So many men have fallen So many more must die Cut down like wheat beneath a scythe And through our limbs may be weary Of ripping, slashing, cleaving blows We face an endless host of foes How heavy this axe Burden carried from birth Wrought in Stygian visions By the gods of the earth Upon the hallowed mountain The gods convene To mourn the death of our ancient queen Keepers of sacred fire Awaken from your sleep Drink from the cup of memory
I saw them play this live yesterday! I shouted out "How heavy this axe" and they played it. It might've been a coincidence, but it was nonetheless awesome.
you're so lucky cause when I saw them and shouted it, they DIDN'T play it lol. I was kinda sad but it was the High Country tour. but I mean hey they opened with Tres Brujas so I thought what the hell.
@@johanbrodin8629 Admittedly pretty muddled and feeble praise on my part but I was almost certainly drunk when I commented. My intent was simply to laud their awesome blend of vintage styles. But thanks for the clarification.
Riffs from 1972 Cymbals overload from 1968 3/4 sleeve T-shirt from 1977 Animated prehistoric background from 1965 Animated psychadelic background from 1968 Vocals from 1983 Tribal tattoos from 1993 Mutton chops from 1974 Overweight drummer in striped polo shirt from ???The future???
I’m seeing these guys open for Clutch tomorrow and this is the first time I am listening to them as I had never heard of them until now. I can’t fucking wait.
Actually heard them playing as a background song on American Dad for years and had no clue. Started listening to them and wad blown away at EVERY ALBUM AND EVERY SONG!!! Just a completely overlooked band.
I just heard this in the burger shop I go to once in a while. Heavy riffage! As an old guy, this warms my heart. Every time I see some kids actually playing metal, or anything that requires a musical instrument for that matter, it makes me happy. It's four less jagoffs standing behind a mixing board and some fake turntables pumping a fist and holding half an earphone.
I own most of The Sword on CD and listen to tons of metal, but I must tell you there is nothing wrong with electronic music. There is no "Create Music" magic button on a computer. If you think it's that easy I suggest you give everything you've got and show me something that even resembles a song.
Hahaha.. started as a side gig.. and at the time.. not metal guys.. and Not stoners.. years later they've been copied .. but by actual stoners and Not as good.. I love playing this at the Bar I work at.. always get someone asking me who this is... and get to tell them how old it is... now I mean.. haha.. still better then most.. I know it's old school inspired.. etc etc.. we are At Zero..
If you like this, you should check out Trouble. Not to detract from The Sword, since they do killer jams, but they lifted their entire sound from the band Trouble. A band that was doing the heaviest doom imaginable during the thrash scene and early Metal Blade days...long before doom/stoner/etc became a popular sub-genre.
Haven't heard them in years, im afraid to look up some stuff i don't know the lyrics to, after all the changed up / butchered up junk music i run across when im trying to find normal music some days.@@Arthur-hd8uf
Bummer to hear they have disbanded. This is the exact vibe (explorers, Orange, amps, and cranking rhythm guitars) that got me into heavy music, in ~1975
I always say that heavyness doesnt eaqual brutality. Heavy music is made of creativity not speed and screaming. And this is definitely heavier than many death metal bands
Agreed. Brutal is fine, but not every band (nor every song by a band) needs the same screaming wall-of-sound. Interesting songwriting and a nice groove go a long way.
This is bullshit. At no point do they tell us how heavy the axe actually is. You don't even get an idea of its material composition or size in order to make an educated guess.
It depends on which axe they're speaking of. . For example my Schecter blackjack which is similar to JDs Bc Rich axe is quite heavy. I do not know the exact specifications but I do know approximately after an hour it starts to hurt my back and the same can be said for most Gibson Lps. Now if they played Ibanez they might find they're relatively lighter but so is their sound. All joking aside I found your comment hilarious and this video to be awesome in every sense. :)
You silly man.... This video is actually mis-titled, they are not saying 'How heavy this axe...', they're saying 'How heavy this sax...' as in 'saxophone.' This song's subject matter clearly describes band roadies carrying gear to the next performance. I must say though, it is strange that there are no saxophones in this song, or any other woodwind/brass instruments for that matter. However, I cannot believe you got suckered like that.
You know you're a great band when your bass player can wear his little sister's V neck blouse and still rock harder than people thought was humanly possible.
Well axes arent typically very heavy. Looking at 3 to 8 ponds normally, now a long ax weighs in at 15 lbs whilst a great ax is 16 (single head) and 20 (double headed). The proper question is what is heavy?
