Customer Reviews

Hope

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the disappointing "Ghosts of Loss" I very nearly washed my hands of this band. But then I remembered their debut album "The Morning Never Came" was magnificent Doom Metal of the highest quality and I decided to give these guys another chance. Their third album "Hope" is dark, oppressive Doom Metal that very nearly rekindles the magic of their debut release, though at times there are sections that drone on a bit too long and become boring much like their second album "Ghosts of Loss". These moments are infrequent, however, so the majority of the album is recommendable. "Hope" is solid Doom Metal, though rarely amazing, it flows along pitch black waves of rage and loss occassionally mixing the two together into a tidal surge of crushing depression.

This CD is one of my favs of the year...If you like your metal dark, depressing but melodic than this is the cd for you. Great Guitar melodies, Keyboards give that great dark atmosphere...Growling vox give the dark aspect of this music, and the clean vox are haunting.. production of this cd is top knotch, bass is loud and clean, guitars are most powerful and vocal tracks are simply awesome. if you are new to the doom genre than this is a "MUST HAVE" ( Katatonia, My Dying Bride Fans will like it )

Anyone who's heard "Ghosts Of Loss" or the magnificent "The Morning Never Came" should be perfectly familiar with Swallow The Sun's sound by now: dark, depressive, doom metal with some melody. "Hope" sees the band expanding on their palette with faster songs (well, for a doom band) and a greater emphasis on clean vocals.

For the most part, "Hope" is excellent. From opening title track to the final wretched notes of "Doomed To Walk The Earth", "Hope" takes you to a place where you feel, well, hopeless. The songs are absolutely drenched in atmosphere with ominous yet beautiful guitar riffs (check out the opening riff on the title track), alternating brutal death growls and clean vocals, and subtle use of keyboards. "The Justice Of Suffering" even features a stunning chorus sung by Jonas Renske of Katatonia.

While I wouldn't say it's as good as "The Morning Never Came", "Hope" is still a phenomenal album. It's more accessible than their previous works, yet it doesn't sacrifice Swallow The Sun's core sound. If you're a fan of doom metal or just metal in general, you owe it to yourself to check this out.

This album is like 'the morning never came'. True dark doom metal. No useless rings and bells, no soft women voices just deep mature emotions, anger, draft and passion. Can't really find a better doom metal band. Hope they will release more of that.

If you put in a blender a little bit of sadness, hate, anger, and a lot of musical talent, you will get Hope, an awsome Masterpice

I'd like to start of by stating that I enjoy bands like Opeth, Ahab and November's Doom. My review is from that perspective.

This is the first album I bought from the band; they were recommended to me by a friend. This album is amazing. From the first track, I was hooked. The opener starts off quiet and then explodes in to a heavy, catchy riff. I personally enjoy the contrasting clean and harsh vocals. The first song is a perfect example of this contrast combining to create one amazing song. The album is full of these amazing songs. My two favorite songs are "Hope" and "The Justice Of Suffering." Since these two songs are number 1 and 3 on the album, respectively, I didn't end up listening to the entire CD for a couple of days.

If you only enjoy clean vocals, this album is definitely not for you.

If you only enjoy harsh vocals, you might want to consider "The Morning Never Came."

If you enjoy a combination of both, this album is perfect.

I've never been a big fan of doom metal, as it always seems to rely on the same cheesy 80s progressions, and tends to be predictable.

"Hope" by Swallow the Sun ends that stereotype.

In this album, I find a perfectly satisfying balance of immeasurable sadness, darkness, and heaviness. It somehow fulfills a need inside me to identify these emotions and dwell there for awhile.

There is not a single song on here that I skip over, and when I decide to listen to it (which is often), I listen from start to finish. The crown jewel is "The Empty Skies," which somehow represents, in my mind, the most beautiful death one could hope for.

Surprisingly complex, this album is a must for anyone who loves intelligent metal and likes to wallow from time to time.

I'll keep this short and to the point. This is top quality doom metal--on the level with My Dying Bride. It's rare to find bands this good these days. Buy the album; you won't regret it!

Another piece of paper hot out of a printer, it seems StS is more or less a copy from the originals, and molds fairly non-distinctively to contemporaries, as many seem to note. Though I must say, I hear some places that have promise and groove....I did hold out hope as long as I could, though based on the things I list, I decided it's not quite worth a purchase....

You've got to be warned, again, that this isn't pure doom, it's another forced-squish of death and doom...and the clean vocals make a butter knife seem sharp. As such, just when the song builds up through the sometimes dull intros and gets to the top of the mountain, you hear every other death/doom band popping its familiar head into the door. I'd have to say that many of the songs don't build, but rather seem to tear down. It leaves me with a bit of an unsatisfied feeling...as if to say, "when is it going to happen?"

Songs like, "The Empty Skies" just remind you of a brat that has to leave a candy store too soon. By contrast,"Hours of Despair" and "Hope" do jam pretty well ,though.

Hummmm.......