Swallow the Sun is a Finnish

death-doom Death-doom is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It combines the slow tempos and pessimistic or depressive mood of doom metal with the deep growling vocals and double kick drumming of death metal. The genre emerged in the late-1980s and gained ...

band founded in 2000 by Juha Raivio. Their

style emphasizes melody and atmosphere, and occasionally steps into

gothic Gothic or Gothics may refer to: People and languages *Goths or Gothic people, the ethnonym of a group of East Germanic tribes **Gothic language, an extinct East Germanic language spoken by the Goths **Crimean Gothic, the Gothic language spoken b ...

and

black metal Black metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include Tempo#Beats per minute, fast tempos, a Screaming (music)#Black metal, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted Electric guitar, guitars played with t ...

territory. They have released eight full-length albums, one

triple album A double album (or double record) is an audio album that spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically either records or compact disc. A double album is usually, though not always, released as such because the recording i ...

, one EP, one demo, and seven singles.

History

''The Morning Never Came'' (2003)

Swallow the Sun was formed in early 2000 by Juha Raivio, soon joined by Pasi Pasanen (both had played together in Plutonium Orange). They rehearsed a couple of songs, one of them being "Through Her Silvery Body" which would end up on their first demo, ''Out of This Gloomy Light''. In 2001, Markus Jämsen, whom Raivio and Pasanen already knew from their earlier bands, joined as a second guitarist, and Mikko Kotamäki from Funeris Nocturnum as singer; then Aleksi Munter (keyboards) and Matti Honkonen (bass), also of Funeris Nocturnum, joined the band. In the spring of 2002 they started arranging songs for the demo ''Out of This Gloomy Light'' which was recorded in January 2003 at Sam's Workshop with Sami Kokko, who also mixed the demo. A record deal with

Firebox Records Firebox Records was a Finnish record label based in Seinäjoki, Southern Ostrobothnia. They specialized in doom metal. Firedoom Music was a subsidiary label of Firebox Records specializing in more extreme doom metal and other obscure genres. ...

was signed a few months after the recordings of the demo, and Swallow the Sun entered studio at late July 2003. During the following three weeks they recorded their debut album, '' The Morning Never Came''.

''Ghosts of Loss'' (2005)

In February 2005, Swallow the Sun released their second album, '' Ghosts of Loss''. Their single, " Forgive Her...," gained fourth place on the Finnish Top 20 singles chart in its first week of release, and stayed on the charts for six weeks. Their album entered the charts as well: No. 8 in between

Gwen Stefani Gwen Renée Stefani (; born October 3, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, fashion designer and actress. She is a co-founder, lead vocalist, and the primary songwriter of the band No Doubt, whose singles include "Just a Girl", "Spiderwebs ...

and

System of a Down System of a Down (also known as SoaD or simply System) is an Armenian-American heavy metal band formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. Since 1997, the band has consisted of Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards); Daron Malakian (guitar, voc ...

. Some of the album's songs have connections to the TV show

Twin Peaks ''Twin Peaks'' is an American Mystery fiction, mystery serial drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on American Broadcasting Company, ABC on April 8, 1990, and originally ran for two seasons until its cance ...

''Hope'' (2007)

During the year 2006, they signed to

Spinefarm Records Spinefarm Records is a Finnish independent record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. It is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. History Spinefarm Records was originally founded in 1990 by Riku Pääkkönen as a mail-order distrib ...

and did a small European tour. In January 2007 they released their third album, ''

Hope Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish ...

'', which includes a cover version of the

Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus Timo Rautiainen ja Trio Niskalaukaus (fin. "Timo Rautiainen and Trio Neckshot") is a heavy metal band from Finland, formed in 1997. The band was led by Timo Rautiainen, leading member of Finnish metallers Lyijykomppania, a band which is still ...

song "Alavilla mailla" (which they translated into "These Low Lands") as a bonus track on the digipack edition, sung by

Tomi Joutsen Tomi Joutsen (born 30 April 1975) is a Finnish musician, perhaps best known as the vocalist/frontman of the heavy metal band Amorphis (2005–), although also a member of other metal bands including Corpse Molester Cult (2008-), as their guitari ...

, the frontman of fellow Finnish metal band,

Amorphis Amorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band founded by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other genres, including progressive metal, an ...

. There is also a guest appearance by

Jonas Renkse Jonas may refer to: Geography * Jonas, Netherlands, Netherlands * Jonas, Pennsylvania, United States * Jonas Ridge, North Carolina, United States People with the name * Jonas (name), people with the given name or surname Jonas * Jonas, one of ...

Katatonia Katatonia are a Swedish heavy metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström. The band started as a studio-only project for the duo, as an outlet for the band's love of death metal. Increasing popularity led them to ...

on the song "The Justice of Suffering." They went on a US tour with

Scar Symmetry Scar Symmetry is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Avesta, formed in 2004. The band has released six albums, with seven released singles. They are signed to Nuclear Blast Records. History Formation and ''Symmetric in Design'' (2004−200 ...

and

Insomnium Insomnium is a melodic death metal band from Joensuu, Finland. The sound and lyrical themes of their music portray darkness, sorrow, loss, pain, and nature. They are primarily a melodic death metal band with occasional elements of doom metal and ...

in late 2007.