A couple songs on the album are based on A Song of Ice and Fire, but The Black River and The Frost-Giant's Daughter are based on Conan stories from the '30s.
![The Sword - Maiden, Mother & Crone [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iL7ndxWgW5A/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Sword - Maiden, Mother & Crone [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](/img/tr.png)
![The Sword - Freya [ Age Of Winters ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Hr2m1VzTAI8/mqdefault.jpg)
It seriously bums me out that this band isn't together anymore. Killer riffage, unique vocals, just a stellar band all around.
agreed.
they released some good albums now let em rest on their laurels.
Did they disbanded?
@@matheus047ufc yes, unfortunately
When did they disband? They just played a show in Milwaukee within this past year
"Judge a man not by his words but by the quality of his mutton chops"
David St. Hubbins?
I grew mine out again.
Saint Lemmy?
Yea, verily
Que buena banda pero se acabó
So many men have fallen
So many more must die
Cut down like wheat beneath a scythe
And through our limbs may be weary
Of ripping, slashing, cleaving blows
We face an endless host of foes
How heavy this axe
Burden carried from birth
Wrought in Stygian visions
By the gods of the earth
Upon the hallowed mountain
The gods convene
To mourn the death of our ancient queen
Keepers of sacred fire
Awaken from your sleep
Drink from the cup of memory
Chugga chugga chug! Luv it!
Thanks 🙏
Pretty esoteric man
Love the hyperborean lyrics
I feel like they used up all their ideas too fast. Sword, axe, scythe, cleaver, make up your mind, guys!
I saw them play this live yesterday! I shouted out "How heavy this axe" and they played it. It might've been a coincidence, but it was nonetheless awesome.
you're so lucky cause when I saw them and shouted it, they DIDN'T play it lol. I was kinda sad but it was the High Country tour. but I mean hey they opened with Tres Brujas so I thought what the hell.
+Tony Blaze for me it was the high country tour too. It was probably a coincidence, because they didn't play other shout outs.
+Ben Weissman Yea i guess they really just wanted to promote the album lol it was pretty decent though. dreamthieves is fuckin rad
+Tony Blaze yeah it was awesome. They played all their new songs like they were metal and it kicked ass- people moshed to them!
I love them live
Did know who they were until I saw them live opening for Clutch
INSTANT FAN
Drummer: “Mom, I gotta go, we’re shooting a video today!”
Mom: “Not in that outfit you’re not! Put this shirt on!”
😂
Kind of looks like Chris Chan's classic shirt.
Drummer: "We're shooting the video today? Damn it, I'm in line at Sam's Club. I'll be there in ten, but you gotta help me unload these groceries."
I'm fucking dying. LOL
Best comment ever!
haha
lol, and he can really play too!
That's what I love about this band. It's like they grabbed the first clothing items they saw in their closets and said, "Yeah, that works." 8)
This is 90's band footage dubbed to 80's metal with 70's effects... awesome :)
They formed in 2003..
@@johanbrodin8629 Admittedly pretty muddled and feeble praise on my part but I was almost certainly drunk when I commented. My intent was simply to laud their awesome blend of vintage styles. But thanks for the clarification.
@@johanbrodin8629lol
Wtf????
You 're right!!!!!!!
How is this at least 9 years old and I'm just hearing this now?
Mother internet, you have failed me.
Ha ha! Mother Internet!
Just throwing it out there check out baroness if you haven't yet
So have your friends, they've failed you too
I agree what the hell. This is good stuff!!
You must be living under a rock or something
This is so retro and 70's, I love it
Crazy how this band is retro NOW in 2024 😮
Thanks youtube for putting this video in my feed 15 years after the song released.
Same WTF if bands now can only hang on for 16 YEARS TH-cam will promote!
I miss THIS sword..
The Warp Riders and after that just don't FEEL the same to me
@@MrJimbojamez May not feel the same, but I love up to Apocryphon. Beyond is a hard pass.
Honestly, I feel like everything up to high country was good. Used future sucks, although the actual song used future is meh.
I always saw dudes wearing "The Sword" shirts back in the day. I just got around to listening to them and OMG these guys are so good!
This is metal at its purest and yes its ideal for playing D&D and video game too. The Sword delivers the uncut product.
Riffs from 1972
Cymbals overload from 1968
3/4 sleeve T-shirt from 1977
Animated prehistoric background from 1965
Animated psychadelic background from 1968
Vocals from 1983
Tribal tattoos from 1993
Mutton chops from 1974
Overweight drummer in striped polo shirt from ???The future???
That's right.
