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Lords

Swords (2005)
Jade Tree Records

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Contributed by: Jesse
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on August 19th 2005

Last year when I got Lords' initial release on Initial Records in the mail from Punknews, I didn't know what to expect. I then had my face completely rocked off for the next twelve minutes. I did everything I could to see them live, and I wasn't disappointed. They have one of the loudest shows I've ever seen, with some of the craziest musicianship that doesn't compromise the overall rock. So when I heard they were releasing a full length, I was properly stoked. A prime example of what I like to think of as the redemption of hardcore and metal, Lords -- in my mind -- are one of the bands set to save the music industry from becoming mediocre and boring. And let me tell you, Swords doesn't disappoint.

Blasting through thirteen songs in just under twenty minutes, Swords is a fast, blasting mix of hardcore, punk, and metal without falling into any conventional genre. With crazy stop and go riffs that are all over the place and heavy, intense drums, Lords has created their own distinct sound that apes no one and has yet to be mimicked (probably since they're such a young band). Time signatures and tempos are thrown around probably just as much as your favorite math-metal band, yet Lords loses nothing from their spectrum of being straightforward rock. Songs are short, ranging from one to two minutes, yet Lords accomplishes so much more in one minute than most bands can in five or six.

The best part of Swords is the growth that is there after the release of The House That Lords Built. No longer is the band afraid to slow down to sludgy metal, and yet they lose none of the momentum they've built up. "She Is The Last" takes some from the Melvins' sludge metal while "Talking Whip" has one of the heaviest breakdowns I've ever heard. But just because they've embraced slower tempos doesn't mean they've given up on their punk and hardcore heritage.

The album opener, "Stigmata Rites," blazes straight through your ears in one of the most bombastic intros ever. "Slow And Stupid" is anything but. Instead, it's one of the fastest songs I've ever heard that doesn't rely on the crutch of a double time drum beat. And the rest of the album is just as good.

It's hard giving an album a ten. It has to be something that will stand the test of time while being inventive and great in all aspects. I fully believe that Swords perfectly encompasses all of these aspects. It's hard for a band to construct a masterpiece of an album, and to do so in under twenty minutes easily gets my vote for album of the year.

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nosedive (March 16, 2006)

picked this up a little bit ago still on constant rotation,lords,never fail to satisfy.

darkstarm (December 29, 2005)

I just bought this record and let me tell you all, it fucking shreds.

Anonymous (August 25, 2005)

Jesse, I bet you live with your mommy, don't you? Are you 13?

dazed (August 23, 2005)

Oh, and Lords are a prety awesome live band.

dazed (August 23, 2005)

Wow I found quite a few great things just browsing for a second through some Brazilian bands and Articles of Faith who've been one of my personal favorite bands from that era for quite some time now.

Anonymous (August 21, 2005)

It's awesome, but not perfect. Probably when its server moves, they'll get more entries... As of now, though, no Middle Class or Cheifs histories... A lot of crucial albums just aren't reviewed.

It's no doubt the best hardcore resource on the internet or in print, but it's not perfect yet.

-BSD

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

Kill From The Heart is an awesome website....hands down the best as far as 80's hardcore punk resources....you can find info on almost ANY band, no matter how obscure.- Brandon Sideleau

notfeelingcreative (August 20, 2005)

I kind of agree with BSD, I dig this album, but it kind of lacks consistency. Still really good, in my opinion.

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

Converge doesn't hold a candle to this, Converge blows

Russe11 (August 20, 2005)

I respect BSD.

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

bsd writes wikipedia...thats why

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

Some good shit, definitely. But Converge called, they want their artwork back...

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

Dude, I could have written those fucking pathetic Wikipedia articles.

I read a fanzine called "Ugly Things". I've read two books about "punk rock"- "Please Kill Me" and "We've Got the Neutron Bomb". Reading about it is fun and all, but those books both leave a lot of crucial music of the era out.

And if you already know what you're looking for, Kill From the Heart can be a great online resource. But you have to know what you're looking for.

-BSD

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

bsd reads wikipedia...thats why

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

How old are you BSD? I'm just curious as to how you know so much about punk, and I guess music in general. No one under 21 should know this much about music...

-Not-To-Regret

Anonymous (August 20, 2005)

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile &friendID=3137240&Mytoken=20050819174526

This guy lost at life.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

Cleveland!

takingchase (August 19, 2005)

plus I live in Ohio, theres not a local indie record store anywhere near me.

takingchase (August 19, 2005)

I just spent all my money on a car payment. I don't have 10 bucks

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

I'm digging the way they keep getting described as a mix between Black Flag & Black Sabbath (even though Flag had a lot of Sabbath as well). I haven't heard anything yet.....but this sounds promising. I'll download a few songs and if I like it I'll head down to the indie record store.

