Saturday night began like a call from the cosmos as the crowd at Mr. Smalls roared to life, thrilled at the chance to see The Sword back in action after their 2022 disbandment. Reunited and sharper than ever, the Texas heavy rock veterans returned to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of Warp Riders, an album that remains one of the defining works in stoner and doom metal. The Pittsburgh stop was completely sold out, every inch of Mr. Smalls packed with fans ready to be taken on a cosmic journey through one of the most iconic modern metal albums.
Moon Destroys kicked off the night with an explosive set. They blended crushing riffs with psychedelic grooves, pulling the crowd into a trance that was equal parts mystical and heavy. Their chemistry was undeniable, switching between soaring leads and bone-rattling low end with effortless precision. Their cosmic edge and experimental flair were a fitting introduction for a night built on exploring the outer reaches of sound.
Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol kept the momentum alive with their signature fuzzed-out chaos and undeniable charm. The trio delivered a high-octane set that balanced doom riffs with quirky humor and unshakable groove, turning Mr. Smalls into one giant headbanging party. Leo Lydon on vocals and 8-string guitar commanded the stage with raw, crunchy tone, peeling off riff after riff with effortless confidence. Bassist Aaron Metzdorf was an unstoppable force, darting all over the stage with wild energy, his deep, fuzzy basslines shaking the floor and feeding the crowd’s excitement. Drummer Sean St. Germain held it all together with precision and punch, his tight rhythms giving the music its relentless drive. Their stage presence was a mix of swagger, humor, and pure joy, with thunderous low-end grooves rattling through the venue as fans laughed, shouted, and raised their drinks in approval.
When The Sword finally stepped into the spotlight, the crowd erupted with a roar that shook the walls. They wasted no time, diving straight into “Empty Temples,” their sound as massive and focused as ever. Frontman and guitarist J.D. Cronise stood center stage, his voice as rich and commanding as ever, guiding each song with that signature mix of grit and melody that defined their sound. Guitarist Kyle Shutt matched him with blistering solos and a steady grin, his energy radiating through every note as he shredded his way across the fretboard. Bassist Bryan Richie anchored the low end with thunderous precision, his tone rumbling through the room and filling every corner with depth and weight. Drummer Santiago ‘Jimmy’ Vela was the heartbeat of it all, driving the band forward with unstoppable energy and technical finesse, his fills perfectly punctuating every rise and fall in the music. Together, they played with the ease and chemistry of a band reborn, their return not just nostalgic but electric, each moment onstage a reminder of why The Sword’s heavy grooves and cosmic storytelling have stood the test of time. Early in the set, among their iconic hits, the band brought out their cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity, reimagined in their signature sludgy tone that somehow made the classic feel even more cosmic.
From there, the band launched into Warp Riders in its entirety, playing the album front to back with an intensity that made it feel like the first time all over again. Each track flowed into the next, telling its galactic tale of adventure and mystery as the lights swirled in deep blues and greens across the stage. “Tres Brujas” and “Lawless Lands” hit the hardest, the crowd singing along as if they had all grown up on that same desert planet the album paints in sound. Every note felt deliberate, every solo drenched in nostalgia and power. The Sword may have taken time away, but they returned sharper and hungrier than ever.
The Sword closed out the night with a triple strike of songs that left the audience both exhausted and elated. “Farstar” blasted through the speakers first, its groove-heavy pulse prepping the stage for a final run of glory. “Daughter of Dawn” followed, its sweeping melodies rising like a final call to arms. The night ended with “Winter’s Wolves,” a track that’s as iconic as the band itself, its crushing riffs echoing through the venue long after the last note faded. As the crowd cheered and the lights came up, there was no denying that The Sword had once again proven their place among the modern legends of metal, reclaiming their throne one heavy riff at a time.
October 18th, 2025
