A Swarm of the Sun - The Woods REVIEW

Sweden's A Swarm of the Sun is a two-piece post-rock band that has been slept on by me this year. I initially heard their third and most recent full-length effort, The Woods, far earlier in the last 8 months, where I appreciated it greatly for its mix of melancholic and isolating atmospheric rock with churning post-metal riffs. However, similar to many January releases, it was lost to me in the back catalog of my massive spreadsheet of albums I push myself to listen to this year. 

When I finally revisited this album, I was very glad to be doing so. Each of the three thirteen minute tracks on this release is a spiraling and grueling experience made up of a lonely and depressing descent into the band's mind. While not as direct in its approach to sadness as An Isolated Mind's 2019 release (which we reviewed and can be read here), it is similarly emotional to the listener's core. I'm Losing Myself is chaotic, abrasive and conflicting in sound, The Woods is serene, calming and creates a feeling of loss and longing. These feelings culminate into two distinct sounds: The more common droning guitar and keyboard-heavy sections, and the sparse, yet expansive, atmospheric post-metal. These differing sounds compliment each other perfectly, as each provides sensational and engaging buildup to the other. 

I like to view this album as one entity, not as three songs. This is because it has a natural progression over its runtime. The first track, 'Blackout', is the slowest and quietest number, never breaking into the hard-hitting and brutish sections the other tracks each showcase. Calming piano chords are accompanied by light drums and a soft violin. Guitar slowly enters the track, and eventually, this atmosphere just builds and builds with additional instrumentation until a climax of furious, pounding drums and tremolo picking arrive. This is, additionally, the only instrumental track on the album. This perhaps intentional detail highlights the band's prowess at creating beautiful soundscapes with their instruments, where words aren't needed to describe the emotions conveyed. The riffs are sinister and hang in the air when they emerge, leaving one with chills and you patiently anticipate what is going to come next. The drumming begins timid but grows stronger over time. The anger is hopeful and frightening at the same time.

This songwriting is truly emblematic of what the band states on their Bandcamp page; '"The Woods" brings you comfort in knowing you're not alone. It wants to be a companion in the dark.'  The bleak and struggling sense of hope presented on this record penetrates the following two tracks, the self-titled ' The Woods' as well as 'An Heir To The Throne'. The first of these introduces the lead vocals from Jakob Berglund, presenting a haunting baritone, which introduces us breathily into this song. Here I realized a comparison to a band that had slipped my mind. An artist that I love yet completely forgot about in listening to this album; Wear Your Wounds. A Swarm of the Sun's most recent project is everything that I wanted Rust On The Gates of Heaven to be; quiet and depressing, but not afraid to garner intensity without surrendering the prior created atmosphere. This band showcases many similarities as well to the aforementioned post-rock bands. 

ASotS is not reinventing the wheel on their most recent album. The Woods is an extremely well written and perfectly performed album of all of the best parts of post-rock/metal. Additionally, it is a step forward for the band, as listening to their back catalog reveals a more frequent use of the heavier elements of this release. Somewhat formulaic or not, this band makes damn good post-rock that isn't afraid to break out into a full-on rage. Its dynamic range of quiet clean and heavy harsh sections show the duality of loneliness and isolation, with a sprinkle of hope culminating at certain points. But don't be fooled, this album is not here to put a smile on your face.

Final Score: "I know you must go, you'll leave us here. I want you to hear, you'll never disappear."

Favorite Tracks: They're all great, and there are only three!

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You can buy the bands music now from their Bandcamp.