It took me a few moments before I could completely observe the beautiful cover art of the new Swallow The Sun album. And as I pondered into the details my thoughts slowly began to formalize, there was a time when I repeatedly listened to their previous albums like The Mourning Never Came. But their 4th album New Moon was my favorite lullaby for that musical work has quelled my heart and appeased my soul that I’d listened to in every night for foreseeable time.

And through every course of time the Finnish melodic doom metal ensemble tune their hearts and set into a new musical installment. And such talents would’ve never came to light without any devotion, thus respectively the sextet brings to us a heartrending opus that will cause you a severe sadness and melancholy. When A Shadows is forced into the Light is profoundly emotional, in juxtaposition with the fury of anguish then suddenly soothes to the overwhelming melodies.

Before we start with the review there are a few facts which must be mentioned here, first of all the new Swallow The Sun album is fraught with deep emotions and cloaked with gloomy atmosphere. This piece of musical art is dedicated from the band to the beloved soul of Aleah Stanbridge (Trees of Eternity) who died of cancer a few years ago. And it is the guitarist Juha Raivio who holds the pain in his heart therefore this stunning musical piece is solemnly has an ideal purpose which the band has gifted to her soul.

The album title song opens with lush symphony and interweaving strings, the vocals are uncovered by Mikko Kotamäki beautiful clean signing with black metal shrieks sung in the chorus. The interplay between the strings and the growing symphonies is set with divine aura, and the dual female vocals with clean voice of Mikko adds an emotional component and they are filled with possessive qualities that makes this track so pleasing.

The Crimson Crown is set with breath taking performance of the interlacing strings and keys, the bass lines are harmonious and soothing. Each moment seems to open new heights and unlock the maze of this grandeur album with the soaring melodies that gives fulfills the imaginary and the staggering sonic value. The Crimson Crown is carried forth with soaring lead guitars arranged with the elegance of keyboards and intricate strings. When A Shadows Is Forced into the Light is a wistful, and heavily filled with sadness that can shatter your heart into fragments. And by such dexterity of the remarkable guitar work, and the personal quality of the members the musical eloquence is beautifully expressed.

Swallow The Sun‘s new album is musically parallel to Trees of Eternity, the elements of Katatonia are present but they’re simultaneously indirect. The latest album continues in the direction of their previous albums like The Emerald Forest & the Blackbirds, and Songs from the North I. It is also approached with a pervading mellow direction and it deeply pertains to its fragile melodic side which manifest with every passing song. In my opinion the new album could have been way better if the vocalist had used more growls and raspy shrieks.

Firelights booms with catchy guitar melodies yet it captures the essence of light and drifts away from darkness. The sudden billows comes rushing and leaves only a few moments of silence before the doomy crushing riffs falls down upon your head. The patterns are ornamented with incredible musical performance, Swallow The Sun weave their untamed melodies and they naturally burst with passion.

The opening moments of Upon the Water are quite delicate and lapped with blissful serenity, this track has a fair content of heavy guitars that flow with tranquility, provided with raspy growls and shrieks. And they are satiated with harmonic composition and stands as one of their powerful yet melodic songs ever written. it also has an accessible transition from the cascading melodies to the thundering guitar riffs. Once you allow the music to flow into your soul you will be touched by the effectual aura.

Stone Wings is tampered with copious melodies of pleasing tunes and they are fraught with rhythmic elements that are played in different forms. The clean vocals have different styles and variety that requires some talent. When A Shadows Is Forced into The Light Is a diversified and kaleidoscopic album and it doesn’t pertains to a single musical spectrum.

Clouds on Your Side and Here on the Back Earth shows a refined class in song-writing by the sextet. The closing track Never Left lavishly holds as a beautiful and meditative musical work, with these vibrant emotions that have emanated their hearts. Swallow The Sun has forged a stairway towards undefined plains and yet with each release they seem to capture a refined art.

Release Date: January 25th, 2019
Label: Century Media Records
Track list:
1. When a Shadow Is Forced Into The Light
2. The Crimson Crown
3. Firelights
4. Upon the Water
5. Stone Wings
6. Clouds on Your Side
7. Here on the Black Earth
8. Never Left