Emerald Forest and the Blackbird
Swallow the Sun · 2012
67 min · 10 tracks · doom metal
A haunting blend of atmospheric doom metal, weaving intricate melodies with melancholic themes that evoke deep introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Emerald Forest and the Blackbird — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, showcasing lush instrumentation and layered vocals that create a rich tapestry of sound, inviting listeners into its darkly poetic world.
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Cathedral Walls — This track stands out with its dynamic shifts between serene melodies and crushing riffs, exemplifying the band's ability to balance beauty with heaviness.
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Hate, Lead the Way! — With its aggressive tone and driving rhythm, this song represents a raw emotional outburst that contrasts sharply with the more atmospheric moments found throughout the album.
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April 14th — The lengthy composition features haunting melodies and a gradual build-up that culminates in an intense crescendo, illustrating Swallow the Sun's mastery of storytelling through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate melodies and dynamic shifts create an engaging yet introspective listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, atmospheric build that lasts over three minutes before introducing vocals, setting a tone of anticipation.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections where melody lines intertwine, creating a layered soundscape that emphasizes the melancholic themes.
- The album includes shifts in dynamics, with moments of intense heaviness followed by quieter, reflective passages that allow for emotional contrast.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies for introspection
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- wave-like pacing demands attention
- melancholic themes of nature's vastness
- cathartic release through heavy sound
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2012, Emerald Forest and the Blackbird is Swallow the Sun's fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed 2007 record, Hope. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their signature sound characterized by a mix of melodic death metal and atmospheric elements, which would define their artistry moving forward.
- Stylistic neighbors
- My Dying Bride· Anathema· Paradise Lost
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Emerald Forest and the Blackbird 9:58
- 2 This Cut Is the Deepest 5:21
- 3 Hate, Lead the Way! 6:14
- 4 Cathedral Walls 6:54
- 5 Hearts Wide Shut 5:56
- 6 Silent Towers 4:01
- 7 Labyrinth of London (Horror, Part IV) 8:29
- 8 Of Death and Corruption 5:00
- 9 April 14th 8:29
- 10 Night Will Forgive Us 6:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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