Denver was clearly ready for Austin heavy hitters The Sword’s long-awaited return to the Gothic Theatre. Hardy fans braved frigid temperatures and a driving snowstorm that made for treacherous travel throughout the city. And for just over an hour, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie, drummer Santiago Vela, and guitarist/singer JD Cronise spun their tales of witches, wolves, and goddesses over their trademark vintage groove and chugging, hard-driving riffs.
A circle pit emerged at the first notes of opener “Freya”, and didn’t stop until the the final notes of the fitting (and personal favorite!) “Winter’s Wolves” closed out the set. The room erupted, horns in the air, after every song. This set was packed with bangers spanning all six of the band’s albums from their fourteen year history, from 2006’s Age of Winters to their latest full length, 2018’s Used Future. I couldn’t have requested a better setlist.
There’s an energy surrounding this band that connects a wide spectrum of heavy music fans, and what better way to drive that home then a one-song encore, covering Ozzy Osborne’s “Mr Crowley.” If but for just an hour, live music provides an escape, one of the best ways to tune out from the bullshit. And The Sword, as always, delivered that and more last night.
The Sword, March 09, 2022, Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO Setlist
Freya, Tres Brujas, Seven Sisters, Maiden, Mother & Crone, The Horned Goddess, Tears Like Diamonds, Deadly Nightshade, Empty Temples, Dying Earth, How Heavy This Axe, Cloak Of Feathers, Winter’s Wolves, Mr Crowley (Ozzy Osbourne)
Album Breakdown
Age of Winters (3), Gods of the Earth (2), Warp Riders (1), Apocryphon (3), High Country (2), Used Future (1)
Instrumental duo Zombi opened. Here are some photos from their set.
The Sword, March 09, 2022, Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO Photo Gallery
