Templar Conquering Swords Review
Templar
Conquering Swords
Jawbreaker Records
2026
Swedish Metal warriors Templar have unleashed their debut full-length, “Conquering Swords,” via Jawbreaker Records. The album was recorded by Staffan Tengnér of the band Century - a fitting choice, as both bands draw from the same well of classic, steel-forged Heavy Metal tradition.
What Templar delivers here is unapologetic, old-school NWOBHM worship that channels the spirit of Cirith Ungol, Manilla Road, Angel Witch, Manowar, early Iron Maiden, and Sweden’s own Heavy Load. This isn’t modernized nostalgia, it’s a full-blooded throwback to a time when fantasy-driven Heavy Metal stood proudly on its own, long before it was neatly categorized as Power Metal. This is music for the lifers, the denim-clad faithful who remember when swords, sorcery, and steel were central pillars of the genre.
Lyrically and atmospherically, “Conquering Swords” leans hard into myth and legend. If your imagination was shaped by Conan the Barbarian or The Lord of the Rings, you’ll feel right at home. Even for someone like me, who doesn’t actively seek out fantasy literature, the band makes a compelling case. “Witchking” is a prime example. Twin guitar leads duel over galloping rhythms, summoning a firestorm of classic riffing that feels ripped straight from 1983. It’s vivid, triumphant, and unashamedly dramatic, Heavy Metal with sword raised high.
“Excalibur” follows suit but sharpens the edge even further. The recording has a warm, analog bite, and the vocal delivery carries both tenacity and grandeur. The urgent riffs and soaring melodies linger long after the final note fades, practically demanding to be hummed on repeat. Meanwhile, “Exiled in Fire” accelerates the pace with blistering momentum, stacking classic Metal riffs atop driving percussion in a way that will satisfy even the most hardened traditionalists.
Templar isn’t content to rely solely on speed and bombast, though. “The Sorceress” pulls back just enough to showcase dynamic range. The slower pacing adds weight to the riffs, while the lead break burns with precision and feeling. It’s a reminder that restraint can be just as powerful as full-throttle aggression.
I don’t often go out of my way for bands performing this Metal much, but Templar has managed to drag me back into that world. They’ve got me wanting to revisit the movie Excalibur and spin those early Cirith Ungol records again. For a debut album, “Conquering Swords” sounds remarkably seasoned - muscular, confident, and lived-in rather than forced. If Templar continues to wield their steel with this level of conviction and swagger, they won’t just be honoring the past, they’ll be carving out a legacy of their own. Don’t pass this one by, jump on it now – swords, steel and glory await you…