Album Review: Swallow the Sun – Shining (Century Media Records)

Finnish death doom masters, Swallow the Sun will release their new album ‘Shining’ on October 18th, 2024, via Century Media Records. An album that explores the intrinsic challenges of being human, contrasting the beauty and purity within individuals with the transformation that occurs when we come together, chasing us away from innocence like rats from Eden. It highlights the struggle and disillusionment in human interactions, dealing with a deep carved fear of life, and how melancholy can slowly turn into your God.

There’s an intangibility to Shining and what subjects and themes that Swallow the Sun are exploring here. Yet, to the surprise of no-one, this examination of being human comes in the form of deep, epic, and infectious melancholy.

It just takes a moment for that vibe to take hold. As renowned as Swallow the Sun are for dark and heavy misery, the opener Innocence Was Long Forgotten is lacking a lot. The focus on more of a melodic and poppy style just seems… off. It’s Swallow the Sun, but lacking the dynamic soundscape that normally covers you like a shroud.

Thankfully, this is but a temporary blip as their creative juices are well and truly flowing with the following What I Have Become. This is a Swallow the Sun track with some real bite to it, even when melody dominates, where even some more experimental aspects fit nicely. Something that is further enhanced with the following MelancHoly, another highly melodic and haunting listen.

It’s not a ‘senses set alight’ kind of track and it does have Katatonia-like vibes, but it does have an effect. Swallow the Sun do live up the title and deliver something oozing melancholic dramatics. Which is what we’re all here for after all.

Happily, a strong sense of wretchedness continues to dominate as Under the Moon & the Sun brings forth a dreaminess that feels light and airy. What makes this track special is the use of effects to create a more vibrant soundscape, but the drumming is certainly notable here too. Then there is Kold, one of the heavier tracks on the album, especially from a vocal perspective. We’re hearing some nasty growls here and when backed up by the chunky instruments, it becomes a favourite. There’s nothing to complain about when it comes to Swallow the Sun’s melodious ways, but few will find themselves heartbroken by the sound of them getting mean.

The second half of the album offers up a similar amount of variety too with November Dust slowing things down in intriguingly laborious fashion and Velvet Chains utilising the power of a piano to create thick layers of emotion. Here are two tracks that epitomise Swallow the Sun’s forlorn ways and while it can become tiresome describing this band in such a way, there are few better terms to sum up what two tracks like this offer. The latter of the two, in particular, is so pretty.

Deep and dark depths continue to be plumbed, with the occasional explorative twist and turn, as the album reaches its conclusion. A blend of grunge and gothic tones helping enhance the gloomy atmosphere of Tonight Pain Believes. Then Charcoal Sky comes with blackened crashing and smashing intensity, and a mid-point shift into melody that just about works. Before the title track caps things off with a fanatical epic that delivers moments of brilliance wrapped around some humdrum moments of uninspired melody. The overarching feeling this track leaves you with though relates to its overall grandeur and that fact that is an ambitious finish.

Ambition that comes through strongly across the whole release and is extremely admirable, especially as it results in a quality listen overall, A few missed moments aren’t enough to derail things and when this album is good, which if often is, it’s really good.

Swallow the Sun – Shining Track Listing:

1. Innocence Was Long Forgotten
2. What I Have Become
3. MelancHoly
4. Under the Moon & the Sun
5. Kold
6. November Dust
7. Velvet Chains
8. Tonight Pain Believes
9. Charcoal Sky
10. Shining

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