I can’t imagine being a heavy-minded label, hearing these two songs from Helsinki doom rockers Swarm, and not immediately wanting to sign the band. Between the dense, lumbering heft of their riffs, readily familiar but distinguished with an undertone of metal that is more fully realized in the guitar solos, and the dynamic vocal arrangements led by Hilja Vedenpää, Swarm call to mind the somehow floating largesse of Elephant Tree and a perhaps more of-genre take on the emotive doom of Pallbearer.

The nine-minute “Sun is the One” is resonant and patient even through its post-midpoint tempo kick, and it turns reliably back toward its slower hook with marked fluidity. At about a third of the runtime, the softly-delivered “Weight” plays claim to folk balladeering, more internationally informed than Finnish in style, but richly melodic and spacious in a way that reminds just how much room they have to fill and how they do so when they choose.

Swarm‘s self-titled EP (review here) was well received in 2022. This two-songer says to me that’s no fluke and that the potential here is even greater than the EP hinted. Debut album, please.

Tracks are streaming on the player at the bottom of this post. Release info follows with the Bandcamp update. Enjoy.

“Hey guys!

Here´s our new single which contains two songs, Sun Is The One and Weight.

We are very excited and happy of this moment at hand, it was a long wait. So, here you go, kick back and have a listen.

Thank you for the support that you´ve shown us, it really means the world to our band. Much love.

Have a good one! – Swarm”

Tracklisting:
1. Sun Is The One 09:11
2. Weight 03:21

Swarm:
Hilja Vedenpää : Vox
Panu Willman : Guitar & vox
Dani Paajanen : Drums
Einari Toiviainen : Guitar & vox
Leo Lehtonen : Bass & synth

http://www.facebook.com/swarmgaze
http://www.instagram.com/swarmgaze
https://swarmgaze.bandcamp.com/album/

Swarm, Sun is the One / Weight