Swallow the Sun : "When a Shadow is Forced Into the Light"

My first exposure to this band was seeing them play with Katatonia on the "Great Cold Distance" tour and since I was there to see Katatonia , I really just caught passing glimpses of them . They sounded different from what I am hearing on this album.There is a really massive sound to the title track that opens the album. The synths keep it from sounding too much like Katatonia, though there is that mood to it. The harsher vocals have more of a black metal rasp to them than the lower death metal tone I recall. "the Crimson Crown" finds them heading in more of a progressive direction as it floats with a more Moody Blues like feel. The higher vocal passages and the extended guitar solo only supports this. "Firelights " continues with a more moody and melodic direction. The production being so spacious keeps it from really sounding that dark. Its up to the lower vocal and when the synth shifts to more of a organ sound for them to get darker.

There is a more brooding tension to "Upon the Water". The harsher vocals return on what might be the bridge as where the chorus falls is not as obvious. The shadows that haunt this song are more prominent and wins me over with the over all sound.The guitar to "Stone Wings' is interesting . The song it self does not pull me in like some of the others. They do hook you right from the beginning of "Clouds On Your Side" which might be one of the albums better songs. It goes from a soft loud dynamic, and does get dramatically heavier when the low death metal vocals are re-introduced. The drumming seems pretty innovative and is a big reason this song works. There is not as much holding "Here on the Black Earth " together until the chorus. I like the way the vocals are produced , not only on this song , but the bulk of the album . Though some of the lower vocal parts could have gotten more low and feel a little dry.

The album closes with "Never Left". The lower vocals here work better. The lyrics to this song stand out more for some reason. It reminds me a little of the more melodic moments from My Dying Bride. This album is pretty solid. I'll give it a 9. They sound more Swedish than Finnish, though some of the goth touches that are more implied than really committed to, lean in in more of a Helsinki direction. If you are a fan of the band who doesn't find the more melodic direction the band is heading in then you will find this album will sit well with you. If you haven't really given them much of a chance like I am guilty of then this is a good enough place to start.