Conquest of Kingdoms

One of two career-spanning compilations to be released by the stalwart Texas metallers in 2020 -- the other is the even larger Chronology 2006-2018 -- Conquest of Kingdoms delivers a well-curated, fan-centric set of concert recordings and non-album/previously unreleased songs. The 30-track collection commences with four live cuts, The Horned Goddess, Baraels Blade, Lament for the Aurochs, and Iron Swan, recorded in 2005 at Austins legendary Emos. Not too far removed from the studio versions that would appear on the acclaimed Age of Winters the following year, its cool to hear Kyle Shutts and John J.D. Cronises dovetailing guitar work in a live setting at the peak of their most Sabbath-leaning period. The live recordings roll out sequentially, with a 2007 performance at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC showcasing material from the thrashy, NWOBHM-influenced Gods of the Earth, and a 2011 Stubbs BBQ gig leans hard into the metaphysical space rock emissions of 2012s Apocryphon. The remaining B-sides and rarities feature some choice covers, including takes on Pentagrams Forever My Queen, fellow Texans ZZ Tops Cheap Sunglasses, Thin Lizzys Cold Sweat, and Kiss She, the latter of which apparently needed more cowbell. Outtakes from later efforts High Country (Hexenringe) and Used Future (Serpent Weather) reflect the Swords pivot from straight-up doom-casters to bluesy hard rockers, and a colossal 2008 version of fan-favorite Freya adds the sonic heft that the original 2006 recording implied but couldnt yet reach. All 26 of these tracks also appear on Chronology 2006-2018, which adds 26 hand-picked studio cuts to the mix, making it a better option for newcomers looking to take in a widescreen view of the bands output over the years, but for hardcore Sword enthusiasts, Conquest of Kingdoms inarguably satisfies. ~ James Christopher Monger