THE SWORD and RED FANG BRING THE DOOM to House of Blues LV with guests SPOON BENDERS

Aug 19
2 min read

THE SWORD and co-headliners RED FANG brought the doom and stoner gloom to Las Vegas and the House of Blues for a sludge stoner metal night like no other with support from SPOON BENDERS.

Spoon Benders psychedelic punk grungy groove started off the night, vocalist and founder Katy Black slinging the bass around and belting to "Cut Behind" from the Oregon based band's 2023 release How Things Repeat. The set was a bit of Repeat and several songs that are in line to make up a new record later this year. There is def grunge and sludge, but with the newer "Aphid" and "Hurlant" a more solid prog edge. The power trio also features guitarist Leo Pastor, who brings a retro feel to the outfit, and Mike Amster (Nebula), a heavy hitter on drums. More on the band and upcoming music HERE.

https://youtu.be/g-XFAB9zmls?si=p-4Deyc_-eD0eaDZ

RED FANG blasted the crowd with a most metal set for the night, power and punch from the Oregon based band who has been a staple on the sludge metal scene for a couple decades.The band released Deep Cuts in 2025, and record of non-album tracks, singles, B-Sides, rarities and more (Relapse Records) to celebrate their 20th anniversary, and the subsequent tour set gives us tracks from all 5 albums and a few of these rarities, kicking off their heavy set with a high energy "Blood Like Cream". The band still has the OG lineup of Aaron Beam on bass and vocals, Bryan Giles and David Sullivan on guitar, and John Sherman on drums, and is killing it on this tour. Check out the record and more HERE

RED FANG "It's Always There" from Deep Cuts....

https://youtu.be/fCz_JhIu71c?si=z4NwDXifIMlDqXZg

Texas groove and doom metalers The Sword brought a roar as they hit the HOB stage - they are back - after an official disband in 2022, they are back with shows in the last few years and hints of new music. "Celestial Crown" set the opening tone, and the long set gave us a swath of all 6 albums, with a most memorable "Freya" and "How Heavy This Axe".

For vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise and the band - guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie, and drummer Santiago Vela, this is a permanent comeback, and they celebrated the anniversary of the bands Warp Riders last year with a tour and a 15th year Anniversary edition of the album. Rumor is they are now at work on a seventh album, and more touring this fall. Keep up with the news and tour dates HERE.