Hail Swordbrothers and Shieldmaidens!!!

It's been a while since we last posted any news. Many things have been going on since the release of the album that have kept us busy, mostly promotion, distribution deals and -of course- rehearsals to get the 3-man line up back in shape (of course working 80+ hours per week on our day jobs doesn't help either)! So we felt a little update is in order, here goes...

First and foremost a HUGE THANKS from the bottom of our hearts to all the wonderful brothers and sisters who have been placing orders and sending us e-mails and messages every single day since the release of the album!!! We can't even begin to describe how happy it makes us that so many people seem to experience the same feelings listening to the album, that we feel playing the songs! The same kind of battle-hardened exileration that we ourselves seek when listening to our favorite bands! Being mentioned in the same sentence with GODS like Cirith Ungol, Helstar or Cauldron Born is the greatest honor we could ever hope for. We are not of course implying that we have reached such heights (or that we will ever manage to), but all these words of encouragement make us work ten times as hard in order to offer you even bigger and better things in the future!

The first "official" reviews have also started popping up, and it's pretty much been a "love or hate" relationship with critics so far! Some are really into the genre, sound and vibe and have been giving us really favorable remarks, while others can't stand the screams and "old school-ness" and have been giving us the axe! Everyone has of course their valid points and opinions, but on our behalf we can promise even more screams, bloody riffs and pounding drums, louder, heavier, more technical and more barbaric than before, because that's what we have in our hearts. We know it's not easy listening, and it sure as hell ain't for everyone, we know that it's not perfect, but we're sure as hell working hard on getting it there. However what it is, is music from 3 metal maniacs that live to hear the blood curling screams of Skullview, the molten riffs of Omen, and the lyrical opuses of Heir Apparent, and hundreds more bands like these! Whatever you have, or will listen to from this band, will always carry the spirit of battle and the angry roars of demons. Of that you can be sure!!!

Here's part of a review from Metal Invader, Greece, many thanks to our brother Chris Papadakis:

"Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Omen and old Manowar are the main influences of the band that delivers its Epic Metal in a dark, obscure, meanwhile powerful way. The record is filled with a strange and magical atmosphere that takes the listener back into the pantheon of Epic Metal. It is more than a fact that Solitary Sabred have spent half their lives listening to albums like Into Glory Ride, King Of The Dead and Battle Cry trying to capture the magic. Through darkness comes the fire and blood my friends… this is the main spirit of this album… like the classic ones. Hymns like Slayer’s Oath, Hammers Of Ulric, Solitary Sabred and Trojan Hero are the fire and the blood of this album. Songs that will take you by storm… but do not expect happy melodies and tales about trolls and hobbits in here… only the Bloodlust of Battle and the Power of Fire and Steel in the days of high adventure. Epic Metal my friends, seriously...

...Enough written. Grab this opus now with NO second thought."

-Chris Papadakis, Metal Invader, Greece, read the full review here : http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-5820.html

The Spanish site Metal Final has included the album in their top list for 2009 : http://metalfinal.blogspot.com/2009/02/wizard-thor-grave-digger-ballads-of.html

On a final note, apart from rehearsing we have also composed some new material, two of the songs we played in our summer gigs ("Redeemer" and "Disciples of the Sword") as well as a couple of fresh ones we can't wait to try out live soon! We have also (finally!) launched the official website @ www.solitarysabred.com , where apart from the latest news we will also be posting articles regarding the lyrics and other band related stuff, so check it out!!!

So we bid farewell to those of you that had the patience to read thus far (and those that scrolled straight to the bottom), with another big THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!! Like we said on many an occasion, you gave us wings to fly, and the flight has only just begun!!!

THE BLOODLUST IS SACRED, SOLITARY SABRED
AXES, HONOR & HEAVY METAL MIGHT!!!

-Petros, Jimmys, Achilleas-