In October 2022, fans of The Sword were stunned when the band’s frontman announced that, after 19 years, the band was calling it quits. Just 21 months later, the story flipped — and The Sword is back.
And what a return it’s been.
Their sold-out show at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall was more than just a reunion gig — it was a statement. Timed perfectly with the 15th anniversary of Warp Riders, their bold, sci-fi concept album, the night was both a celebration of the past and a blazing re-entry into the scene.
From the opening riff of “How Heavy This Axe”, the crowd was all in. The band wasted no time reestablishing their dominance, delivering fan favorites like “Cloak of Feathers”, “Empty Temples”, and “High Country” with raw, renewed energy.
Mid-set, they threw a wild card into the mix — a haunting, cosmic cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Unexpected, yes. But it felt right at home, bridging Bowie’s spacefaring mystique with the band’s heavy psych-metal roots. It was a risk that paid off in full — easily one of the night’s most jaw-dropping moments.
But the true centerpiece was the full live performance of Warp Riders. Few bands dare to play an entire album straight through — fewer still make it feel essential.
From “Acheron / Unearthing the Orb” to the searing finale “(The Night the Sky Cried) Tears of Fire,” the set captured the conceptual depth and musical ambition that made Warp Riders such a standout in their catalog. For longtime fans, it was more than a performance — it was a resurrection of a universe they’ve lived in for over a decade.
The encore delivered a final punch, featuring “Farstar,” “Daughter of Dawn,” and the always-epic “Freya.” That final track — arguably the most iconic song in The Sword’s history — felt like a ceremonial closing of the circle. It brought the house down.
Comeback announcements can feel like gimmicks — sometimes. But The Sword’s return felt earned, focused, and, above all, inspired. Whether this marks a full return to regular touring or just a limited revival, one thing is clear:
The Sword still rules.
Setlist:
1. How Heavy This Axe
2. Cloak of Feathers
3. Empty Temples
4. High Country
5. Sea of Green
6. Space Oddity (David Bowie cover)
Warp Riders
7. Acheron / Unearthing the Orb
8. Tres Brujas
9. Arrows in the Dark
10. The Chronomancer I: Hubris
11. Lawless Lands
12. Astraea’s Dream
13. The Warp Riders
14. Night City
15. The Chronomancer II: Nemesis
16. (The Night the Sky Cried) Tears of Fire
Encore
17. Farstar
18. Daughter of Dawn
19. Freya
Categories: Concert Photography, Music, Reviews, the sword
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