A Swarm of the Sun may be rooted in metal, but their music transcends genre conventions, relying as much on atmosphere and tone as it does on aggression and complexity. The Swedish duo, Jakob Berglund and Erik Nilsson, craft soundscapes that blend feedback, power chords, quiet-loud dynamics, and vocals that drift between spoken word and subtle singing.
Their latest release, An Empire (out via Pelagic Records), is an exploration that looks both inward and outward—reaching into cosmic realms while remaining grounded in human emotion. It’s an ambitious album, one that doesn’t reveal itself immediately but rather pulls the listener in with waves of hypnotic sound. The tracks blur together as aggressive post-metal riffs give way to long, meditative stretches of ambiance. Lesser artists might have let this approach dissolve into formlessness, but A Swarm of the Sun harnesses this ebb and flow to create something cohesive, using bipolar shifts in tone to mirror the sheer power of their minimalist metallic art.
Berglund’s anguished vocals punctuate the instrumental tension that builds and inflates slowly over the album’s 72-minute runtime. Collaborators like Karl Daniel Lidén (drums, mixing/mastering), Anders Carlström (bass), and Minna Larsson Heimo (pipe organ) drift in and out, adding depth to the arrangements. “The Pyre,” one of two 18-minute epics, doesn’t so much progress as it evolves, beginning with ethereal melodies and building toward a finale of a droning synth that suggests spiritual rebirth.
Across these six tracks, A Swarm of the Sun’s confidence is palpable. They do not rush; they know precisely where to venture, what dark corners to probe, what hidden spaces lead to both enlightenment and nothingness. On An Empire, the duo is in full control, creating an album that is as explosive and adventurous as their previous efforts but marked by a refined sense of command over their sonic world.
The pacing is deliberate and circular throughout. Produced and engineered by Berglund and Nilsson, the music may feel measured, but it pulses with both beauty and ferocity. The guitar work, in particular, stands out, offering a sound unlike anything else in metal or underground rock. “This Will End in Fire,” the opening track, uses shimmering organ as its backbone, while Berglund’s vocals serve more as an additional instrument, guiding the song through moments of tension and release.
“The Pyre” and the closing track “Anthem” encapsulate the essence of the album, their brutality balanced by a haunting sensuality. “Anthem” provides a glimpse into the void—a space that is at once full and empty, pursued relentlessly throughout An Empire.
While others may attempt to replicate A Swarm of the Sun‘s sound, few can truly match its depth and uniqueness. The patience and discipline required to build and then destroy a sonic world is beyond the reach of most bands. From the beginning, they’ve been onto something, and with An Empire, they dive headfirst into the darkness, clawing until there is nothing left but silence.
Initially, An Empire might seem hazy and opaque, but clarity emerges with repeated listening, provided you’re willing to surrender to its pull. It’s a masterful blend of noise and melody, an all-encompassing journey into the depths of the mind and earth that transcends genre. It is a triumph.
An Empire is out now via Pelagic Records. Order the album from Bandcamp here. Follow A Swarm of the Sun on Facebook and Instagram.
Initially, An Empire might seem hazy and opaque, but clarity emerges with repeated listening, provided you’re willing to surrender to its pull. It’s a masterful blend of noise and melody, an all-encompassing journey into the depths of the mind and earth that transcends genre. It is a triumph.
