To give little background, this was the first song (and seperate EP) the band released after the death of Aleah Stanbridge who was Juha Raivio's partner. He wrote this track to express the feelings he felt after experiencing the passing of his partner. At the same time it's the most experimental track Swallow the Sun has released to this date.
Can you feel the pain and loneliness in this song? That's the whole point. It's not about being entertained by music and nice melodies. It's a sonic piece of art, not really a song. It's really not meant to be enjoyed. It's portraying the sheer agony of losing your loved one. For example, the parts where there is just silence and atmospherics feel like the excruciating loneliness that one feels when a loved one dies And even put aside the meaning, many people do enjoy listening to ambient, soundscapes and the sounds of the actual world (that you're hearing in the present moment). Listening to the sounds of nature. The wind, the water, the birds, the sounds of the city. That's also music in a way. Even though I am a composer myself, I don't usually approach music by analysing what's going on there. I just let myself get immersed in whatever sounds I'm hearing. Just focusing on the sensation of hearing the sounds, how they combine and whatever feelings they might arise in me. Even if it's just silence that I'm listening to I think this song is a very unique piece of sonic art and I highly appreciate it. It feels exhausting and painful to listen it through and that's what it is supposed to do
Aleah Stanbridge had a lot of influence to Swallow the sun band and other projects of the leader of the band, Juha Raivio, who was her partner. After her passing away (because of cancer) Juha fell in deep depression. Aleah was phenomenal vocalist and lyricist and she had a melodic doom project with Juha, which calls Trees of Eternity. Unfortunately, she died before the first album of the project was released. A hightly recommend the album/ It's haunting, melodic and melancholic without growls and screams. Only Aleah's unique voice. If we speak about this song, Lumina Aurea, is a mirror of Juha's sorrow and grief. However, it's also a dicision to continue living his life because, as he said, love is stronger than death. Juha organized a side project Halattar in honor of his beloved. All lyrics was written by Aleah. Music is gloomy, doomy but emotional and melodic. The first Swallow the Sun's album after Aleah's death (Whe shadow is forced into the light) was also based on Aleah's poetry. Thank you for review and reaction, Bryan. I'm always glad to see your reactions to my favorite bands and songs!
Swallow The Sun has went more into experimental direction instead of their usual doom metal music . There’s 2 versions of this song, this version and the instrumental version from “Lumina Aurea” EP. This track needs many listenings to understand the song.
To give little background, this was the first song (and seperate EP) the band released after the death of Aleah Stanbridge who was Juha Raivio's partner. He wrote this track to express the feelings he felt after experiencing the passing of his partner. At the same time it's the most experimental track Swallow the Sun has released to this date.
That puts a lot of it into context
Can you feel the pain and loneliness in this song? That's the whole point. It's not about being entertained by music and nice melodies. It's a sonic piece of art, not really a song. It's really not meant to be enjoyed. It's portraying the sheer agony of losing your loved one. For example, the parts where there is just silence and atmospherics feel like the excruciating loneliness that one feels when a loved one dies
And even put aside the meaning, many people do enjoy listening to ambient, soundscapes and the sounds of the actual world (that you're hearing in the present moment). Listening to the sounds of nature. The wind, the water, the birds, the sounds of the city. That's also music in a way. Even though I am a composer myself, I don't usually approach music by analysing what's going on there. I just let myself get immersed in whatever sounds I'm hearing. Just focusing on the sensation of hearing the sounds, how they combine and whatever feelings they might arise in me. Even if it's just silence that I'm listening to
I think this song is a very unique piece of sonic art and I highly appreciate it. It feels exhausting and painful to listen it through and that's what it is supposed to do
Aleah Stanbridge had a lot of influence to Swallow the sun band and other projects of the leader of the band, Juha Raivio, who was her partner.
After her passing away (because of cancer) Juha fell in deep depression. Aleah was phenomenal vocalist and lyricist and she had a melodic doom project with Juha, which calls Trees of Eternity. Unfortunately, she died before the first album of the project was released. A hightly recommend the album/ It's haunting, melodic and melancholic without growls and screams. Only Aleah's unique voice.
If we speak about this song, Lumina Aurea, is a mirror of Juha's sorrow and grief. However, it's also a dicision to continue living his life because, as he said, love is stronger than death.
Juha organized a side project Halattar in honor of his beloved. All lyrics was written by Aleah. Music is gloomy, doomy but emotional and melodic.
The first Swallow the Sun's album after Aleah's death (Whe shadow is forced into the light) was also based on Aleah's poetry.
Thank you for review and reaction, Bryan. I'm always glad to see your reactions to my favorite bands and songs!
I think the sound at the end is swan singing.
Swallow The Sun has went more into experimental direction instead of their usual doom metal music . There’s 2 versions of this song, this version and the instrumental version from “Lumina Aurea” EP. This track needs many listenings to understand the song.