Swallow the Sun Hope
Candlelight Records - CDL344 - March 20, 2007
By Wayward_Son
Having heard about Swallow the Sun back when their debut, The Morning Never Came, was unleashed, but never actually listening to it, Hope is this writers first experience with this Finnish doom/death outfit. For some reason theyve always been part of that list of bands that might warrant a purchase one day if there is money to burn, but for the most part, they are simply there. Now that Hope has been played numerous times, this writer can safely say that Swallow the Sun will go on without this writer following them.
This is paint-by-numbers melodic doom/death. Nothing more, nothing less. Lets see, weve got cleanly sung, spoken, and low growled vocals, simple riffs with clean melody lines, and pseudo-atmospheric keyboards. The funny thing is that the music found within is well executed and competent. It is easily accessible, and youll hear everything the band has to offer by the second track. The eight songs follow the same pattern, and really hold no surprises. Fortunately, the band was able to write one song that has replay value in The Justice of Suffering. The cleanly sung chorus adds another dimension to the song that the band should utilize far more often, instead of relying on clichéd death grunts.
While Swallow the Suns style of doom/death is not terrible, there is no getting around the fact that it is quite generic. Doom metal of any kind depends on the music carrying with it a sense of hopelessness, despair, mood, and nostalgia, as much as it does the actual musicians executing their parts with efficiency. Swallow the Sun totally lacks the former. This music is empty. Nowhere did this writer feel anything resembling sadness throughout the duration of Hope. Of course, some fans may point to the use of keyboards that create a certain atmosphere. Metal listeners need to understand that including keyboards in music does not automatically create another dimension. In Swallow the Suns case, they simply provide a pleasant backdrop of nothingness. Though, perhaps it is the production. Everything is crystal clear and could possibly be robbing the album of having some sort of personal feel to it.
Faithful Reader, this is doom/death for beginners. It is easy on the ears and has about as much depth as a pancake, though it is not nearly as tasty. Diehard fans of doom stalwarts Anathema , My Dying Bride and Katatonia might find something worth listening to here. As for this writer, music with a meaning is far more important than gloss.
Official Swallow the Sun Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
Candlelight Records - CDL344 - March 20, 2007
By Wayward_Son
Having heard about Swallow the Sun back when their debut, The Morning Never Came, was unleashed, but never actually listening to it, Hope is this writers first experience with this Finnish doom/death outfit. For some reason theyve always been part of that list of bands that might warrant a purchase one day if there is money to burn, but for the most part, they are simply there. Now that Hope has been played numerous times, this writer can safely say that Swallow the Sun will go on without this writer following them.
This is paint-by-numbers melodic doom/death. Nothing more, nothing less. Lets see, weve got cleanly sung, spoken, and low growled vocals, simple riffs with clean melody lines, and pseudo-atmospheric keyboards. The funny thing is that the music found within is well executed and competent. It is easily accessible, and youll hear everything the band has to offer by the second track. The eight songs follow the same pattern, and really hold no surprises. Fortunately, the band was able to write one song that has replay value in The Justice of Suffering. The cleanly sung chorus adds another dimension to the song that the band should utilize far more often, instead of relying on clichéd death grunts.
While Swallow the Suns style of doom/death is not terrible, there is no getting around the fact that it is quite generic. Doom metal of any kind depends on the music carrying with it a sense of hopelessness, despair, mood, and nostalgia, as much as it does the actual musicians executing their parts with efficiency. Swallow the Sun totally lacks the former. This music is empty. Nowhere did this writer feel anything resembling sadness throughout the duration of Hope. Of course, some fans may point to the use of keyboards that create a certain atmosphere. Metal listeners need to understand that including keyboards in music does not automatically create another dimension. In Swallow the Suns case, they simply provide a pleasant backdrop of nothingness. Though, perhaps it is the production. Everything is crystal clear and could possibly be robbing the album of having some sort of personal feel to it.
Faithful Reader, this is doom/death for beginners. It is easy on the ears and has about as much depth as a pancake, though it is not nearly as tasty. Diehard fans of doom stalwarts Anathema , My Dying Bride and Katatonia might find something worth listening to here. As for this writer, music with a meaning is far more important than gloss.
Official Swallow the Sun Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
This album is absolutely ace, though not STS's best offering. Sure, it's nothing new, nothing amazing, but done better than anyone else today. These guys are turning out better material than My Dying Bride is for sure.
