The Sword, one of two bands opening up for Metallica Monday at the Scotrade Center, is staking a claim to the mantle of Next Big Thing in metal.

After the year they’ve had so far, one can see why.

Hailing from the totally metal city of Austin (shyeah, right!), the Sword has put out a second successful album for Kemado Records, Gods of the Earth, gained hordes of fans by playing festivals as diverse as Ozzfest and Bonnaroo and, most importantly, caught the attention of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. They have opened dozens of “Death Magnetic” shows for Metallica this year, including all across Europe.

Sword drummer Trivett Wingo said the jump to arena rock was a big adjustment.

“It was a little rough and slightly overwhelming,” said Wingo, who cites Zep’s John Bonham and Dale Crover of the Melvins as his drumming gods. “The stage was enormous and all these dudes are running around with wireless equipment. Also, when there are more people at the show, I have to work much harder to rock everyone in the crowd.”

Hailed by one critic as “hazy and stoner-ish but mighty and razor-tight,” the band plays aggressive thrash metal with a nod to icons like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. The quartet, whose lyrics burrow into wizardry and sorcery, credits its success to keeping it real (no laptops or electronics onstage) and avoiding the pressure to fit in or oversaturate itself in Austin.

“In Austin, everyone is in a band and there are 18 shows going on every day. It’s hard to distinguish yourself,” said Wingo. “At this point we’re like nomads, though. We’ve spend less time there than anywhere this year. We’re just rogues, wanderers and pirates — hide your women and gold!”

The Sword with Down, opening for Metallica

Monday, Scottrade Center

Doors, 6 pm, show 7 pm, $55.50-$75.50

www.myspace.com/thesword

www.scottradecenter.net/