After 3 decades SWORD are back in full force with third album just released yesterday, titled “III” – which seemingly picks up where the band left off 30 years ago.
Impressed by their classic metal sound, many of you asked for the band’s previous material and there isn’t a better way to introduce to you this Canadian act than this ”The Best Of Sword +3”, including the best songs from their 1986’s ‘Metalized’ LP and 1988’s ‘Sweet Dreams’, all remastered, plus 3 previously unreleased songs exclusive to this release.
SWORD swung hard with their 1986 debut, ‘Metalized’. The album generated a decent amount of attention and even landed them opening slots for Motorhead, Alice Cooper and Metallica. Their 1989 follow up, ‘Sweet Dreams’, was another energized plate of trad metal this time mixed with hard rock.
SWORD is placed in a long line of criminally overlooked hard n’ heavy groups. For those that missed out during band’s late ’80s ripping assault, ”The Best Of Sword” is the best place to start.
Featuring one dozen cuts, the lethal pairing of the hammering hard rockin’ “Stoned Again” and the wide-open “F.T.W.” lead the riveting charge, with title track from the group’s sophomore LP, ”Sweet Dreams”, closing out the compilation disc.
Aside from some obligatory ’80s metal cliches, SWORD’s songwriting is pretty original, every song sounding different to each other and the band explored many facets of the metal genre. Take as example “Children of Heaven” which has a more classic vibe and structure, the heaviness of the sound and the catchiness of the lyrics still makes it a great number. Then “Outta Control” is indeed out of control with speed riff and crazy breaks, while “Evil Spell” has a cool introduction before singer Rick Hughes screams out his lungs.
It’s a shame SWORD isn’t more well known by classic metal / hard rock fans. They were and still are a very good band, displaying a solid, interesting songwriting.
Tracklist:
01. Stoned Again (03:34)
02. F.T.W. (Follow the Wheel) (03:46)
03. Until Death Do Us Part (03:37)
04. Outta Control (03:05)
05. Runaway (02:44)
06. Land of the Brave (05:28)
07. Children of Heaven (02:38)
08. Prepare to Die (02:57)
09. State of Shock (03:44)
10. Evil Spell (04:21)
11. The Threat (04:08)
12. Sweet Dreams (05:08)
13. Get It While You Can (Bonus Track) (03:50)
14. Leather Lust (Bonus Track) (02:42)
15. If You Want It (Bonus Track) (03:43)
– Tracks 1-2, 4-5, 7 & 10 taken from the 1986 Metalized LP
– Tracks 3, 6, 8-9 & 11-12 taken from the 1988 Sweet Dreams LP
– Tracks 13-15 are previously unreleased songs