DoomSword are an Italian Heavy Metal band hailing from the foothills of the Alps in Varese, Lombardy. The nucleus of the band was formed in 1996, when Deathmaster and Guardian Angel joined forces to create an ancient music project, called 1014 AD. The project was entirely acoustic, and the style was very influenced by medieval music. After a short hiatus the duo re-arranged the existing material into proper metal songs in the way of Warlord, Cirith Ungol, Candlemass, Medieval Steel, etc., maintaining a strong medieval influence but adding a heavy epic vein. The project changed name to DoomSword, and the first demo, called 'Sacred Metal ', was recorded in 1997. Guardian Angel took care of guitars and drums, Deathmaster of vocals and guitars, and a session bass player was recruited to record the 5 tracks comprised on the demo. The band received a good response from critics and fans, and in 1998 Italian label Underground Symphony signed DoomSword for the release of an album. Bass player Dark Omen and singer Gabriele "Nightcomer" Grilli were recruited for the recording of the first album. The homonymous debut album was released in 1999.

MY NAME WILL LIVE ON (2007) DRAGONHEART

'My Name Will Live On' is DoomSword's 4th album. It was a highly anticipated album, as it had been 4 years since their last one. A change in the line-up had also happened, as Guardian Angel II (guitars) and Dark Omen (bass) were replaced by Sacred Heart and Geilt.

I was first made aware of DoomSword when 'My Name Will Live On' received a 6/6 point review in Scream Magazine. The author of the review is someone who has turned me onto many obscure metal bands over the years, so I tend to trust his tastes. I must confess that getting into this band was a little harder than first expected. Their brand of epic heavy metal is not for everyone, but for those who worship at the altar of bands such as Warlord, Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol, DoomSword is like a dream come true.

After several spins though, it was obvious that this is unpretentious, straight from the heart, heavy metal played with total conviction. Epic metal has a tendency to become very bombastic, whereas DoomSword's music is more down to earth. Mind you, this is still 100% sword swinging battle metal. It's just not done in a cheesy manner. The songwriting is phenomenal. Even though the songs don't vary much in tempo or style, each composition still has it's own identity. The instrumentation here is also out of this world. I can sit for hours just listening to the drumming here! And don't get me started on the guitar work. I have not heard the bands prior efforts, but Sacred Heart must have been a lift to the bands music. Talk about playing what is right for the music, and not some show-off wankery! I guess the only factor that might turn people off from DoomSword is the vocals. As with so many other underground epic metal bands, the vocals are admittedly an acquired taste. Then again, if you're already a fan of the genre, then you are most likely used to similar vocalists, like Mark Shelton (Manilla Road) or perhaps even tolerant of Vidonne Sayre-Riemenschneider (Lordian Guard). Then you'll appreciate Deathmasters desperate tone, as he sings every note with utter honesty.

Listening to DoomSword's music is almost like listening to one of those audiobooks. I can vividly see before my inner eyes the scenery from where Deathmaster and the guys paint a musical painting. And if that is not the ultimate goal scored when it comes to this kind of music, then I know nothing. 'My Name Will On' is without a doubt one of the better albums in it's category.

Killer tracks: They are all good.