The Sword continues its upward trajectory. The Austin, Texas, band, led by Cave Spring High School graduate J.D. Cronise, on Oct. 23 released its fourth album, “Apocryphon.” This week, the disc made No. 17 on the Billboard top 200 after selling 16,800 copies according to a news release from its record label, Razor & Tie.

“Apocryphon” was also No. 2 on the hard music chart, No. 4 on the rock chart and was the No. 26-selling digital release, according to Razor & Tie. The disc is No. 4 on the iTunes chart. It all adds up to the band’s best-ever opening week.

We spoke with Cronise last month about the album, his new lyrical inspirations and about the departure of Trivett Wingo, another Cave Spring grad who was with the band through its first three records before suddenly quitting right before the band played its first — and so far, only — Roanoke show. We also discussed the band’s own hot sauce, which will apparently set fire to one’s mouth, and about the act’s release of cassette copies of “Apocryphon.”

In more personal news, Cronise says he has moved from Austin, which turned out to be nothing he had hoped it would be, to Asheville, N.C., which if closer to his family here in Southwest Virginia.

Sadly, the label declined to let us stream any  music. But it’s still an interesting interview.

More podcasts

• blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/category/podcasts

See The Sword’s tour itinerary after the jump.The Sword Tour Dates

Wed/Oct-31  – Oklahoma City OK – Acm
Thu/Nov-01  – Little Rock AR – Downtown Music Hall
Fri/Nov-02  – Shreveport LA – The Riverside Warehouse
Sat/Nov-03  – Austin TX – Fun FunFun Festival
Mon/Nov-05  – Lincoln NE – Bourbon Theater
Tue/Nov-06  – Minneapolis MN – First Ave
Wed/Nov-07  – Chicago IL – Double Door
Thu/Nov 8- Columbus, Ohio- A&R Bar
Fri/Nov-09  – Cleveland OH – Grog Shop
Sat/Nov-10  – Covington KY –The Madison Theater
Sun/Nov-11  – Detroit MI – St Andrews Hall
Tue/Nov-13  – Philadelphia Pa – Union Transfer
Wed/Nov-14  – New York NY– Webster Hall
Thu/Nov-15  – Pawtucket RI – The Met
Fri/Nov-16  – Cambridge MA – Middle East Downstairs
Sat/Nov-17  – Washington DC  – Rock & Roll Hotel
Mon/Nov-19  – Birmingham AL–Workplay
Tue/Nov-20  – Orlando FL – Beacham
Wed/Nov-21  – Atlanta GA – Masquerade
Thu/Nov-22  – Nashville TN – Exit / In
Fri/Nov-23  – Memphis TN – Hi Tone
Sat/Nov-24  – Baton Rouge LA – Spanish Moon
Sun/Dec-02  – Tulsa OK – Eclipse
Mon/Dec-03  – Kansas City MO – Record Bar
Tue/Dec-04  – Denver CO – Bluebird
Wed/Dec-05  – Salt Lake City UT – Urban Lounge
Thu/Dec-06  – Boise ID – Neurolux
Fri/Dec-07  – Portland OR – Hawthorne
Sat/Dec-08  – Seattle WA – Neumos
Mon/Dec-10  – Sacramento CA – Harlows
Tue/Dec-11  – San Francisco CA – Independent
Wed/Dec-12  – Los Angeles CA – El Rey
Thu/Dec-13  – San Diego CA – Brick By Brick
Fri/Dec-14  – Phoenix AZ – Club Red
Sat/Dec-15  – Tucson AZ – Congress
Mon Dec 17- Dallas, Texas- Trees
Tue/Dec-18  – Houston TX–Fitzgeralds

For all information on The Sword, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/theswordofdoom

http://twitter.com/#!/thesword

www.swordofdoom.com