The Sword is an American heavy metal band formed in 2003 in Austin, Texas by vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, and drummer Trivett Wingo. Bassist Bryan Richie joined in early 2004 to complete the core lineup. The band's debut album Age of Winters was released in 2006 on Kemado Records. Early in their career, The Sword was categorized as a doom metal band, citing Black Sabbath and Sleep as influences, though their style later shifted toward hard rock and stoner rock. The group achieved commercial success with subsequent releases, with their 2012 album Apocryphon debuting at number 17 on the Billboard 200. The Sword toured extensively with major acts including Metallica, Lamb of God, and Clutch, and headlined their own tours. The band disbanded in October 2022 when frontman Cronise announced the breakup via social media.