And your point is?
There was so many people in 70s who used to wear striped polo. You've got to check more things about that decade before you analyze.
That will do pig, that'll do.
War Pig y. y. ye. Yeah it’s called stoner rock.
I remember the first time I was introduced to these guys, my mind was totally blasted, so heavy, so perfect.
How The Sword were not cast as Dethklok's nemesis.... we shall never know.
Saw these guy live on the death magnetic tour. Headliners were the sword, lamb of god, metallica. They were awesome.
I saw that tour too that's how I discovered them!
That tour was insane for us in Montreal we got gojira lamd of god and metallica but i would have preferred to see the sword
In Portland, Or we got Down as the opener, then I went to Seattle a week later and The Sword was the opener, f'ing amazing.
These guys made me realize that I was a sinner for not listenning to metal....FORGIVE ME GODS OF METAL I SHALL BRANDISH MY AXE ONCE MORE !!!!
TH-cam recommendation:
Me: But I've watched this so many times already
TH-cam recommendation:
Me: No, you're right. *clicks*
hahahahahahaa!!
Truth
They are definitely going for the mid-late 70's metal feel. I dig it!
aerospike00 yes,they woulda fit right in between Sabbath, Priest & Diamondhead
and duuuuuh........ Motorhead
How would u know?
Specially with David Gilmore on bass
Check the sideburns of the vocalist, so retro.
One of my all time favorite bands. The Sword shall live forever!!
Saw them play in Seattle last night. Awesome.
Keeping great music alive!!!
These guys grew up listening to the band PENTAGRAM
Hail the true voice of doom Bobby Liebling
Thank you guys for your fantastic music!! 🙌🙌🙌
I am pretty sure that they used to play Dungeons and Dragons in someone´s garage...
...so?
+Evan Frankenstein So it makes this band even better, because of those lyrics
Hellion Malkav oh I took that the wrong way. I thought you were making fun of people who play d&d in garages (me)
+Evan Frankenstein Well, I am one of those too xDDDD
Or they took a shit load of Mescaline and acid
I saw these guys YEARS ago, and someone in the crowd kept saying "guitar player has mom hair." Yeah... anyhow, cool video.
Why did I took so much time to find you?
This songs giving me feeling being send back in time to the 70's - THANK YOU!
The gods have told me to wield this axe and carve mountains with it. It has been foretold.
damn right, ur comment reminded me of voodoo child by jh
This album got me through my second deployment to Afghanland... Lots of gym hours blasting my earholes with this sweetness...
You killed sheep lovers?
Thanks for your service. Long live metal
@@nicolausteslausgross comment there, bud
@@TonyContiniProductions thank you for your support!!! …do you know why the Sword disbanded?
Barstard Sabbath Child!
Sucks they just broke up! Glad I've seen them once
Thank you... The Gifts from above come new each day.
I’m seeing these guys open for Clutch tomorrow and this is the first time I am listening to them as I had never heard of them until now. I can’t fucking wait.
Me too
Just saw them last night! They kill it live! Better than Clutch was
Featuring Totally normal guy on the drums.
i've been a sword fan since age of winters came out, but i think this is the best song they've written so far. that verse riff is fuckin' brutal!
My kind of music and style...love the bell bottoms
A Gibson explorer non the less , a fitting axe indeed ...
Give me the ring to Mordor I'll take it there by myself listening to this album
- If Ozzy sung this song it would also KICK ASS! AAAAAALLLLLLLLL RIIIIIIIIIGHT NNNNNNOWWWWWWWWW!
God damn, I love The Sword.
I know they have been around for a bit. But I just discovered them. WOW! This is some serious Viking metal!! I cant get enough of it! Awesome stuff.
It isn’t viking metal at all…
My first real guitar for playing shows was a Gibson epiphone explorer! That was a beast of a guitar it survived hell and back.
Christopher layne how heavy was that axe?
+jdad6 lol the heaviest axe known to man!!
Christopher layne
I don't care for Jacksons or Washburns or BC Rich much. I had an SG but I couldn't do it justice.
Digging that 1981 shirt the drummer has on...used to own several myself.
This is the first time ive heard of them. Love it.
I wish I could discover the sword for the first time again
These dudes jammeth. :)
most mightily
griffinmatter
Yes they do! Early priest feel here...
The Gods of Rock are pleased...
Actually heard them playing as a background song on American Dad for years and had no clue. Started listening to them and wad blown away at EVERY ALBUM AND EVERY SONG!!! Just a completely overlooked band.
