The Sword is an American heavy metal band that formed in Austin, Texas, in 2003. Since its inception the band has comprised vocalist and guitarist John D. "J. D." Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt and bassist Bryan Richie, and since October 2011 has included drummer Santiago "Jimmy" Vela III. Currently signed to New York-based independent label Razor & Tie, the group released debut album Age of Winters in 2006 which was largely written by Cronise prior to the band's formation. The band's second album, Gods of the Earth, was released two years later and gave the group its first Billboard 200 chart entry. Warp Riders, a concept album centered on an original science fiction narrative, was released in August 2010.
After writing and recording music on his own for "a few years", singer and guitarist J. D. Cronise formed The Sword in 2003 with guitarist Kyle Shutt and drummer Trivett Wingo; bassist Bryan Richie joined later in 2004. Cronise and Wingo had been in a band called Ultimate Dragons, based in Richmond, Virginia, while Shutt and Richie had been performing in Texas bands "united by a love of Led Zeppelin" Cronise had also performed with a local band called Those Peabodys, but left as he felt he "needed to do something heavier." After their first live performance together on March 18, 2004, the band released an eponymous demo, The Sword, which was followed the next year by an extended play (EP) entitled Freya. After performing at the 2005 South by Southwest festival, the band was signed by New York-based record label Kemado Records;
Shabazz the Disciple or Scientific Shabazz, is a rapper from the Red Hook Houses of Red Hook, Brooklyn. He is an original member of the Sunz of Man and Da Last Future.
Shabazz is possibly best known for his guest appearance on the 1994 Gravediggaz hit single "Diary of a Madman," and for his controversial 1995 single "Death be the Penalty." He formed the duo the Disciples with Killah Priest, and later formed Celestial Souljahz with Freestyle of the Arsonists.
Shabazz released a handful of singles in the mid-90s, such as "Death be the Penalty", "Crime Saga", "The Lamb's Blood" and "Street Parables", in anticipation of his planned 1998 debut LP on GZA's GZA Entertainment imprint. However, the label folded and his relationship with the Clan soon strained, leading him to cut his Wu-affiliated ties. He is also known for being an influence on the late Big Pun.
Shabazz finally released his debut album, The Book of Shabazz (Hidden Scrollz), in 2003, featuring his past singles "The Lamb's Blood," "Crime Saga," "Street Parables," and "Organized Rime Part 2," as well as the single "Red Hook Day" b/w "Thieves in da Nite (Heist)." In 2008, Shabazz formed the group T.H.U.G. Angels with fellow Sunz of Man member Hell Razah and producer Ayatollah. The group's debut, Welcome to Red Hook Houses, was released July 8, 2008, on Babygrande Records.
This sword of steel that I hold in my hand
Ore of this mountain.A sword of his land
Made for the king when the elders were young
Tu guard us and to guide us in an age since long gone
A sword to protect the peace in troubled times
A sword made to battle and to take a life
This sword is a backbone of the life that I know
Here among mountains and snow
This sword will be one with me.Body and soul
All of me will delivering each blow
Sting on my back.Oh,its power I feel
I can hardly wait to try its steel
A sword to protect the peace in troubled times
A sword made to battle and to take a life
This sword is a backbone of the life that I know
Here among mountains and snow
Behold its sharp beauty.Just look at its shine
This sword was forget in fire and ice
This sword is a backbone of the life that I know
Here among mountains and snow
Now I am redy
There comes the sword
Which will cause your deepest wound
But don't be afraid
'Cause pain will give you strengh
The darkness will set you free
From the emptiness that you fear
CHORUS
Don't you ignore what your eyes can't see
You will find out that you're strong enough to face
your fears
The blade will hurt
But it can't bring you down to the floor
Your fate is in your hands
You must fight for your beliefs
The darkness will set you free
From the emptiness that you fear
CHORUS
Don't you ignore what your eyes can't see
There is much more in life for you to learn and feel
In the air you breathe, the love you seek
There's all life's beauty
You will find out that you're strong enough to face
your fears
You shouldn't forget what words can't say
A choice to make
A narrow road and no easy answers
Make a stand today
Small is the gate and hardship's what you'll face
Do you see what i've become
Or would you stop what i've begun
If your scorn is my gain then get out of my way
And i'll see you on the road
If i have the strength for this
Will i be the one to stand alone?
And if i can overcome
Will i be the better man for it?
This is the sword that divides us all
Make one wrong move and watch me fall
The burden of the choices made
How high the price
Never thought you'd pay
These wounds run deep, see
The fears as they creep
Now left alone
Abandoned and cold
Deserted, defeated
For the things that you believe in
If they turned their back to you
If they all just turned away from you
All from those who you thought you knew