Ultimate stoner/doom portal The Obelisk is currently hosting a stream of SWALLOW THE SUN‘s “Emerald Forest and the Blackbird,” the title track off their upcoming new full-length. Set for North American release on September 4, 2012 via Spinefarm Records U.S., the 10-track offering was recorded during September and October 2011 by Mikko Karmila (Nightwish, Amorphis, Children Of Bodom) at Drumforest Studios in Viitasaari and Sonic Pump 2 in Helsinki, and by Hannu Honkonen at Noisework Studios in Helsinki, also in Helsinki. The effort was mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa (Him, Apocalyptica, Amorphis, Moonspell) and mastered by Mika Jussila (Nightwish, Amorphis, Sentenced) at Finnvox Studios and includes a guest appearance by Nightwish singer Anette Olzon (on “Cathedral Walls”).
In commenting on the track, the band, notorious for their lyrical correlations to Twin Peaks, quoted a line from the series: “As the night wind blows, the boughs move to and fro. The rustling, themagic rustling that brings on the dark dream. The dream of suffering and pain.”
Witness “Emerald Forest and the Blackbird” RIGHT HERE.
Emerald Forest and the Blackbird entered the official Finland charts at position No. 2 upon its European release. Global Domination championed the record for its juggling of “disparate elements such as beautiful melody, lumbering, doomy riffs, black/death-growling, and a mood of gothy melancholy in such a way that no one aspect ever comes to overshadow the others,” while This Is Not A Scene noted plainly, “…rarely has being so sad felt so happy.” Adds The Obelisk: “Over the course of their five albums, the band has crafted increasingly intricate and lush melodies offset by brutal growling, mournful plod and a flair for the emotionally epic. Their songs bear the weight of loss, perhaps most of all on their latest outing, Emerald Forest and the Blackbird.”
In conjunction with Emerald Forest and the Blackbird‘s street date, the Finnish death/doom collective will tour stateside this Fall supporting German metal legends Kreator and Accept! The North American Teutonic Terror Attack will commence on September 5, 2012 in Washington D.C. and ravage its way through 23 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Additional support will come from Canadian death metallers Blackguard.
SWALLOW THE SUN – Teutonic Terror Attack 2012
w/ Kreator, Accept, Blackguard
09/05/2012 Howard Theater – Washington, D.C.
09/06/2012 The Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA
09/07/2012 Best Buy Theater – New York, NY
09/08/2012 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
09/10/2012 Metropolis – Montreal, QC
09/11/2012 Imperial de Quebec – Quebec City, QC
09/12/2012 Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON
09/14/2012 Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
09/15/2012 Mojoe’s – Joliet, IL
09/16/2012 The Beaumont Club – Kansas City, MO
09/18/2012 Gothic Theater – Englewood, CO
09/19/2012 The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
09/21/2012 Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, B.C.
09/22/2012 Showbox at the Market – Seattle, WA
09/23/2012 Roseland Theater – Portland, OR
09/25/2012 The Grand Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
09/26/2012 The Avalon – Hollywood, CA
09/27/2012 The Grove – Anaheim, CA
09/28/2012 Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
09/30/2012 Emo’s East – Austin, TX
10/01/2012 Trees – Dallas, TX
10/02/2012 House Of Blues – New Orleans, LA
10/04/2012 Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC