When a Shadow Is Forced into the Light
Swallow the Sun · 2019
52 min · 8 tracks · doom metal
A haunting blend of melodic doom metal and atmospheric soundscapes that evoke both despair and beauty.
Top tracks — play these first
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When a Shadow Is Forced Into the Light — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of struggle and hope through its expansive structure and emotive melodies, serving as a perfect introduction to the record's atmosphere.
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The Crimson Crown — This track features intricate guitar work and shifts between ethereal passages and heavier sections, highlighting the band's ability to balance melody with heaviness effectively.
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Firelights — With its poignant lyrics and dynamic composition, this song stands out for its reflective quality, conveying a deep sense of longing that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends atmospheric elements with heavy riffs, creating a distinct sound within the doom metal genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lengthy title track that gradually builds intensity, layering guitars and keyboards to create an atmospheric soundscape.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that allow for atmospheric exploration, often leading into heavy, distorted riffs.
- The lyrics are introspective and often melancholic, with vocal delivery alternating between clean singing and harsh growls, enhancing the emotional weight of the music.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When a Shadow Is Forced into the Light marks Swallow the Sun's sixth studio album, following their 2015 release, Songs from the North I, II & III. At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation in the doom metal genre with a distinct focus on blending melodic elements with darker themes. The album's arrival was a pivotal moment as it showcased their continued evolution and maturity in songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- My Dying Bride· Anathema· Paradise Lost
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 When a Shadow Is Forced Into the Light 7:28
- 2 The Crimson Crown 7:57
- 3 Firelights 5:41
- 4 Upon the Water 6:16
- 5 Stone Wings 6:55
- 6 Clouds on Your Side 4:46
- 7 Here on the Black Earth 5:39
- 8 Never Left 7:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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