"how heavy this saxxxx 🎷"
Awesome riffs, killer tone, and amazing genre. The Sword kill the stoner/doom metal genre!
I love it no scream-o no cookie monster just good old fashion metal. thank you , you make this old man's blood pump again.
Cookie Monster can be good though.
You can like two different things, you know.
cookie monster don't eat shortbread
@andrewmcintosh2703 not if one of them is fucking trash
I'm going to see them in Jacksonville in Jan open for Clutch. Fucking excited!
2 awesome bands!!!!
Saw Graveyard and Mastodon open for Clutch. Tasty little nuggets of alien technology indeed.
That's the perfect mix of style, video and sound. Good work.
So pure and heavy
I just heard this in the burger shop I go to once in a while. Heavy riffage! As an old guy, this warms my heart. Every time I see some kids actually playing metal, or anything that requires a musical instrument for that matter, it makes me happy. It's four less jagoffs standing behind a mixing board and some fake turntables pumping a fist and holding half an earphone.
I own most of The Sword on CD and listen to tons of metal, but I must tell you there is nothing wrong with electronic music. There is no "Create Music" magic button on a computer. If you think it's that easy I suggest you give everything you've got and show me something that even resembles a song.
PurpleCaliper Fuck off, you fucking douche.
This is awesome! But recommend near end of 2019?!
Same here
Me too. Must be the Red Fang.
Long after the band lost all of its magic
FuzzyDancingBear I disagree
BREAKING NEWS! The inspiration for this song was when John picked up a completely solid mahogany les paul
Norlin era boat anchor for sure.
makes sense
That sure is heavy
Weight relieved guitars sound like skim milk.
200lb Les and some p90’s are sufficient to melt faces.
I was 32 when this came out. My boys were 8 and 5 at the time. My oldest turns 22 tomorrow. #oldfart
My head bobs back and forth as the supreme guitar riffs rock it like a brutal lullaby.
Brutal music (and brutal sideburns).
It's almost as if I've been transported to the 70's owo
Singer = Metal
Guitar = Metal
Bass = Metal
Drummer = Xerox machine repair guy... wtf?
dude the drummer makes this band, they'd be lifeless without him.
@@Jeton6 he does look like he plays at the local church, but I agree, dude is really good.. literally just heard of them.. weird.
Hahaha.. started as a side gig.. and at the time.. not metal guys.. and Not stoners.. years later they've been copied .. but by actual stoners and Not as good.. I love playing this at the Bar I work at.. always get someone asking me who this is... and get to tell them how old it is... now I mean.. haha.. still better then most.. I know it's old school inspired.. etc etc.. we are At Zero..
rodzandz bro the drummer is the coolest dude there
None of them look metal. They look like beach bums.
If you like this, you should check out Trouble. Not to detract from The Sword, since they do killer jams, but they lifted their entire sound from the band Trouble. A band that was doing the heaviest doom imaginable during the thrash scene and early Metal Blade days...long before doom/stoner/etc became a popular sub-genre.
The Sword should've been bigger than Mastodon and Queens of The Stone Age. These dudes are so overlooked it's criminal!
Great stuff
Better to listen to Mastodon it's better quality better sounding
Haven't heard them in years, im afraid to look up some stuff i don't know the lyrics to, after all the changed up / butchered up junk music i run across when im trying to find normal music some days.@@Arthur-hd8uf
I love how heavy this axe and how low-fi this videoclip.
I get to see them, Clutch & Crobot all on the same bill next month !
I saw that bill!
The whole band looks like a metal version of casual Friday at a work place.
Hands down THE best song of all time to chop wood to. Or any ax related chore.
Bummer to hear they have disbanded. This is the exact vibe (explorers, Orange, amps, and cranking rhythm guitars) that got me into heavy music, in ~1975
they have apparently regrouped
Jesus I thought the release of the new Tool album made me feel old, then I realize this was released 11 years ago......😲😄
I always say that heavyness doesnt eaqual brutality. Heavy music is made of creativity not speed and screaming. And this is definitely heavier than many death metal bands
Agreed. Brutal is fine, but not every band (nor every song by a band) needs the same screaming wall-of-sound. Interesting songwriting and a nice groove go a long way.
Yeah death metal is more brutal and hardcore than heavy. Heaviness will always go hand in hand with doom.
@@joshtyler1300 heavy means it makes you bang your head and this band does it like very few other
@@cheersbro7347okay let's calm down there, death metal is still heavier in terms of headbanging. Just listen to vader
@BEHSMIS no
This is bullshit. At no point do they tell us how heavy the axe actually is. You don't even get an idea of its material composition or size in order to make an educated guess.
