Swallow The Sun

Live at The Avalon

Hollywood, California

September 26th, 2012

Review and Photos by Travis Baumann

Swallow The Sun are a Melodic Death Metal band out of Finland. They are currently touring as opening support for Accept and Kreator on the North American Teutonic Terror Tour.

They started the set off with "Emerald Forest and the Blackbird", the title track off of their latest release. Their stage presence includes two guitarists, a bassist, drums and keyboards.

While the music itself is atmospheric, layered, and melodic the vocals are growled and sinister. They continued with "Hate, Lead the Way!" and "Psychopath's Lair" both of which have a darker, heavier side to them then their first song of the set.

They have an almost doom or melancholy aspect to them, especially in regards to the orchestrated, synthesizer parts and on some songs the guitars are also working towards this Gothic sensibility.

The lead singer predominantly sang in place with his hands up to the mic and hat brim pulled low, making it hard to see his face. The keyboard player was very animated though.

They played "Cathedral Walls" before coming to their last song of the night, "Swallow (Horror Pt.1)" which came from their debut album "The Morning Never Came".

It was a good show for a band I had never seen or really listened to much before. Their latest album is definitely more atmospheric and complex than their earliest but even the oldest material has many surprises. Every now then they have melodic vocals as well or guest vocalists assist but they just did the darker, more growled material live.

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