guitar Hero. I've kept up with them since then. They're one of the many "Sabbath worship" bands out there, but they definitely have the riffs to back it up. I think Age of Winters was their peak.

And yes to answer your question George they are still playing, making music and touring!!! I just saw an upload of one of their recent shows in March of this year, and they also were doing "Conquest of Quarantine - Lockdown Sessions" last year. I think they are also an opener for Primus for their tribute to Rush tour recently as well! I also found a live video from their time touring with Metallica, and Lars was actually playing drums on Freya and...I didn't hate it! Lmao Their channel is: SwordOfDoomMusic Their catalog is outstanding, for what few songs I've binged so far! I'm also gonna check out Elder, because people keep hyping them up as much as The Sword, so my birthday music marathon of Doom/Sludge/Stoner metal/rock is gonna continue on past dawn and probably throughout this whole weekend thanks to all these awesome suggestions! A beautiful and glorious rabbit hole to get sucked into and lost in!

Great band! They are out of Austin, Texas and I have seen them live 4 times. Always solid and they are very cool guys. Had beers with Kyle their guitarist once. They play shows around Austin all the time, or did been a couple dry years, but they are worth checking out if you can. I would say their first 4 albums really great, their space concept album is a lot of fun.

Also the best way to kick off a stoner/doom marathon is with this song: Electric Wizard - Funeralopolis

holy shit. this song rules hard.

This is my fav song off this album. The Sword started out local here in Austin. Love their sound. Nice to see them getting some love 🤘

Yayayay! I have been wanting yall to do this song and albatross by COC for yearsss! Today is a good day :) I always knew yall would dig the grooviness with these bands

I fell in love with song on guitar hero 2. Never heard of the band at the time. Made me seek them out and became a huge fan. The influences you described are right on but there is a big one you guys didn't mention, ZZ Top. The Sword are from Texas and are huge ZZ Top fans. The Sword are a riff machine and I can't wait for them to get back to their roots. By the way Lars was the one who wanted them to tour with Metallica back in 2008. Lars is a fan. I saw that tour, Nassau Coliseum, NY The Sword, Machine Head and Metallica.

Saw them play with Cody Jinks, Whiskey Meyers, and Corrosion of Conformity

I'm so glad you guys covered this band. This entire album is fire!

I just saw The Sword open a show for CLUTCH in Little Rock...they killed it!

I think you guys would really dig maiden, mother and crone or cloak of feathers. Both are super groovy.

I get that this channel mostly focuses on sorta the well known bands or the ones that get the most 'upvotes' but It's good to see you guys giving some of the lesser known bands a shot. If people use whether a band 'charts' or not as a barometer for what's good they're gonna miss out on so much awesome music cause there's so many amazing bands out there that never go mainstream.

yall reacted to one of my top 10 bands on my Birthday!! thank you!! glad you did this

I'm so glad you guys finally listened to The Sword! I've been listening to their album Warp Riders on repeat/loop for basically the last two years lol

Flotsam and Jetsam - No Place for Disgrace. In 1986 after Cliff Burton died Metallica replaced Cliff with the bassist and founder of Flotsam and Jetsam named Jason Newsted. The 1986 debut album "Doomsday for the deceiver" saw Flotsam storm into the thrash scene. Their follow up, released in 1988, "No Place for Disgrace" was a masterpiece. The title song of that album is my request. This band is the most underrated band in the history of thrash. Now with 14 albums under their belt they still release some of the heaviest metal to date. They should be considered for the "Big 8" FLOTZ Till Death!!

Yes!! Great band glad to see you are checking them out. Surprised you weren't a big fan George, but hopefully they can win you round. Warp Riders is their best album for my money.

One of my favorite bands all time !.....awesome seeing them here finally ....what a surprise !

that album is so good ! Used to bang the shit out of it during summer. Thanks for leading me back to it. Also was listening a lot of Blast Tyrant by Clutch during that time, such a great album also.