''Plague of Butterflies'' (2008)

In September 2008, they released an EP called ''

Plague of Butterflies ''Plague of Butterflies'' is the first EP by the melodic death metal/doom metal band Swallow the Sun. It was released on September 17, 2008 in Finland and September 23, 2008 worldwide through Spinefarm Records Spinefarm Records is a Finnish ...

'', followed by a December tour of the UK of ten live shows supporting

Apocalyptica Apocalyptica is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Helsinki, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso, and jazz drummer Mikko Sirén. Originally a classical ...

''New Moon'' (2009)

On May 18, 2009

Kai Hahto Kai Hahto (born 31 December 1973 in Vaasa, Finland) is a Finnish musician and drummer. Career Hahto was a member of the grindcore band Rotten Sound. In 2004 Hahto became one of the founders of the band Wintersun and left Rotten Sound later i ...

Wintersun Wintersun is a Finnish heavy metal band from Helsinki originally formed as the side project of Jari Mäenpää, then-vocalist and guitarist of folk metal band Ensiferum. In 2003, Mäenpää began pulling together songs that he had been work ...

joined Swallow the Sun to fill the void left by former drummer Pasi Pasanen. Kai Hahto did the drums on their next album, entitled ''

New Moon In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse. ...

'', Produced by Jens Bogren, the album was released on November 10, 2009.

''Emerald Forest and the Blackbird'' (2012)

The fifth studio album ''

Emerald Forest and the Blackbird ''Emerald Forest and the Blackbird'' is the fifth studio album by Finnish melodic doom metal band Swallow the Sun. The album was released February 1, 2012, by Spinefarm Records. It was also released on limited LP on both green and white vinyl ...

'' was released February 1, 2012, via Spinefarm Records. The lead single for the album, "Cathedral Walls", featured vocals by former

Nightwish Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Neva ...

singer

Anette Olzon Anette Ingegerd Olsson (born 21 June 1971), known by the stage name Anette Olzon, is a Swedish singer, best known as the former lead vocalist of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish from 2007 to 2012. She is also the vocalist of Swedish class ...

. The song "Labyrinth of London" features guest vocals by Raivio's partner

Aleah Stanbridge Aleah Liane Stanbridge (born Julia Liane Stanbridge; 1 July 1976 – 18 April 2016), better known mononymously as Aleah, or Aleah Starbridge, was a South African singer-songwriter based in Örebro, Sweden where she lived until her death. In 200 ...

''Songs from the North I, II & III'' (2015)

Swallow the Sun released the triple album '' Songs from the North I, II & III'' on November 13, 2015. Each of the three album discs embodies a different facet of the band's style: Gloom, Beauty, and Despair. Juuso Raatikainen replaced Kai Hahto as full-time drummer on this album, as Hahto was working on

's 2015 album '' Endless Forms Most Beautiful'' and subsequent tour in place of

Jukka Nevalainen Jukka Antero "Julius" Nevalainen (born 21 April 1978, in Kitee, Finland) is the former drummer in the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. Personal life He spent his early years in the city of Kitee. His music teacher at school told him t ...

. However, Hahto has not been kicked out or resigned.

''Lumina Aurea'' (2018)

Swallow the Sun's only non-album single was released on December 21, 2018, titled "Lumina Aurea", featuring

Wardruna Wardruna is a Norwegian music group formed in 2003 by Einar Selvik along with Gaahl and Lindy Fay Hella. They are dedicated to creating musical renditions of Norse cultural and esoteric traditions, and make significant use of Nordic historical a ...

Einar Selvik Einar Selvik (born 18 November 1979), also known by his stage name Kvitrafn ("white raven"), is a Norwegian musician known for being the drummer in the black metal band Gorgoroth from 2000 to 2004, and for fronting the Nordic folk project Wardru ...

and The Foreshadowing's Marco I. Benevento. The track embodies Raivio's bereavement and other emotions he experienced after the death of his partner

in 2016. It contains the title track and additionally an instrumental version of the track.

''When a Shadow Is Forced into the Light'' (2019) and ''20 Years of Gloom, Beauty and Despair – Live in Helsinki'' (2021)

In November 2018, the band announced their seventh album, ''

When a Shadow Is Forced into the Light ''When a Shadow Is Forced into the Light'' is the seventh studio album by Finnish doom metal band Swallow the Sun. It was released on January 25, 2019, by Century Media. The album deals directly with the death of Juha Raivio's partner, the sing ...

'', and its track list on their official Facebook page. The album was released on January 25, 2019, through

Century Media Records Century Media Records is a heavy metal record label with offices in the United States, Germany and London. In August 2015, Century Media was acquired by Sony Music for US$17 million. Background Century Media was founded by Robert Kampf and Oli ...

