SWALLOW THE SUN „New Moon”

Music: Doom Metal
Website: www.swallowthesun.net
Country: Finland
Duration: 53:50 (8 songs)
Cool Songs: These Woods Breathe Evil, Lights on the Lake, Servant of Sorrow

The band SWALLOW THE SUN has come back with their new opus called “New Moon.” To what this name refers, I don't know, but no matter what, it suits pretty well, because just as their line-up has changed, so has the music. I don't know, whether we can place this change to new drummer's debit. Kai Hahto, who in early 2009 officially replaced Pasi Pasanen's post, is already known from his cooperation with WINTERSUN or ROTTEN SOUND. There's no doubt that Hahto is a talented drummer, I think, but yet I was a bit disappointed with his work on the album. SWALLOW THE SUN should either provide him with more space to show his talent, or unfasten a bit. This kind of half-hearted endeavour to be appropriate didn't enthuse me much. Nevertheless there are highlights where Kai definitely surpasses his predecessor, for example in track “Lights on the Lake (Horror pt. III),” in which his well-known berserk beatblast fits perfectly. So let's hope he'll undertake the risk for the next time, it would be a great pity.

On the other hand I have to say that all the guitarists deserve a great applause. They bring a bit more creativity in their play, which I slightly missed on their earlier records. The biggest credit then goes to singer Mikko. Not only he takes advantage of his black metal potential and thus brings considerable variety in the vocal lines. Also the clean vocals, that seemed kind of needless to me on the previous album, now pleasantly complete the whole sound, apart from the fact their quality has risen by about one hundred percent. And of course it would be silly not to mention the perfect work of keyboardist Aleksi, on which stands the whole sound of SWALLOW THE SUN.

We can spot a great turnover already in the opening track “These Woods Breathe Evil.” It differs in its measurably faster tempo, fuller sound and also the increased presence of black metal screams. In my opinion one of the best songs of the album. The next song “Falling World” also stands in contrast to the rest of the album. A bit non-swallowish, unexpectedly easy to remember, with weird refrain that, although it's not anyhow special, gets stuck in your head for ages. A nice enrichment. The middle of the record is then slightly indistinct. It's not that the tracks lack something, not at all. Simply solid doom metal, which is just easier to listen to than to prate about. The song no. 5, “Lights on the Lake (Horror pt. III),” then awakes your interest, revived by surprising presence of a female singer. The invitation of a guest female singer is often just a desperate attempt to pique interest, sometimes leading to even bigger fall. Fortunately this isn't SWALLOW THE SUN's case, the voice of Swedish singer Aleah perfectly fits the song and only deepens the anticipation. Two last tracks “Servant of Sorrow” and “Weight of the Dead” belong to my favorite, loaded with unexpected twists and turnovers, the last track in particular, leaving the listener with goosebumps.

“New Moon” is album that deserves to be listened from the beginning to the end, to be concentrated on and to be given some time to settle down. SWALLOW THE SUN are growing up with every new record and “New Moon” is definitely a step forward.

note: 7,5/10

Tracklist

1. These Woods Breathe Evil
2. Falling World
3. Sleepless Swans
4. And Heavens Cried Blood
5. Lights on the Lake (Horror pt. III)
6. New Moon
7. Servant of Sorrow
8. Weight of the Dead

Line-up

Matti Honkonen – bass guitar
Markus Jämsen – guitar
Mikko Kotamäki – vocals
Aleksi Munter – keyboards
Juha Raivio – guitar
Kai Hahto – drums