On first listen the "overboard" part sounds repetitive but upon further listens you will pick up the variation within the other instruments and effects used.

Apocryphon off the album of the same name is one of their best songs. That whole album is their best one and every track is a banger. Also they have a new drummer and you may be more into it. You guys should check that song out!

They are definitely still playing! Thank you for doing this review, I requested this back in the early LiV days. It would be great to see a reaction to something a little newer of theirs like "The Veil of Isis"!

I requested the sword so many times when you guys first started doing reactions. Glad to see you finally checked them out lol

I found this song on Guitar Hero and it was so much fun to play. Great choice! And if you want to try something else different, check out Kittie - In Winter

graveyard- the siren has to be on a stoner doom list for sure. its bluesy and has soul.

I'm so glad you guys got to this band! They are just awesome.

The sonic variation and dynamics George yearns for come in their brilliant, yet under-appreciated, later albums of High Country and Used Future. Masterful songcraft, not always heavy, but damn good.

The Sword is a band from Austin, TX. I saw them live several years ago. They're a good band but, I don't know if they're still together. Thanks for featuring them guys. I had no idea that you had reacted to them.

You need to start checking out Down. Start with their debut NOLA. Really think you'll dig it.

Live in ATX. They are Austin based. Seen them live. Strong following. They freaking rock! Love your reaction! Thx for giving them some love!

Thanks! Been asking for The Sword for a while.

You guys should try something from Warp Riders, maybe Tres Brujas, or something from Apocryphon. They got more dynamic as they went on.

I"d love to see you guys react to Thunderhoof by Conan. One of the heaviest, crushing songs ever. You'll probably hate it but I would still love that reaction haha

Hooooold up! How the hell did I sleep on you reacting to this band! I never saw that Patreon video in all my years of Patreonism!

New The Sword fan here. This song is BAD ASS! I want to hear more from these guys.

I've been waiting for this one! Also would love to see you check out a song by Cult Of Luna.

Highly suggest Veil of ISIS off of thr Album Apocryphon.

I have been BEGGING for The Sword for years! So glad y'all made it to them! I really think y'all should check out their song "The Black River" as well!

Holy shit this is one of the first metal bands I ever got into like a decade ago! Never would have expected a reaction to them :D How Heavy This Axe also a banger by these guys

Cult Of Luna - Nightwalkers

FINALLY!!!! The SWORD!!! Not the best song, but definitely most known song. The sword has 4/5 records.

Thanks for reacting to one of my favorite bands. They are so underrated and overlooked.

I love this bad so much, I love that you guys are covering them!🙌🏽

Heh, "three albums" and "are they still recording?" Sounds like you need a new source for your quick brush-ups! =)

Love this band, glad you guys finally reached them.

I have never heard the Sword before so I am reacting with you, but I love this reaction

It's amazing to see your guys verbiage for these sub-genres of metal coming out when describing the music. You guys could hold your own in discussing rock/metal to any seasoned metalhead.

I've been liking this song for many years many years

Yea, as soon as I saw the title I knew you'd like it. Great band, definitely love the artwork of that album.

Heck yeah! These guys have some amazing tracks. I saw them live one time while not knowing much about them, but they tore the roof off the place. Good stuff indeed!

I like this song. I will have to get it. It rocked nicely. I heard the Sabbath similarities, but I find it funny that the band says that they got their influence from Led Zeppelin.

I saw this band play one of the earliest shows open for Mastodon in Austin, where they were based out of. Talented group

Hells yeah! Just saw The Sword open for Clutch a couple months back. Badass show in a small indoor venue! 🤘😈🤘

Really cool seeing you do a reaction to this band. I love this album. A few other great newish underground type bands that you should check out are Wytch, Green Lung, The Watchers and High Desert Queen. Killer stuff

The Sword along with Corrosion of Conformity are criminally underrated!! Definitely delve more into both bands more when you can! 🤘🏻🤘🏻