RESURRECTIONS
Unearthing the latest metal reissues
CONNIE GORDON/JONATHAN SELZER
Austin sideburn-farmers THE SWORD went on a well-deserved hiatus two years back and were all set to re-emerge when COVID-19 nixed their comeback plans. But no virus can stop Craft Recordings’ massive celebration of the band via two career-spanning retrospectives. Chronology: 2006-2018[8] is a three-CD set comprised of their more popular and recognisable odes to stoner metal, psychedelic doom and space rock jams alongside unreleased live tracks, covers and rarities highlighting the quartet’s aptitude at kneading sizzlin’ guitars and high-kickin’ flash into hazy riffs that can still tear up blacktop. Additionally, the Texans’ impact across musical generations is demonstrated via liner note essays by members of Metallica, Lamb Of God and Clutch. Conquest Of Kingdoms[6] comes in a three-LP gatefold package, but its contents are mostly cherrypicked from the back end of Chronology’s absurdly lengthy runtime. As such, it’s only essential to wax-collecting completists. Speaking of absurd, 2019 marked the 15th anniversary of German power metal aristocrats, POWERWOLF, a band equally at home onstage at massive festivals as in stone castle corridors. Best Of The Blessed[7] corrals 16 majestic moments from their celebrated discography (half of which have been re-recorded) to illustrate epic chorus strength and questionable tact - i.e. the ridiculously beloved Resurrection By Erection.