Swallow the Sun
Songs from the North I, II & III
Release Date: 13 November 2015
Century Media
Review by Salla Harjula
A triple doom album. Stating the obvious here, but it’s a lot to take on. But you knew that. The question is, is it worth it?
The first record is the easiest, the most accessible, the most classic Swallow the Sun. And I’ll admit it, my favourite. Dynamics is something that doom often lacks, but what I’ve always loved about this band is that their take on it is never monotonous.
The second is very acoustic. Clean vocals, airy guitar picking, and very little drums at all. The third crushes bones with its weight. Even for funeral doom, it’s bloody heavy. And leaden slow. You do need to enjoy that sort of thing to really love it.
Maybe the most striking thing overall is Mikko Kotamäki the vocalist. This opus takes full advantage of his progress as a singer, and it’s great to hear. Personally I prefer his massive and formidably varied screaming to his cleans, but he has also learned to sing over the years and this kind of extended range is ridiculously impressive.
It’s a colossal thing, this. But if you’re tempted, take it on. Yes, it’s worth it.
