"These Woods Breathe Evil" reads like something straight out of a horror flick... well this haunting title is actually that of the first song off of the new CD from Finland's Swallow The Sun. New Moon is their new death/doom creation, out now on Spinefarm Records, and brimming with dark riffs.
Swallow The Sun's New Moon is indeed an entertaining and memorable atmospheric metal album, back to the moving opening song "These Woods Breathe Evil" the dark atmosphere surrounds and the guitar playing really grasps you, as it does on "Falling World" a song which features a mixture of vocal styles. New Moon's tracks do comprise of many evil growls from Mikko Kotamaki, but clean vocals both male and female do make appearances, which truly add to Swallow The Sun's creation.
A track with many changes is "Lights on the Lake (Horror pt. III)", which, after a gentle guitar introduction during which we are also treated to female vocals, the power level escalates as Swallow The Sun's other members join in. As the song progresses the single kicks switch to blacker blasts and rapid double beats, and after an onslaught of dark metal the tempo subsides, but that powerful undertone is still felt.
New Moon ends strongly with "Weight of the Dead", which has a very cool atmospheric start to this long number, and after some sweeping dark music, next on "Weight of the Dead" the band drops back through the gears, and the song evolves into a slow very potent crushing doomster.
All this makes Swallow The Sun a band to keep your eye out for, and New Moon's a very strong addition to a popular genre.
Track List:
1. These Woods Breathe Evil
2. Falling World
3. Sleepless Swans
4. ...and Heavens Cried Blood
5. Lights on the Lake (Horror pt. III)
6. New Moon
7. Servant of Sorrow
8. Weight of the Dead
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