Canada’s The Metal Voice interviewed fellow Canadian band Sword at ‘The House of Rock’.

In the interview the band talks about the making of their new album SWORD III,  recalls stories about touring with Motorhead in the 80’s and how Metallica’s Lars Ulrich became a fan of the band and brought them on tour.

Singer Rick Hughes explains the Metallica story, “Kerrang magazine editor was doing an interview with Lars Ulrich (around 1986) and he (editor) had his Walkman at the time (with the cassette). Just before he (editor) left the interview, Lars asked him what are you listening to, I’m curious to know what’s in your Walkman? Oh it’s a band from Montreal (Sword) and he gave him (Lars) the tape.” Off camera Rick Hughes explained the story a bit more. ” Lars took the tape and not too long after we got a call from Metallica’s management to open for the band in Canada on the Master of Puppets tour in 1986. Lars told me this Kerrang story backstage, in his dressing room on the first night of the Sword / Metallica tour.”

Canada’s Sword consists of the classic line-up of lead vocalist Rick Hughes, drummer Dan Hughes, guitarist Mike Plant and bassist Mike Larock. They will be releasing their third studio album III via Massacre Records on November 25, 2022.

After years of silence, the guys from SWORD never thought that a box of demos and company rejects from the late 80’s would light a fire under their asses, hot enough to want to revisit this (new old stock) in order to actualize it with the vengeance it deserved. 

Originally formed in 1980, the band has since released two well-received studio albums, and got the chance to open for bands such as Metallica, Alice Cooper, Motörhead in the past, among others.⁣ 

Sword will go on tour in Canada in 2023 – get your ticket here » https://www.evenko.ca/en/search/Sword

Jan. 14, 2023 Montreal – Théâtre Corona – https://fb.me/e/2lemgL8mN
Jan. 15, 2023 Quebec – Impérial Bell – https://fb.me/e/2YRonbJYy
Jan. 20, 2023 Alma – Boîte à Bleuets – https://fb.me/e/1Vh1hvlQ2
Jan. 21, 2023 Trois-Rivières – Amphithéâtre Cogeco – https://fb.me/e/2kJ8qIQYZ

Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon from The Metal Voice spoke to lead singer Rick Hughes of Canada’s  SWORD.  Hughes  spoke about the timeline of the upcoming Sword studio album release timeline and also spoke about opening for Metallica on the Master of Puppets tour and how Metallica were big fans of the band.

About the new Sword Album studio album Hughes said, ” First and foremost I want to apologize to the fans that have waited a very very long time. Listen you have waited 30 years for this the album it is ready, it’s been ready for two years. We were supposed to release it before, in 2020. When March 2020 happened we had a band meeting and we said let’s wait (until pandemic is over). Now we are almost ready, I have the date, they didn’t (record label) give me the ok to announce yet but it’s coming out this year. I won’t tell you the date but I will tell you this it will be Fall 2022. The album is incredible from beginning to end everything about this album is good.”

On Nov 24 2021 the band announced on their Facebook page the new Sword album will be released on Massacre Records.

Canadian  Sword released their first new single “In Kommand”, off the new album  exclusively on Bandcamp. “In Kommand” features the band’s classic lineup, including vocalist Rick Hughes, guitarist Mike Plant, bassist Mike LaRock, and drummer Dan Hughes. Sword’s first new song in over 30 years, with a long-awaited third studio album to follow.