Post by thesoundmonitor on Jan 6, 2004 23:01:38 GMT -5
SWALLOW THE SUN
The Morning Never Came
(Firebox) Firecd012
by Warren Wheeler
Admittedly a big fan of melancholic metal in the mid-90’s I kind of drifted away from the scene along with the benchmarkers, as they explored new avenues of rock, punk and pop. So while I am somewhat intrigued by the new breed following the old school, I must first acknowledge that I find the death growl virtually intolerable nowadays. Especially when the slow, etherealities of the music could benefit greatly from some haunting, lilting melodies.
So where does that leave poor old Finnish band Swallow the Sun? Unfortunately, in the wrong hands at the wrong time. The quality of the craftsmanship is evident. Solid, slow dirges akin to early-Tiamat, ancient grandeur ala fellow countrymen Amorphis, and darker than early-The Gathering, Swallow the Sun have studies the art closely. Plenty of haunting keyboards, plodding riffs and scarier than thou imagery.
Yet there is a hint of modernity amidst the structures. Maybe a little Opeth or In Flames seeping through.
Personally I’d rather revert back to my Anathema or Paradise Lost, but it is good to see the depressive torch still being carried valiantly.
Artist website: swallowthesun.cjb.net
Label website: www.firebox.fi
Buy this album: www.firebox.fi
The Morning Never Came
(Firebox) Firecd012
by Warren Wheeler
Admittedly a big fan of melancholic metal in the mid-90’s I kind of drifted away from the scene along with the benchmarkers, as they explored new avenues of rock, punk and pop. So while I am somewhat intrigued by the new breed following the old school, I must first acknowledge that I find the death growl virtually intolerable nowadays. Especially when the slow, etherealities of the music could benefit greatly from some haunting, lilting melodies.
So where does that leave poor old Finnish band Swallow the Sun? Unfortunately, in the wrong hands at the wrong time. The quality of the craftsmanship is evident. Solid, slow dirges akin to early-Tiamat, ancient grandeur ala fellow countrymen Amorphis, and darker than early-The Gathering, Swallow the Sun have studies the art closely. Plenty of haunting keyboards, plodding riffs and scarier than thou imagery.
Yet there is a hint of modernity amidst the structures. Maybe a little Opeth or In Flames seeping through.
Personally I’d rather revert back to my Anathema or Paradise Lost, but it is good to see the depressive torch still being carried valiantly.
Artist website: swallowthesun.cjb.net
Label website: www.firebox.fi
Buy this album: www.firebox.fi