There is beauty in gloom and despair

       Most people probably do not associate the word beautiful with Doom Metal. Swallow the Sun is perhaps the best example of beauty within darkness. Songwriter and guitarist Juha Raivio creates vast atmospheric music scapes with each and every song.

       Debut album The Morning Never Came hit shelves in November 2003. Sophomore album Ghosts of Loss circa 2005 began the band’s notoriety and success within the genre. Their single “Forgive her” gained fourth place on the finnish top 20 on which it remained for six weeks.

       To date the band have released six full length albums and one triple album, with the most recent being 2019’s When A Shadow is Forced into the Light. Generally, Swallow the Sun’s songs emphasize depression, death, mourning, and loss. Thus inspiring the gloom, beauty, and despair typically seen on their t-shirts.

        While the music often conveys a sense of something dreary and desperate, there is a unique and distinct beauty in the melody and atmosphere. The artistry of their songs are juxtaposed with growling vocals and dark lyrics. Raivio’s writing style is what any lyricist should aspire to, painting a vivid and detailed picture in the listener’s mind. Vocalist Mikko Kotomaki takes you on a journey of emotion ranging from torment, tenderness, and melancholy. He cuts screaming with almost delicate clean vocals in a way unparalled by others.

         This band excels in atmosphere. Everything from the lyrics to the melodies to the stage lighting is very deliberate and provides and experience like no other. We learn from Swallow the Sun that even our perceived darkest fears and saddest truths contain beauty, hope and light. For anyone curious about Doom Metal, this band is worthy of exploration.  Follow them at https://instagram.com/swallowthesunofficial , or check them out at swallowthesun.net and stream their music on any major music service.

Written by: Crystal Smeltz