Used Future
The Sword · 2018
43 min · 13 tracks · heavy metal
A blend of traditional heavy metal with modern production, creating a rich tapestry of sound that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
Top tracks — play these first
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Deadly Nightshade — This track showcases the band's ability to merge catchy melodies with heavy riffs, encapsulating the album's theme of transformation and introspection.
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Sea of Green — With its progressive structure and atmospheric elements, this song highlights the band's exploration of new sounds while staying true to their roots.
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Used Future — The title track embodies the album’s overarching concept, blending lyrical depth with powerful instrumentation that leaves a lasting impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional heavy metal with modern elements, but lacks standout compositions and cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with an instrumental track that sets a tone of anticipation, followed by a series of songs that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
- The last three tracks gradually slow down in tempo, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the more energetic earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with resolution
- immersive cosmic journey experience
- reflective moments of introspection
- dynamic shifts in energy
- for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2018, 'Used Future' is The Sword's fifth studio album, following their 2015 project 'High Country'. At this point in their career, the band was exploring new sonic territories while maintaining their signature heavy metal roots, showcasing a refined maturity in their songwriting and production choices.
- Stylistic neighbors
- High on Fire· Mastodon· Clutch
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Prelude 0:27
- 2 Deadly Nightshade 3:01
- 3 Twilight Sunrise 3:08
- 4 The Wild Sky 3:35
- 5 Intermezzo 1:32
- 6 Sea of Green 5:37
- 7 Nocturne 4:03
- 8 Don’t Get Too Comfortable 4:13
- 9 Used Future 4:22
- 10 Come and Gone 3:39
- 11 Book of Thoth 2:51
- 12 Brown Mountain 5:25
- 13 Reprise 1:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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