| "High Country" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Sword | ||||
| from the album High Country | ||||
| Released | July 20, 2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:37 | |||
| Label | Razor & Tie | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Adrian Quesada | |||
| The Sword singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"High Country" is a song by American heavy metal band The Sword. Written by the band and produced by Adrian Quesada, it is the title track to the band's 2015 fifth studio album High Country . It was released as the first single from the album on July 20, 2015.
According to MetalSucks writer Axl Rosenberg, "High Country" is stylistically different from much of the band's previously released material, marking a departure from the comparisons with Black Sabbath for which the band had been known. [1] Rosenberg described the song as "totally retro" and proposed that it was "designed for use with marijuana". [1]
"High Country" was first made available for streaming on the band's website on July 1, 2015, when the title, release date and artwork of the album were first revealed. [2] On July 20, the song was released as the first single from the album, as a limited edition 7" vinyl backed with previously unreleased B-side "Hexenringe". [3] [4] The single was made available at a number of independent record shops across the United States in a run of 1,000 copies, and came with a coupon providing $2 off the album. [3] [4]
In their review of High Country, Blabbermouth.net praised the title track as a highlight of the album, commending the performances of all four band members in descriptions of the "munching riffs" and "melodic rhythms". [5] Rosenberg of MetalSucks also praised the song, described it as "totally groovy". [1] Robert Pasbani of Metal Injection praised it as "good old fashioned rock n roll with a stoner tinge". [6]
Enslaved is a Norwegian extreme metal band formed by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson in Haugesund in June 1991. They are currently based in Bergen, Norway. Though the band's lineup has changed many times over the years, Bjørnson and Kjellson have been the sole constant members, and the lineup remained the same from 2004 to 2016. Following their 25th anniversary world tour, keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Herbrand Larsen departed from the band after 12 years and six albums. He has since been replaced by Håkon Vinje.
The Sword is an American heavy metal band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 2003, the band is currently composed of vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Santiago "Jimmy" Vela III. Originally signed to Kemado Records, the group released its debut album Age of Winters in 2006, the material for which had been largely written by Cronise prior to the band's formation. Gods of the Earth was released two years later, giving the group its first entry on the US Billboard 200 chart when it reached number 102.
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