The Sword Announce New Texas Shows, Speak On New Material & Plans For “Warp Riders” 15th Anniversary

The Sword made their long-awaited return to the stage in 2024, reuniting for the first time since their 2022 breakup. Now, the Texas-based stoner/doom outfit is keeping the momentum going with a pair of newly announced headlining shows in April, while also setting their sights on new music and more. The upcoming dates include:

04/10 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
04/11 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger

Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 7th, at 10:00 AM local time, with additional summer shows currently in the works.

In a recent interview with Revolver, vocalist/guitarist John D. Cronise reflected on the band’s initial breakup and what ultimately led to their return. When The Sword first called it quits, Cronise was firm in his decision, stating, “Everything I ever wanted to say and do with The Sword creatively has been said and done.” However, when asked about that stance now, he offered a more nuanced perspective:

“…That statement was very true when I made it, and even now. Like, going forward I’m not sure what new Sword material is going to sound like. But it’s not going to sound like old Sword material — sorry to disappoint all the diehards. [Laughs] And it’s not necessarily going to sound like the last couple records, either.

I always have to try something different and new. When I said that at the time, it was kind of like: With the sort of genre we were perceived as — you know, stoner rock, doom metal, whatever — as far as that milieu is concerned, I was done. That was sort of me saying, ‘I can’t write any more of these stoner rock songs like I’ve written. I squeezed the last one out and I got no more.’

But, you know, that’s not to say I can’t. We’re still gonna write heavy material. But as far as traditional stoner rock like our first few albums…when I listen to them, they sound kind of weird to me. As an artist, I always have to move forward and try different things. So, that’s what I’m looking forward to — to seeing what we come up with. Because I’m not capable of writing Age of Winters II or Warp Riders II. I couldn’t do it if I wanted to.”

On the status of new material, Cronise added:

“We have a couple demos laying around, but we have yet to really get together and concentrate on it. I’ve been in such a transitional state with moving. I was sort of semi-displaced by Hurricane Helene. I lived in Black Mountain, [North Carolina], and I couldn’t really go back to my house after that.

I was actually not in town when the hurricane happened [in September 2024], luckily. But I had to move out right after that. So I’ve been in a holding pattern here for the last couple months, and I’m finally moving to Austin in the next couple days. Then we’ll be able to get into the nitty gritty of working on new material.”

Looking ahead, 2025 will mark the 15th anniversary of the band’s third album, Warp Riders, with plans underway for a celebratory tour and a special Record Store Day vinyl pressing.

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