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Until now, there has been one true love for The Sword: Black Sabbath. Seriously Mysterious, for one, glories in the kind of adorably daft supernatural lyrics that come with such Iommi-worship: ‘Beware those gypsy witches’, they warn. ‘They are not what they seem.’ Before going on to detail a scenario that’s exactly what it seems. Brilliant.

But this time around they’ve mixed things up, Ghost Eye bringing in the spirit of Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top riffs peppering the record, and folky instrumental Silver Petals pretty much building a wicker man as it goes. A 70s classic rock party, then, but one with a few new guests.

Classic Rock 214: New albums M-Z

Emma has been writing about music for 25 years, and is a regular contributor to Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Prog and Louder. During that time her words have also appeared in publications including Kerrang!, Melody Maker, Select, The Blues Magazine and many more. She is also a professional pedant and grammar nerd and has worked as a copy editor on everything from film titles through to high-end property magazines. In her spare time, when not at gigs, you’ll find her at her local stables hanging out with a bunch of extremely characterful horses.

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The Sword: High Country

All change for the Texan stoner riff lords.