Swansong – Awakening
Reviewed by: Blake Mossey
Review Score: 9.0
Awakening the debut album from Finnish band Swansong is a captivating and promising foray onto the Metal scene. Combining elements of melodic death metal, black metal, folk metal and some progressive elements thrown in. Featuring the ferocious female vocals of Jemiina and twin guitar attack from Topi Pitkänen and Tuomos Leskinen and rounded out with the bass of Lauri Huovinen and drummer Jimi Myöhänen.
Founded in 2020 and featuring experienced musicians from bands such as Verjnuarmu, Tornado, Carnal Demise and Sadistic Forest.
Personally for myself I don’t write a lot of reviews so I am very picky on what I choose to review. Not a lot has excited me in 2023 but this one stands out for me near the top of 2023 in Metal. There is no let up on these 11 tracks. Being mostly in the melodic death metal category and female vocals there is going to be comparisons to bands like Arch Enemy which you certainly pick up on, but I would go back to the Angela Gossow days over the current Arch Enemy as Jemiina’s vocals are non stop in your face with no slowing down for any clean singing. No ballads or anything close to one. Her screeching at the end of the track ‘Fight Or Die’ is chilling.
The guitar attack has some flashes of Iron Maiden influences. With some guitar harmonies and a little galloping. But also some heavy thrash like riffs mixed in and so many amazing leads and solos give me the progressive elements of this release.
They don’t stick to one formula with their songs. Usually you can tell where a song is headed but Swansong is always changing things up. On my first listen a few songs started out not to flashy and I thought this sounds like a weak song, but then this is when the change jumps in with some heavier thrashy riffs or amazing leads to save the songs. Because of that I can’t find a weak song on the album.
My favourite tracks are ‘Become’, ‘One With The Waves’, closer ‘Fury Of The Witch’ and my favourite track on the album ‘Shot In The Heart’ which combines every element they have in one track.
In conclusion, the distinctive fusion of metal styles and the unbridled energy infused into each track by Swansong resonates with me, creating a lasting and impactful impression. One of my favourite albums I have heard in a long time. Check them out below.
Swansong are:
Vocals: Jemiina
Guitar: Topi Pitkänen
Guitar: Tuomas Leskinen
Bass: Lauri Huovinen
Drums: Jimi Myöhänen
For more info visit:
https://www.facebook.com/officialswansong
https://www.instagram.com/officialswansong/
http://nobledemon.com
Awakening drops December 1st on Noble Demon Records