. It focuses on the death of Raivio's partner

, Raivio's mourning, and his life since Stanbridge's death. The title of the album is a quote by Stanbridge, which was also a lyric in the song "Broken Mirrors" by her and Raivio's band

Trees of Eternity Trees of Eternity was a musical collaboration between Finnish guitarist Juha Raivio ( Swallow the Sun) and Sweden-based, South African-born singer Aleah Stanbridge. Their music is often described as down-tempo, doom/death-inspired melancholia ...

. On May 28, 2021, the band announced their first live album. The occasion is the 20th anniversary of their debut album ''Gloom, Beauty and Despair''. ''20 Years of Gloom, Beauty and Despair – Live in Helsinki'' was released on April 20. The album was recorded live on February 26, 2020, at Tavastia Club, Helsinki on their 20th anniversary tour. The first eight tracks are an acoustic set that includes the entire second part of the Songs From The North album. The other songs were selected via a fan poll on social media asking fans for their favorite songs from the rest of the albums.doomed-nation.com
''Swallow The Sun announce their first ever live album »20 Years Of Gloom, Beauty And Despair – Live in Helsinki«'', Retrieved May 31, 2021

''Moonflowers'' (2021)

Swallow The Sun's eighth studio album, titled '' Moonflowers'' was released on November 19, 2021, featuring strings recorded by the string trio, Trio N O X. The band subsequently announced their North American and European tour promoting the album's release.

Members

Current members

*Juha Raivio – lead guitar (2018-present), rhythm guitar (2000–2018) *Mikko Kotamäki – lead vocals (2001–present) *Matti Honkonen – bass (2001–present) *Juuso Raatikainen – drums (2014–present) *Juho Räihä – rhythm guitar (2018–present)

Former members

*Pasi Pasanen – drums (2000–2009) *Markus Jämsen – lead guitar (2001–2018) *Aleksi Munter – keyboards (2003–2016) *

– drums (2009–2014) *

Jaani Peuhu Jaani Peuhu (born 17 August 1978) is a Finnish musician, producer and songwriter. He is the founder and lead vocalist of the Finnish band Iconcrash and currently working with his debut solo album. He currently resides in Helsinki. Background ...

– keyboards, backing vocals (2018–2021)

Timeline

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:120 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2000 till:12/31/2021 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:2 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2000 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2001 Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:Guitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar id:Guitar2 value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:Album value:black legend:Studio_album LineData = at:11/15/2003 color:album layer:back at:08/24/2005 color:album layer:back at:02/07/2007 color:album layer:back at:09/17/2008 color:album layer:back at:11/10/2009 color:album layer:back at:02/01/2012 color:album layer:back at:11/13/2015 color:album layer:back at:01/25/2019 color:album layer:back at:11/19/2021 color:album layer:back BarData = bar:Mikko text:"Mikko Kotamäki" bar:Juha text:"Juha Raivio" bar:Markus text:"Markus Jämsen" bar:Juho text:"Juho Räihä" bar:Honkonen text:"Matti Honkonen" bar:Pasanen text:"Pasi Pasanen" bar:Hahto text:"Kai Hahto" bar:Raatikainen text:"Juuso Raatikainen" bar:Munter text:"Aleksi Munter" bar:Peuhu text:"Jaani Peuhu" PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4) bar:Mikko from:01/01/2001 till:end color:Vocals bar:Juha from:start till:05/30/2018 color:Guitar2 bar:Juha from:05/30/2018 till:end color:Guitar bar:Markus from:01/01/2001 till:05/09/2018 color:Guitar bar:Juho from:05/30/2018 till:end color:Guitar2 bar:Honkonen from:01/01/2001 till:end color:Bass bar:Pasanen from:start till:04/01/2009 color:Drums bar:Hahto from:04/01/2009 till:12/30/2014 color:Drums bar:Raatikainen from:01/01/2015 till:end color:Drums bar:Munter from:01/01/2001 till:03/01/2016 color:Keys bar:Peuhu from:11/30/2018 till:01/08/2021 color:Keys

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Music videos

*"Descending Winters" (2005) *"Don't Fall Asleep" (2007) *"Doomed to Walk the Earth" (2007) *"Falling World" (2009) *"Cathedral Walls" (2012) *"Rooms and Shadows" (2015) *"Lumina Aurea" (2018) *"Firelights" (2019) *"Woven into Sorrow" (2021) *"Enemy" (2021) *"The Void" (2021) *"This House Has No Home" (2021)

Demos

* ''Out of This Gloomy Light'' (2003)

References

External links

Official web siteOfficial Fan ClubInterview with Juha Raivio and Matti Honkonen
received on 08/09/2010
Interview with Juha Raivio for "Emerald Forest and the Blackbird"
published on 02/25/2012 {{Authority control Finnish doom metal musical groups Finnish melodic death metal musical groups Musical groups established in 2000