Words & Photos by Matt Maenpaa
Veteran doomsayers The Sword closed out a month-long tour in Denver on August 28, joined by heavy hitters Red Fang and Portland grunge punk act Spoon Benders. Fans packed Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO, in droves, a sea of battlejackets ready to bang heads and soak in the sonic assault.
Wasting no time, Spoon Benders kicked off the night with energy one hopes for from the first act of a metal show. The trio was locked in, bringing some hints of Primus, Fugazi and sludgy psychedelic sounds.
Heavy Metal stalwarts Red Fang took to the stage with a sense of camaraderie that carried over to the tight quartet. Meeting the roar of the house with fire of their own, Red Fang showed that the boys who built beercan armor in the “Prehistoric Dog” video only get more ferocious with age. This headbanger will definitely keep an eye out for their name on the bill anytime they come through town.
None of the three acts were much for stage banter, instead packing every minute with driving distorted riffs and heavy percussion. The crowd was mostly content to bang their heads to stoney clouds of doom, but a circle pit still managed to form during Red Fang and kept going during The Sword. It’s good to see younger fans trying to crowdsurf, to shake up a room full of middle-aged metalheads and remind them where we all came from.
The Sword’s set was one for the ages, a bevy of deep cuts from the early days. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Age of Winters,” the band opened with the album duo “Celestial Crown” and “Barael’s Blade.” From there they powered joyously and effortlessly through crowd-pleasers off each album. Some things only get better with age and The Sword makes a glorious claim to being the kings of doom.
The Sword
Red Fang
Spoon Benders