Lol
It depends on which axe they're speaking of. . For example my Schecter blackjack which is similar to JDs Bc Rich axe is quite heavy. I do not know the exact specifications but I do know approximately after an hour it starts to hurt my back and the same can be said for most Gibson Lps. Now if they played Ibanez they might find they're relatively lighter but so is their sound. All joking aside I found your comment hilarious and this video to be awesome in every sense. :)
D = M/V
Funniest thing iv read on the youtubes in awhile
You silly man.... This video is actually mis-titled, they are not saying 'How heavy this axe...', they're saying 'How heavy this sax...' as in 'saxophone.' This song's subject matter clearly describes band roadies carrying gear to the next performance. I must say though, it is strange that there are no saxophones in this song, or any other woodwind/brass instruments for that matter. However, I cannot believe you got suckered like that.
Whoa!!!! This Kicks ASS!!! I never heard of these guys before!
This song is great, the riff is crazy, the rhythm is amazing, I love it.
Yes, How Heavy This Axe !!!
Speed up 1.25x for some thrash hahaha
+Rolf Eijgenraam This already thrashy as fuck
+Rolf Eijgenraam Speed down to 0.5 and you get Electric Wizard.
+Rolf Eijgenraam Long lost children from the bay.
Hell yeah
Rolf Eijgenraam thanx now this song is listenable!
Speed down to 0.5 and you get Electric Wizard.
+antoniusmetal That's just epic!
+antoniusmetal thank you very much sir!
Bibl888
You're welome!
+antoniusmetal That was awesome!
fuckin cool :))
Y'all want to knoe how heavy this axe is ? Then y'all must ask Eugene ... be careful with that axe , Eugene ...
I dont think a lot of people are getting this reference.
HEAVY
God damnit I love this song. So f'n stoked for the show with Clutch in Philly!!!!
Cool!
Love it!!!
I miss this version of the Sword. They blow now.
I'm so annoyed I've only just recently heard of this band they are awesome
Gods of the Earth is one of my favorite albums ever. Love this video too. Live by the Sword!
Man, these dudes have a great sound. One of the best new metal bands out there for me. Long live rock!
I like! Real heavy Ozzy influence on vocals (at least to me)...
you know ur a great band when ur drummer wears a striped polo shirt
Stigmatta I saw them in Memphis last week. Lead singer has shaved. And short hair. They all had long sleeve button up shirts.
Shit, that's the Fu Manchu uniform.
You know you're a great band when your bass player can wear his little sister's V neck blouse and still rock harder than people thought was humanly possible.
Did you Red Fang on tour with The Sword? Check out 'Murder the Mountains' available now via Relapse Records!
That must have been as godly show
I love it! Absolutely awesome!!!
Fu fu f f fifteen years ago this? Damn I am old
Played these guys albums to death. Can anyone suggest more awesome bands like this?
Neon Warship, The Shrine
Clutch!!
inkgeek Clutch rules
Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats
Nevesis
So, anyone still wondering how really heavy is this axe?
If you have to ask...it's too heavy for you.
Only a few worthy can reckon the weight
Well axes arent typically very heavy. Looking at 3 to 8 ponds normally, now a long ax weighs in at 15 lbs whilst a great ax is 16 (single head) and 20 (double headed). The proper question is what is heavy?
Well it is a Gibson 🤪
The clue is in the song. Count how many times the drummer beats the piss out of that poor cymbal, and you get the weight of “this axe” in grams.
I miss this version of The Sword.
Awesome throwback video style.
First saw them live at Orion. Going back for more Nov 13 in Philly. Can't wait!
Played it on 1.25, You'll Get some Thrash in good ways...
BS! Thrashing starts at 1.5 minimum!!
this album is based on the Game of thrones book series. for those that don't know already.
A couple songs on the album are based on A Song of Ice and Fire, but The Black River and The Frost-Giant's Daughter are based on Conan stories from the '30s.
Aww yes! Back when The Sword was good.
😔..... Yes.. when it was all for Fun... first and second Albums.. not taking it serious.. and were just Awesome..
Tf you mean "was" ????
@@jaredsan9994 their new albums are meh for me. They are good, but not my taste
This was a pleasant surprise this morning!🔥🔥🔥
Wow, that was awesome!
Its good to see Kyuss back together.
Ken G that guy can't sing. This guy can
^lol
Personally I think the guy is a whiney bitch. I know . im in the .5%. I've tried. Just can't stand him