Lycan Society Radio

SWALLOW THE SUN, the Melodic Death/Doom Maestros whose last album ‘New Moon’ hit the Top Ten in their native Finland, being universally hailed as their most ‘progressive, sorrowful, beautiful… and evil!’, have now confirmed the release of the follow-up for February 6th 2012, again through the Spinefarm label…

 

Titled ‘Emerald Forest And The Blackbird’ and showcasing 10 brand new songs including ‘Hearts Wide Shut’, ‘Night Will Forgive Us’ plus video track ‘Cathedral Walls’ (featuring Nightwish singer Anette Olzon), the album – this musically ambitious sextet’s fifth full-length studio release – has been recorded at Drumforest Studios in Finland under the gaze of legendary home-grown producer, Mikko Karmila, who has previously worked with Nightwish, Children Of Bodom & Amorphis amongst others. 

 

Mixing, meanwhile, has been handled by Hiili Hiilesmaa (Apocalytica, HIM, etc.). 

 

According to STS guitarist/mainman Juha Raivio, ‘Emerald Forest…’ is based around the band’s trademark blend of “gloom, beauty and despair”, and as with all STS releases, it’s very much bs ever-fertile imagination that drives the project forward…

 

“I was listening over and over again to an old Finnish lullaby,” he recalls, “and suddenly the image came into my mind of a father reading a tale to his dying child, trying to explain where the child was going that night…. the tale of the Emerald Forest And The Blackbird. 

 

“As for ‘Cathedral Walls’, we are extremely honoured to have Anette Olzon featuring on vocals – her signature tones give the song the depth and the angelic character it demands…” 

 

Comments Olzon: “When I heard the demo of ‘Cathedral Walls’, I fell in love with the song straight away – the melody and the lyrics are truly beautiful.”

 

In addition, Aleah Stanbridge of Trees Of Eternity, who has worked with STS before, guests on two further album tracks.

 

With Kai Hahto – the most recent STS recruit, replacing Pasi Pasanen – continuing to occupy the drum position, STS are currently finalising their tour activity for 2012.