Used Future

I've got time to get in one final new release from 2018, before I get ready to close things out with my End Of The Year post.

At one time I really liked The Sword, but when they released their High Country album back in 2015, I kind of soured on them. The album seemed to mark a change of direction from the band, moving away from their doom metal sound, and I resisted it, and refused to give it a chance. Fuck that maturing bullshit. I wanted them to stay the same.

Given how resistant I was to the last record, I'm not sure what made me download a copy of their new album, Used Future. I gave the songs a listen, and surprisingly, I didn't want to just delete it from my iPod. I hung on to it, and occasionally would give it a spin, and it slowly grew on me. Sure this isn't a doomy as their first few records, but man, these are some chill tunes.

I love the look of this cover art, and the red vinyl is a nice touch.

Double-Edged Sword

I've been a fan of The Sword since their first album, Age Of Winters, back in 2006. I've purchased each album they have released since their debut...on vinyl. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the band was releasing a new album this year, and I was soon looking forward to it's arrival.

You know what you are going to get when you buy a new album from The Sword. They have that rocking Stoner Metal sound...they know it, and they stick to it. The new album, Apocryphon, might bring more of the same, but it is what I like, so I approve.

2,000 pressed on lava orange swirl vinyl.

When I picked up a copy of Apocryphon, the store was giving out free copies of the album on cassette. I think that we are all aware that I'm not a fan of this format. Still, the 14 year old kid in me found it kind of cool. I bought most things on cassette as a kid, and a bit of nostalgia kicked in when I was holding this tape in my hand and exiting the store. Still, I'm not sure why I'm holding on to all these old tapes, and whenever I think about them, I wonder why I'm not putting them up on eBay for record money. A part of me hates to let go of that history, and while I have no way to play them, flipping through those old Iron Maiden and AC/DC tapes, reminds me of those innocent days of youth...when music was new for me, and each purchase was precious and exciting. Music started to take over my life with cassettes, so I wonder if I'll ever be able to let that piece go from my collection.

If you make something "limited" to 3,000 pieces, what is the point of numbering it?

Warped Sword

The Sword drop the fantasy theme for their newest album, Warp Riders, and opt for more of a 70's Star Wars looking album cover. Incredibly well done Stoner Metal with riffs that were made to simply crush your head. Goddamn, this album is so good.

The packaging is a beautiful gatefold sleeve that continues with the outer space theme.

Hand numbered and limited to 5,000.

The Sword also released a picture disc for the single (The Night The Sky Cried) Tears of Fire. The b-side of this single is an unreleased song, Farstar, that is a bit more trippy, and not that strong of a song. I typically don't go for the picture disc...especially for just a single...but I liked the new Sword album so much that I figured what the hell, and picked it up.

Record Store Day

April 19th was officially Record Store Day, and had now topped Christmas as my favorite holiday. While I unofficially celebrate the holiday a couple times a month, this day was specifically designated by the independent record store. Locally, I've got a handful of these independent record stores, and I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have so many options. I check messageboards and read about other people ordering everything online with Best Buy as their only option for record stores. That is truly sad, as there is nothing like browsing through a store and hunting for some kind of treasure. I made sure that I showed my appreciation for these local stores and Jeff and I planned on hitting them up on this holiday.

Our first stop was Enterprise Records in Portland. Before we got there, Jeff stated that he didn't really like this store because of the owner. Then while we were there, and Jeff was pulling some vinyl out of the sleeve to inspect the quality, the guy told him that there was no reason for him to check them as they only buy quality records. This certainly rubbed him the wrong way, and it got me laughing to see the guy irritate him. Anyway, this is one of the best places around to pick up some used vinyl at a decent price, and I sure walked away with my fair share.

• Anvil - Hard and Heavy : I had never heard this album from Anvil, but it was in great condition and was their first LP, so I picked it up. Pretty good Canadian metal.
• Dio - Holy Diver : No doubt about it, I love everything Ronnie James Dio has put his name on. After leaving Black Sabbath, Holy Diver was his first solo record, and man, it is damn near perfect. Another album in great condition from Enterprise.
• Rainbow - Rising : Another LP with Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals. Classic Dio and Ritchie Blackmore.
• Judas Priest - Sad Wings Of Destiny : I have been on a huge Priest kick lately, and this album is one of their best. Only the second album for the band, and for 1976 it was a huge statement for Heavy Metal. The transitions from the softer songs, like Epitaph, into the screaming guitars of Island of Domination is just mind blowing. Intense. The album cover condition on this one wasn't as good as I would have liked, but the vinyl is in mint condition.
• Judas Priest - Sin After Sin : Another one from Judas Priest. I didn't really appreciate this one when I was younger. I'm not sure why...the similarities to Sad Wings of Destiny are obvious, but as a teenager, songs like The Last Rose of Summer did not help my opinion on this album. As time has gone on, I find myself reaching for this album more and more out of the Priest library.

After our trip to Enterprise Records, we stopped in to Newbury Comics. These guys new how to celebrate the day by offering 15% off on all vinyl, and 35% off on all used CD's. Damn, how can I not show my appreciation for that! In addition to a few CD's, I also picked up the new album by The Sword. Packaged beautifully with a gatefold cover, this thing looks as great as it sounds. Only a metal band could get away with a song named Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians. After Newbury Comics, Jeff and I took a trip over to Bull Moose. While they had no sales, they did have free candy and sodas to go along with the two new CD's that I bought. Truly a great day.

Die By The Sword

Okay, so I may have a problem. I was going to be headed to Jeff's over the weekend, and I wanted to show up with the 12 inch split of The Sword and Witchcraft. I had seen it at Newbury Comics a month ago, and since then they have been selling for around $25 on eBay. All online stores were listing it as sold out, and sure enough, it was gone at Newbury's as well. I took a trip over to Bull Moose Music and found that they had a copy of Age of Winters by The Sword. I already owned this on CD, but I picked it up anyway. First reason was that I really had my heart set on buying some vinyl, and my addiction was not going to let me walk out of the store without buying something. Second, slight paranoia crept in that I was going to regret not buying this for $11 when I saw it....just like I got burned with the split 12 inch. Yeah, I may need a serious detox program.