After four years since the announcement of their hiatus, The Sword have unfortunately, officially called it a day. Frontman John D. Cronise issued the following statement via the Texas metal outfit’s Instagram:
“Hello friends, I find it my duty to inform you that, after much contemplation, I have reached the difficult conclusion that it’s time to bring The Sword’s long and storied career to a close. When I started the band back in 2004, I could’ve only hoped for the successes we’ve enjoyed, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to do it for a living for almost two decades. In that time everything I ever wanted to say and do with The Sword creatively has been said and done, and so the time has come for me to move on to other endeavors.Thanks to everyone who’s ever come to a show, bought our albums and merch, and supported us over the years. Thanks to everyone who’s teched, tour managed, done sound, or sold merch for us. Thanks to all the bands who’ve taken us on tour and to all the bands we’ve taken on tour. Thanks to the promotors and venues who booked us and let us play. Thanks to the producers and recording engineers who worked on our albums and to the labels that released them. Thanks to Josh our booking agent and Mark our business manager, whom we are glad to count as friends. And most of all thanks to my bandmates, Kyle, Bryan, Jimmy, and Trivett, for having faith in me and allowing me to realize my vision. You dudes are true legends. It’s been a helluva journey. Now it’s time for the next chapter…”
Since their 2018 hiatus announcement, The Sword had a few hints on a hopeful return as they were scheduled to join Primus on the road in 2020 before the covid-19 pandemic put that on hold. The group released two career-spanning compilations in 2020, Chronology: 2006-2018 and Conquest Of Kingdoms, and utilized the pandemic to connect with their fans by launching Conquest of Quarantine lockdown sessions. Despite the efforts and signals of a comeback, it sadly didn’t hold up, leaving 2018’s Used Future as their final full-length offering together.
Coincidentally, the news was announced just around the tenth anniversary of their fourth album, Apocryphon, a personal favorite. The Sword will definitely be missed.
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