Posted on: December 10, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Dynamic, Austin, TX based quartet THE SWORD and respected Swedish rock band WITCHCRAFT have teamed up to issue a very special, limited edition 12″ LP / EP. Simply titled THE SWORD / WITCHCRAFT Split 12″, the vinyl-only release is available via diverse NYC label Kemado Records and is in stores now.

Inarguably two of the most exciting new bands to have formed in the last decade, THE SWORD and WITCHCRAFT are both well known for their unique reinventions of vintage proto-metal and hard rock. On this split 12″ release, THE SWORD contribute the brand new track “Sea of Spears” and a cover of one of Led Zeppelin’s finest and heaviest cuts, “Immigrant Song” (from Led Zeppelin III), while WITCHCRAFT deliver a never-before-available version of “You Bury Your Head” (once available on 2002’s long-since sold out No Angel or Demon 7”) and re-recorded, unreleased versions of the songs “Queen Of Bees” and “Sorrow Evoker” (both originally released on the band’s 2005 album Firewood).

The striking, eerie artwork for THE SWORD / WITCHCRAFT Split 12″ has been posted online and can be viewed at this location. The EP is strictly limited to a pressing of 2500 copies and is available in a variety of colors, including 1000 on (dark) purple, 1000 on (dark) green and 500 on (dark) black.

WITCHCRAFT is currently in the midst of a sold out U.S. tour in support of its critically acclaimed new album The Alchemist. THE SWORD is in the studio now, putting the finishing touches on its highly-anticipated sophomore full length, set to drop in early 2008 via Kemado. THE SWORD will launch a pre-release U.S. headlining tour on November 30 that will see the critically acclaimed metal band perform many of the brand new songs that will comprise the bulk of its new album.

THE SWORD and WITCHCRAFT are available to speak with interested media now. To chat with one / both of the bands / attend a live performance, simply contact ACTION! PR via any of the means listed below. Updated THE SWORD news and tour information will be made available via the Kemado Records website: www.kemado.com, THE SWORD web domains: www.swordofdoom.com and www.myspace.com/thesword, the ACTION! website: www.action-pr.com. Updated WITCHCRAFT news and tour information will be made available via the WITCHCRAFT web domains: www.myspace.com/witchcraftswe and www.witchcrafthome.com, the Rise Above Records website: www.riseaboverecords.com and the ACTION! website: www.action-pr.com.

* What the media is saying about THE SWORD:

“You know how Indians used to hunt buffalo by forcing them off a cliff, and they’d fall to the rocks? That’s kind of what they sound like…like a bunch of bison being pushed over a cliff.” – SPIN

“Drawing heavily on influences like Sabbath and Led Zeppelin…The Sword have attracted scads of critical praise for their raw, punishing sound.” – MTV NEWS

“THE SWORD believe in loud the way it used to be” – ROLLING STONE

“the band has a distinct way with wild-eyed melodies, and their tempos hum rather than crawl…sludgy, abrasive guitars and wailed vocals familiar as church bells” – BLENDER

“THE SWORD means retro-metal business.” – THE NEW YORK TIMES

* What the media is saying about WITCHCRAFT:

“A young Swedish doom-metal outfit with distinctly ’70s overtones, Witchcraft makes the riff and the drone paramount” – THE NEW YORK TIMES

“We’re big fans of smoking, psychedelic Swedish post-Pentagram doom crew Witchcraft’s new album “The Alchemist”, especially the 15-minute title track. Epic! Definitely one of 2007’s best.” – STEREOGUM

“Spellbinding” – METRO NEW YORK

“honest to goodness metal, and it’s awesome. Highly recommended.” – MUSIC FOR ROBOTS

“Look out for Sweden’s WITCHCRAFT, whose hook-filled psych-rock makes you feel like you’re chilling with Matthew McConaughey in ‘Dazed and Confused'” – TIME OUT NEW YORK

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