Sword Toward Self profile picture

Sword Toward Self

Dissolution Mantras EP out now

About Me


"[P]romising to be a very important Australian death metal band... earthy and real, but at the same time sophisticated and tight... not just clever for the hell of it." - Zero Tolerance Magazine
"Yet another unsigned gem deserving of a record deal... just tons of promise... demonstrates a grasp of both recognized death/black metal dynamics and enough adventurous injections to make it break from the pack. It features the stunning solo work of Phil Brown which litters each song with breathtaking arpeggios and classically tinted fret work... absolutely worth any label’s investment." - www.metalreview.com
"This is real musicianship inside the context of brutality and extremes!" - Neo-Zine
" ... bursting out of the gates in brutal fashion with riff gymnastics and sublime bass work all backed by furious drumming ... Dissolution Mantras is a display of brutal Aussie metal that should not be missed ... 8/10 " - The Metal Forge
"[T]hey flawlessly tear through complex music... The technicality is masterful and yet the songwriting... is still concise. SWORD TOWARD SELF has a future ahead of them when they release a debut EP that is this damn good... 9.5/10" - www.metal-observer.com
"... you'll be in aural bliss. Highly worthy of investigation ..." - www.pyromusic.net
"...a rather seamless mix of progressive death metal, Florida style death metal, melodic death metal, black metal... 4/5" - www.waytooloud.com
"[A]n imposing debut release." - www.blackbellereviews.tk
"Sword Toward Self is definitely progressive, yet does not sacrifice heaviness in the least... There's so much going on here that multiple spins will reward the listener, yet the songs are immediately enjoyable... Recommended." - www.vorfeed.net
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Formed in Sydney, Australia, in 2006, Sword Toward Self perform neoclassical extreme metal built on a foundation of death, black and thrash metal influences. Complimenting this are elements more introspective and dynamic than might be expected of most metal bands, combined with a lyrical approach that is articulate and philosophical. The result is as challenging and unapologetically artistic as it is punishing, reaching toward a powerful vision of the future of metal from the tap root of its history.
EPs available for A$8 within Australia / US$10 Rest of world. T-Shirts available for A$25 within Australia / US$30 Rest of world (these prices include postage. EPS are A$5 and t-shirts are A$20 at our gigs). Pay via Paypal - dnahum[AT]optusnet.com.au (replace the [AT] with @ !)

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/30/2006
Band Website: swordtowardself.com
Band Members: Phil Brown - Guitars & Vocals

Dan Nahum - Drums

Henry Lauer - Six String Bass
Influences: Death
Emperor
Pestilence
Dissection
Axis of Advance
Agalloch
Meshuggah
Jason Becker
Suffocation
Exodus
Sounds Like: Neoclassical death metal
Record Label: looking!
Type of Label: None

My Blog

STS featured in Zero Tolerance Issue 22

Zero Tolerance Magazine have featured us in issue 22 - that’s the one with Meshuggah on the cover. There’s also a track of ours ("Iridescent Wings...") included on one of the two(!) coverm...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:10:00 PST

Sword Toward Self featured in Blackdeath Fanzine!

Also featuring Immortal, Shackles and The Veil. Available now for a mere $4 at Red Eye and Utopia. Thanks to Fabian for the killer interview questions.
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:54:00 PST

EP stockists

Here's a list of the shops and mail-order distros that currently stock Dissolution Mantras:Red Eye Records, SydneyUtopia Records, SydneyRaven Clothing, Canberra (they also have shirts)www.thecavedistr...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:34:00 PST

Vote for STS!

The good folks at www.pyromusic.net have put up a poll so people can vote for the best Australian metal release of 2007. If you think Dissolution Mantras is up there, please register your support! Pas...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:25:00 PST

*Dissolution Mantras* EP now in stock at Red Eye!

Enough said.
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:59:00 PST

Black Belle Webzine interview!

Contents (c) Black Belle Webzine, www.blackbelle.tk. Reproduced with kind permission.-----Sword Toward Self are a 3 piece death/black outfit from Sydney.Talented driven and one of the best bands to hi...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:25:00 PST

*Dissolution Mantras* EP now available!

Greetings,Our EP is out now! It looks and sounds great - in our somewhat biased opinion.Australian customers: -You can buy it for $5AU at performances, or send $8AU (cheque/money order/cash - send us ...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:19:00 PST

The EP launch that wasn’t

As many of you know, Phil underwent emergency surgery involving the removal of bone from his head on Thursday 4 October. Our EP launch was booked for 5 October. Enough said.We want to thank everyone w...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Sun, 07 Oct 2007 06:22:00 PST

Advancing forth: Iridescent Wings of the Ungods!

Greetings friends, So by now you'd be well aware that we have a track up here. There is more mixing to go but we figured that given that ShitSpace was going to compromise the sound quality somewhat an...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:10:00 PST

Another show and a bit of a delay

We're playing another show on Sunday the 24th of June at the Sandringham in Newtown. We hope to see you all there with fists raised! The EP release and shirts will be delayed until the mix a...
Posted by Sword Toward Self on Sat, 09 Jun 2007 01:43:00 PST