Jesse (August 19, 2005)

Dude, just buy the album. It's worth your measly ten bucks.

takingchase (August 19, 2005)

anyone on soulseek got this? I didn't come up with any results

etwiels88 (August 19, 2005)

Score is for the word bombastic.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

Ky boys bringing the noise. See this band live just for the staggering amount of gear their only guitar player uses. Badass band, great record, weird fucking dudes.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

Sources don't come much more reputable than Jesse.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

I'm still unsure as to whether or not I'm going to buy it. Two years ago I ordered every single new album that Jade Tree put out, but times have changed. I'll wait until a reputable source reviews this.

-Chinatown

Bosco (August 19, 2005)

Wasn't logged in, shitty. That's me below.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

Picked this up for $7 new at our local record store. I didn't know what they sounded like, but $7 for a full-length from a highly recommended band on an awesome label seemed like a good gamble.

God damn, this CD rocks my face off. I just wish it were a little longer than 20 minutes.

Jesse (August 19, 2005)

To be honest, I outgrew MxPx and Saves the Day. I ate that shit up in junior high.

jamespastepunk (August 19, 2005)

LIAR!

(I kid.)

darkstarm (August 19, 2005)

I’m wary of anything that gets a ten... but now I’m just excited. Will be in my next group of CDs I buy, and goddamn you if this isn’t as good as you say it is, Jesse. God damn you.

Just kidding man, you’re alright.

P.S. The idea that you can’t outgrow music is ridiculous. I loved Ska/Punk when I was 13-15 years old but eventually moved on to other stuff. That’s just how it happens.

Jesse (August 19, 2005)

Hah! No, I felt sort of the same way about "House That Lords Built." It really matters how you listen to this album. It's recorded very noisy and raw, so clean, neat speakers means a lot. Standard computer speakers can't differentiate the sounds. I recommend headphones.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

I listened to half of this last night and it has its moments, but a lot of parts just kind of blank out and are white noise. They are definitely very talented, but it would be cool if they stuck to riffs a little more than just going all over the place.

That's what makes Das Oath and Coliseum better, in my opinion. After you hear a song, you can remember it. Also, you remember it as being good.

-BSD

CrookedSuperhero (August 19, 2005)

Stigmata Rites is rawking. I'll be ordering this today.

Jesse (August 19, 2005)

The art is amazing. Stan the drummer does it all. As for Animal Collective, I thought you were referring to the Vashti Bunyan EP. That review is in queue and will be posted sometime.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

Score's for the art.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

This album is fucking great. I was mixed on their last album on Initial Records. It was good but not great. But Swords blows it and all other albums out the water.

Ramo
(Also great live band)

theundergroundscene (August 19, 2005)

i want to hear this, good review

someone hook me up with it

CrookedSuperhero (August 19, 2005)

Aws!

LevitateMe (August 19, 2005)

I don't know about that. I remember being in high school and loving punk and hardcore, but now I can't stand much of either.

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

If you've "outgrown" any kind of music, you never really liked it in the first place. Push your boring indie shit elsewhere.

-BSD

AlmostPunkEnough (August 19, 2005)

damn fine record, great technical skills these bastards have. i didn't like it much at first, but on about the 5th listen it just started ripping my face off. give it a chance, you'll be addicted.

great review jesse.

LevitateMe (August 19, 2005)

Not in stores

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

new animal collective is not out yet

LevitateMe (August 19, 2005)

The only Animal Collective review on this site is your review of Sung Tongs.

Psychoos231 (August 19, 2005)

Nice review.I'll be sure to check out the album

Jesse (August 19, 2005)

Eh, I don't have either, and someone already reviewed the new Animal Collective.

LevitateMe (August 19, 2005)

I was wondering if I had outgrown hardcore so I downloaded this. I think I should go do my taxes now.

Jesse, review the new Xiu Xiu or Animal Collective.

stevejonestherealbones (August 19, 2005)

wow. that stigmata rites song rips. i remember not being that impressed with the stuff i heard from the ep. i think i am gonna pick this up tomorrow

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

corpseofmymotivation (August 19, 2005)

I got the EP about a week ago, saw them two days ago, and bought this CD that night. I fully agree with absolutely every statement in this review. Incredible CD, incredible live show, incredible band.

stevejonestherealbones (August 19, 2005)

if the album title rhymes with the band name...i'm there

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (August 19, 2005)

so are you trying to say this is better than Strung Out?

Anchors (August 19, 2005)

This album rules.

Jesse (August 19, 2005)

Are you calling me a liar? Goddamned sonofabitch!

jamespastepunk (August 19, 2005)

If its as good as you say, Swords is now on my list of CDs to buy.

ElVaquero (August 19, 2005)

See, that's how you justify giving a 9 or a 10.