Elased
Swallow the Sun is at a crossroads. The year 2024 marks the beginning of a new era for it. Just one glance at the cover of its new album Shining makes it unmistakably clear: everything is different from today! This is exciting and stirs curiosity, but it also has its downsides. So before we delve into the music, let me say a few words: Yes, I was also taken aback when I heard the first single for the first time—but I was even more shocked by the sometimes harsh and nasty comments that this and subsequent audio samples received from some “so-called fans”. Did Swallow the Sun deserve that? Absolutely not! Every musician has the right to artistic freedom and to express their own creativity—even if that means rethinking their previous style. Just think of bands like Anathema, Opeth, Katatonia, and so many others. And Swallow the Sun certainly hasn’t been treading water for nine albums either.
However, this situation has a completely different scope. Everyone now knows the story behind the last two albums—there’s no need to repeat it here. As good as the music may have been, Shining now closes this chapter. Anyone who follows the band on social media will have noticed that it has completely packed up its tents behind it. Its public image has been thoroughly transformed for some time now. I almost want to say: Swallow the Sun is back! And what fan could seriously begrudge it this decision? Instead of dismissing the new music, we fans should welcome it warmly and joyfully and congratulate the band. I, for one, have decided to follow the band on this new path.
And the album makes this transition possible without difficulty, because the music (to come to that point) is phenomenal, delightful, and full of wonderful catchy tunes. If you listen to it with an open mind and heart, you will realize that the departure from the past is not as great as it may seem. It is (and if you really want to, disagree with me) still an unmistakable work of its creative creators. I even recognize clear tendencies that harken back to the roots, reminding me of albums like Hope (2007) and New Moon (2009).
Compared to the last albums, the music is (to put it positively) free of all ballast. On Shining, the focus is on the essentials and on a new foundational mood. The music is more minimalist, with symphonic elements replaced by electronic and digital ones (and if this makes you think of Theatre of Tragedy‘s Musique, rest assured: it’s not that extreme). The instrumentation is far less harsh than before; it rather caresses the listener. For long stretches, you might wonder whether this is still metal at all. I would describe it as a kind of atmospheric dark rock (for example, “Velvet Chains” is beautiful)—but there is often no doubt as to who we are dealing with. The heavy, weighty guitars and the oppressive drumming have by no means been lost (“Kold,” “Charcoal Sky”). Although the clear vocals predominate, they explore new depths (“November Dust”)—and who would mind that? Here and there, a piano introduces new and unusual accents (“Under the Moon & Sun”). The songwriting may have lost some of its complexity, but the songs are easier to listen to and catchier as a result. And the album is certainly not lacking in dynamics!
In its foundational mood, the music is more sentimental, sweeter, and, yes, also a bit poppier (no art after Moonflowers, but I think there is absolutely no danger of Swallow the Sun sinking into the mainstream as a result). Above all, however, the entire album is a true celebration of warm, all-encompassing, uplifting melancholy from front to back. In complete contrast to its predecessors, it leaves the listener in a positive and hopeful mood. Swallow the Sun has completely achieved its goal. And I can only congratulate them on this! To everyone else: Go for it!
Label: Century Media
Release date: 18 October 2024
Website: facebook.com/swallowthesun
Country: Finland
Score: Joyful sadness, but maybe something around 3.0-3.5/5.0? Who cares about numbers!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 