Plague of Butterflies
Swallow the Sun · 2008
60 min · 5 tracks · doom metal
A haunting blend of atmospheric doom metal and melancholic melodies, evoking a sense of existential despair and beauty.
Top tracks — play these first
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Plague of Butterflies: I. Losing the Sunsets / II. Plague of Butterflies / III. Evael — This expansive track serves as the centerpiece of the album, weaving together elements of despair and beauty through its shifting dynamics and atmospheric layers.
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Through Her Silvery Body (demo) — This demo showcases a rawer version of the band's sound, highlighting their ability to evoke emotion with minimalistic instrumentation before building into heavier passages.
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Out of This Gloomy Light (demo) — The demo captures a profound sense of longing and introspection with its melodic progressions, exemplifying the band's lyrical themes of loss and sorrow.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases intricate compositions and a blend of atmospheric elements typical of doom metal, but its demo tracks disrupt cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first track is a ten-minute suite divided into three distinct sections, each shifting in tempo and mood while maintaining thematic continuity.
- The demos included at the end feature rawer production and less complexity compared to the main track, highlighting the evolution of the band's sound.
- The album employs layered guitar harmonies and atmospheric keyboards that create a dense, immersive soundscape throughout its duration.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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 that linger
- gradual build to emotional release
- immersive listening for introspection
- evocative soundscapes for solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer upbeat tempos
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Plague of Butterflies' was released in 2008, Swallow the Sun had established themselves as a prominent force within the Finnish doom metal scene. This album marked their fourth studio release, following their 2007 effort 'Hope', showcasing a matured sound that deepened their exploration of melancholy and darkness.
- Stylistic neighbors
- My Dying Bride· Anathema· Paradise Lost
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Plague of Butterflies: I. Losing the Sunsets / II. Plague of Butterflies / III. Evael 10:00 34:42
- 2 Through Her Silvery Body (demo) 8:01
- 3 Out of This Gloomy Light (demo) 5:34
- 4 Swallow (demo) 5:27
- 5 Under the Waves (demo) 6:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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