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1.  Emerald Forest
     and the Blackbird
2.  This Cut is the Deepest
3.  Hate, Lead the Way!
4.  Cathedral Walls
5.  Hearts Wide Shut
6.  Silent Towers
7.  Labyrinth of London
     (Horror Part IV)
8.  Of Death and Corruption
9.  April 14th
10.  Night Will Forgive Us

Total playing time:  66:51

Release Date: February 1, 2012
Label: Spinefarm Records

Swallow the Sun - Emerald Forest and the Blackbird

Reviewer: Peter

February 23, 2012

Since their first tour of the United States in 2010 in support of New Moon, Finland’s Swallow the Sun has been some long overdue recognition.  Having been in existence for over a decade, Swallow the Sun’s emergence only strengthens an already strong metal music scene in Finland, and along with Insomnium, represent the new face of metal in Finland.  Now, with a new album in Emeral Forest and the Blackbird, Swallow the Sun looks to enhance their reputation as a premier band in the doom metal scene.

Whereas New Moon was an album that most people could get into, Swallow the Sun return to a more challenging style of doom metal, preferring to go with a longer, more emotionally raw style that was present on albums such as Ghosts of Loss.  The opening title track is the best example of this, and though it is followed up with a more serene song in “This Cut is the Deepest,” it seems that Swallow the Sun has smoothed out some of the rough edges from previous works.  The vocals of Mikko Kotamäki have improved on this album compared to his first album with the band New Moon, and certainly, the ability to sing clean and death vocals effectively has helped Swallow the Sun reach new highs.  Both are on display in the song “Cathedral Walls,” which also feature the vocal talents of Annette Olzon from Nightwish.  The guitars are just as important as the vocals on the album, as it creates an atmosphere that in a sense of the word, contradicts the album title and cover art to the point where the line between music and poetry gets blurred.  As a whole, Emerald Forest and the Blackbird is an album that is best enjoyed all the way through to understand the weaving of styles that the band utilizes in its music.  There aren’t many moments where Emerald Forest and the Blackbird does wrong, and even when it does, it’s due to nitpicking just to find something wrong.

Swallow the Sun has been one of the more solid, if unspectacular bands that few outside of the doom metal circles know about.  With Emerald Forest and the Blackbird, Swallow the Sun has taken a step out of the shadows (no pun intended) and are firmly in position to be one of this year’s breakthrough bands.  Though it is still early in the year, Emerald Forest and the Blackbird is destined to make a few top ten lists, and Swallow the Sun is not even at the height of their abilities.