I tend to be a picky listener and I don’t always like a band until I’ve heard them a few times. (Opeth and Coheed & Cambria come to mind.) But from the instant I sat down with The Sword’s latest, I was hooked. The riffs, my God, the riffs! These guys come out of the gate swinging their vorpal blades hard. And AGE OF WINTERS combines terrific songs (no weak ones in the litter) with clear, heavy production.

Extra credit for the Scandinavian myth-inspired lyrics and the Art Nouveau cover design. I strongly recommend this album. Get it; you absolutely won’t be sorry.