Bummer: The Sword Call It Quits
The world just lost an irreplaceable stoner metal band, as The Sword took to their social media accounts to announce they were putting an end to the band after 18 years.
Though he didn’t offer a direct explanation as to why the band came to their conclusion to hang it up, frontman John D. Cronise spent most of the time thanking the fans, bandmembers, and anyone that ever supported their career over the years. You can read the statement below.
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…
— John D. Cronise
Aside from a couple compilations and live recordings of COVID lockdown performances, The Sword hadn’t released a new album since Used Future in 2018. Coincidentally, that was the same year the band went on a hiatus because concert attendance at their shows had begun to decline steadily.
We’re extremely bummed to hear that such a killer band is no longer going to be putting out new music or touring again. The Sword put out some killer tunes over the years and we’ll always be able to go back to those, but we wish nothing but the best for Cronise, Kyle Shutt, Bryan Richie, and Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III.
