Swallow The Sun

Kuolemanlaakso cover

Kuolemanlaakso – Tulijoutsen

The most obvious thing about Kuolemanlaakso’s Tulijoutsen is that it’s another collection of doomy, slow-moving metal from Finland, one that will certainly reinforce the stereotype…

Katatonia / Orphaned Land / Swallow The Sun @ The Opera House, Toronto ON, September 13 2010

“Vocalist Jonas Renkse is at once physically imposing and intensely vulnerable. He cradles the mic in his hands almost pleadingly, offering his voice to the audience. I found him completely mesmerizing. It was also a great joy to watch Anders Nystrom perform in person. He’s a wiry-framed and incredibly intense musician, his sinews as tautly drawn as guitar strings, fully embodying his instrument.”

Natalie Zed documents an evening of rather emotional music (in all directions) as Katatonia, Orphaned Land and Swallow the Sun recently invaded Toronto.

Photo Gallery: Katatonia / Orphaned Land / Swallow the Sun @ The Opera House, Toronto ON, September 14, 2010

On Monday, September 14, one of my most anticipated shows of the summer arrived in town – the New Night Over America tour – consisting of the powerhouse lineup of Finland’s Swallow the Sun, Israel’s Orphaned Land, and Sweden’s Katatonia. By far one of the best shows of the year, I was lucky enough to be there to visually document the evening. A more detailed review of the show will be coming up shortly by Hellbound’s live review extraordinaire, Natalie Zed. Until then, here’s some photos to hold you over in the mean time.

Barren Earth: When the Prog/Metal Fusion Works Out Right…

“We all listen to progressive rock, so it’s natural that it comes across in the music. It was clear from the start that progressive elements would be featured in the band’s sound. And that was the reason for me to join. I remember seeing Opeth in 2006, and being very impressed by not just the music, but the whole presentation, and the juxtaposition of metal and prog. I thought then that this is would be an interesting musical path to explore. And Barren Earth has provided me with that path.”

Laura Wiebe Taylor in conversation with Barren Earth keyboardist Kasper Mårtenson about the band’s creation, their debut full-length album and more, exclusively for Hellbound.ca