Austin band, The Sword, have released their third full-length album, Warp Riders.

The album marks a departure for the band, both in terms of theme and sound. The theme moves to a sci-fi concept, and the sound is a little more “rock” than “metal”. There’s no question, the sound and the themes are still The Sword, but you can tell there’s a different sound.

For instance, songs like “Night City” and “Tres Brujas” have a bit more 70’s rock sound to them. I could see these songs, especially “Night City” being played on rock radio stations. There’s a good groove to things, a hook, memorable choruses that you’d find yourself singing or humming later on.

But fret not. Heaviness still abounds on tracks like “Arrows In the Dark”, “Astraea’s Dream” (one of two instrumentals). Still epic sounds like “The Chronomancer I: Hubris” (clocking in a 7 minutes and 35 seconds).

Why the change in themes and song structures? Could it be an attempt to gain a larger audience? If so, nothing wrong with that (perhaps all that time on tour with Metallica rubbed off?). I think the band is still true to who they are, but I would say if you want to hear what “The Sword” is about, you have to check out the first album, “Age of Winters”.

But I think the change is good, especially for this third album. If they did the same thing on this album, then I think the band would have forever been pigeonholed into being this “stoner rock” “Dungeons & Dragons” sort of band and they’d have a hard time breaking out of that mold. Taking the approach they did on this album shows the band can paint with a wider brush, yet remain true to themselves.

I’m digging the album so far. I just wish their only Austin appearance wasn’t at the Austin City Limits festival… need to see them in a local club next time they return to their hometown.