In somber words on social media last Thursday, founder, singer, and guitarist John D. Cronise said: “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.”
After launching in 2004, the Austin breakouts exploded onto the doom scene with 2006’s Age of Winters, ushering in a resurgence of retro-styled, Sabbath-laden sounds and sparking interest in stoner rock/metal that would shape heavy music for the next decade. The group’s latest iteration led by Croncise – who has relocated from Texas to North Carolina – included guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie, and drummer Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III. Croncise’s post added: “I consider myself lucky to have been able to do it for a living for almost two decades.”
The bandleader answered questions from the Chronicle via email regarding the end of the Sword and his high hopes for the future.
Austin Chronicle: How long have you been thinking of making this change?
John D. Cronise: In some ways I’ve been thinking about it for a few years now, but it didn’t seem like a decision that needed to be made until recently. We had just wrapped up touring for the year and were discussing the future, and I realized it was time.
AC: Was it difficult?
JDC: It was an extremely difficult realization to have, but it was also a relief to have made it. On the one hand, I love my bandmates and don’t want to put them through hardship or lose touch with them. Not to mention, [the Sword has] been my job since I quit I Luv Video seventeen or so years ago. That’s probably the scariest part.
But on the other hand, creatively, I’m very ready to move on. When the Sword started, I was in my late twenties, and now I’m in my mid-forties. My musical sensibilities are very different now than they were then. At some point I had to ask myself if the stuff I was writing was really the Sword material anymore, and the answer was no.
AC: What made now the right time for the announcement?
JDC: As I said, we recently finished touring and … I realized I couldn’t do another album. There didn’t seem to be any point in prolonging things unnecessarily. If there’s no new album, there’s not much point in continuing to tour because eventually the audience will get tired of buying tickets to hear the same songs over and over. Let’s face it: We’re not the freaking Eagles or somebody like that. And regardless, I wouldn’t want the Sword to become some kind of nostalgia act.
AC: Was everyone on the same page with the decision?
JDC: Everyone understood the reasons, but it was solely my decision. I started the Sword, and it was based on my creative vision. If I don’t have a vision for the band anymore, it can’t continue.
AC: What are your future plans, musically?
JDC: Good question! I have some solo material up on Bandcamp, and I’ll probably be working on more soon. I’d love to play guitar for someone else’s project, or produce, or do soundtrack stuff. Somebody has to ask me first, though!
AC: What are your future plans, personally? Are you still enjoying North Carolina?
JDC: I don’t have any big plans yet. Still trying to figure out what life after the Sword looks like. I’m still living in western North Carolina and currently have no plans to leave.
This article appears in October 21 • 2022.