Review SWALLOW THE SUN “Shining”

Jyväskylä is a smaller city in the southern part of Finland and is known for its lively music scene. One of the bands from there is Swallow The Sun. The band formed in 2000 and released their debut album “The Morning Never Came” in 2003. The band name and album title reflect the long and dark winter season prefectly, which also impacts the quintet’s sound.

The band, which delivered a milestone album with the three-album set “Songs From the North I, II & III”, has its latest effort “Shining” ready to be shipped to the record stores. As with their previous releases, Swallow The Sun remain true to their sound and formula for success. Somewhere between doom, death and gothic metal, the guys present the beauty of gloom.

The new album contains ten songs and all of them are well-crafted masterpieces. Not only that these songs are done with great craftsmanship. It is the emotional aspect of songs like “Under the Moon and the Sun” that has an impact on the listener. Like the beauty of Finland’s winter nature, each of the songs unfolds its bitter cold elegance that is truly touching.

The band thereby never drowns in emotional bleakness. Even though the music is very melancholic and sometimes mournful, there’s a constant feeling of light embedded in these tracks. It’s the musical pendant to the sun trying to break through the morning fog, sometimes more, sometimes less successful. This is reflected in the vocals of Mikko Kotamäki. Clean vocals are the focus on “Shining”, while the occasional growl adds a twist to the mournful mood of the album. “What I Have Become” is a track that relies on growls and shows the band’s passion for roaring riffs that interact with atmospheric moments.

“November Dust” is another song worth mentioning. Kept in a slower tempo, the tune comes closer to funeral doom, while some intense and fragile vocals add an extra level of sorrow to this great composition.

Soundscapes shrouded in gray fog are also provided by the title track. “Shining” is generally heavier than “November Dust”. The band flirts with tension as they bring together massive metal outbursts and moments of fragility. The song is a bittersweet treat that grabs your attention. It opens the door to a world of sorrow and hope, both reflected in this masterpiece.

“Shining” is the next step in Swallow The Sun’s musical journey, and it is the long-awaited, masterfully crafted longplayer with songs that speak to the heart and soul. Enveloped in darkness and shades of gray, each of these ten tracks is among the best the band has ever delivered. It is the soundtrack for the upcoming fall and winter season, as the album reflects the emotional feel of a time when the days are getting shorter and the darkness is gaining momentum.