On October 20th 2022, frontman John D. Cronise announced the breakup of the Band via social media.
Originally signed to Kemado Records, the group released its debut album Age of Winters in 2006, the material for which had been largely written by Cronise (who also produced the album) prior to the band's formation. Gods of the Earth (which was also produced by the band's frontman) was released two years later, giving the group its first entry on the US Billboard 200 chart when it reached number 102.
In 2010 the band released Warp Riders, a concept album centered on an original science fiction narrative written primarily by Cronise, which marked the first time the group had enlisted an external producer in Matt Bayles. Original drummer Trivett Wingo left the group later in the year and was replaced briefly by Kevin Fender, before Vela joined in late 2011. After signing with Razor & Tie in early 2012, the group released its fourth album Apocryphon later in the year, which was promoted worldwide on the Apocryphon Tour. The band's fifth studio album High Country was released in August 2015, followed by their sixth Used Future in March 2018.
During its early career, The Sword was categorized primarily as a doom metal band, with the group's members citing bands including Black Sabbath and Sleep as influences. In recent years, the group's style has generally been classified as hard rock or stoner rock. The Sword has toured with a wide range of fellow rock and metal artists since its formation, including Metallica, Lamb of God and Clutch, and in recent years has also headlined its own tours. The band's debut Age of Winters failed to chart, but subsequent releases have all gained increasing commercial success in the US and the UK, with High Country also charting in other regions.
For the Canadian heavy metal rockers Sword consisting of Rick Hughes on lead vocals, Mike Plant on guitar, Mike Larock on bass and Dan Hughes on drums, see: Sword.
Winter
The Sword Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will see myself out
It's all blue skies
From the valley to the dell
With your magic around
You know it's gonna be a long time
Til I am back again
You know it's gonna be a long time
I'm good at small talk
How's the coffee
How's your health
Whatcha dreaming about
But it's a short walk
Between heaven and hell
I think I know that now
Light pours in
It fills my head with every sound
I hear without you around
You ever wonder
How it gets better in time
Will it get better in time
I started building my dream home
You're invited
I started building my dream home
You're invited
I started building my dream home
You're invited
The Sword's song Winter's Wolves is full of fury and a warning of impending doom. The lyrics are directed at an adversary, and they describe the cursed fate that will befall him and his kin. The verses are intense and portray a chaotic and violent image of revenge. The singer warns his enemy of the bloody battles that are about to be fought and the mountains that will rise against him. The forests will block his path and his axes will chip and shatter. The singer lets his adversary know that it is his wrath that will bring about his downfall.
The chorus is especially ominous, promising not just a curse but also a vindictive retribution. The singer paints a vivid and macabre picture of his enemy's head being mounted on bloody spears outside his palace gates as crows peck out his eyes. The cities of his enemy will be laid to waste. The singer then repeats the first verse, emphasizing the curse on his enemy and all his kin, and that bloody battles await at empire's end. The rivers are rushing to drown him, the earth will swallow his hosts, and the winter's wolves will surround him and rip the live from his throat.
Winter's Wolves is a song about revenge and its terrible consequences. The lyrics describe a world where violence begets violence, and where every action carries a curse. The singer underscores the importance of not underestimating the power of wrath and vengeance. Winter's Wolves is a cautionary tale of how one's own actions can lead to their downfall.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you see what you have wrought here?
Do you not realize the consequences of your actions?
Bloody battles will be fought here
There will be a fierce war in this place full of bloodshed.
May the mountains rise against you
Let the mountains become your enemy.
May the forests block your path
Let the forests obstruct your way and hinder your journey.
May your axes chip and shatter
Let your axes break and fail you.
And know it is my wrath
Realize and understand that this is my anger.
I would mount your head on bloody spears
I would display your decapitated head on sharp, bloodied spears.
Outside your palace gates
In front of your grand palace.
And watch as crows peck out your eyes
And witness the birds pecking out your eyes.
And your cities are laid to waste
And your once-thriving cities are destroyed and ruined.
A curse on you and all your kin
An utterance of an evil supernatural power on you and your entire family.
Await your doom at empire's end
Anticipate your demise at the end of your reign.
May the rivers rush to drown you
Let the rivers sweep and submerge you.
May the earth swallow your hosts
Let the ground devour and consume your army.
May the winter's wolves surround you
Let the chilling wolves encircle and attack you.
And rip the live from your throat
And tear the flesh from your throat, taking your life away.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Kinsey Matthews
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Theron Simpkins
I keep thinking this is my favorite riff off the album but man, theyre all so damn good.
OnlyGuitars
I agree
Pyroshock
My personal favorite off the album. Really gets the head banging.
Steve Stell
Love this song. Cold grim grooves galore. ❤
Wolfgang Trubshaw
Alas, 95% of other bands would have dragged this song on for another minute or longer. But this is what it needs to be. Well done!
James Richardson
I first burnt this album off of the computer in 2005 & all I can say is that it FUCKING KICKS ASS!!!
Matt Wilson
Love this band... Such a shame they've split 😢😢😢
Valar Morghulis
This song gets me in the mood to play Skyrim and read Game of Thrones at the exact same time.
alt Ramen
I had forgotten about this song for a long time until I started reading berserk last week. It made me remember how awesome this song is.
aharrral
How does this connect to berserk? I am curious cause it is my favorite series.