SWALLOW THE SUN's “Hope” has been out now for a few months and it took me a while to fully grasp this album. With “Hope”, the listener is guided through the twists and turns of depressive doom coupled with death metal growls and interludes. This album paints an overall picture of depression however is beautiful in it's own way as well. The atmosphere is astounding and every subtlety seems necessary and almost welcomed. This is not a flawless record however, but it is one that is sure to be at the top of my end of the year list for deathdoom.
SWALLOW THE SUN seemingly takes a page out of the book that MY DYING BRIDE and lesser known AGALLOCH and DAYLIGHT DIES have written. The listener is greeted with somber melody and clean vs. growling vocals that span that state of emotional metal. I get the same feeling with this record that I got with KATATONIA's “The Great Cold Distance” lsat year. Meaning that you can feel this album, unlike many other records in this genre which makes it a cut above the rest in deathdoom. Speaking off KATATONIA, Jonas Renske makes a vocal appearance of “The Justice of Suffering” which makes that track one of my personal favorites.
Overall, this is a very good overall album. The only problem that I had with it is the record seemed to be a bit drawn out. By the time you get to track 7 or 8, you are emotionally exhausted. That and although each song brings something to the table overall, toward the end of the record they get a bit repetitious. Even so, there are many aspects of this album that are extremely well done as well. I like the fact that even though this is definitely a deathdoom staple, SWALLOW THE SUN have incorporated Finnish folk elements, acoustic portions, and tempo changes to keep the listener interested. Personally, the tracks that really stand out to me on this album are “The Justice of Suffering”, “Hope”, and “Empty Skies”.
All that being said, I would recommend this album for those who enjoy the bands listed above. I think this would be a good addition to your deathdoom collection.
note: 7.9
Tracklist
Hope
These Hours of Despair
The Justice of Suffering
Don't Fall Asleep (Horror Pt. 2)
Too Cold For Tears
The Empty Skies
No Light, No Hope
Doomed to Walk the Earth
Line-up
Mikko Kotamaki – vocals
Juha Raivio – guitar
Markus Jamsen – guitar
Matti Honkonen – bass
Aleksi Munter – keyboards
Pasi Pasanen – drums
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