Review Summary: With this EP, Swan of Tuonela prove that emoviolence is alive and well.
While it's almost commonplace for modern skramz bands to incorporate post-rock elements in their music, many seem unable to create a sound that is satisfyingly passionate, atmospheric and unique. There are so many of these bands coming out the woodwork that sifting through them for something noteworthy is chore-like, and listeners who are already biased against modern screamo music in general have little motivation to delve any deeper than surface level. Swan of Tuonela have crafted a sound reminiscent of earlier emoviolence bands such as Pg. 99 et al. while still utilizing elements of other genres creatively, demonstrating that chaotic screamo still has potential to grow amidst the plethora of formulaic, twinkly emo revival bands.
an incomplete portrait is Swan of Tuonela's most recent effort, and wastes absolutely no time during its twelve minute run. The EP opens with "life's work", which begins with a maddening shrill tone that, while only a few seconds long, feels comparable to the grim foreboding of watching an oncoming train helplessly. The song then hits the listener relentlessly, as the vocalist and guitarist erupt into sheer chaos, creating a tone that is both frantic and tormented. "you were the first" is the EP's flagship and, given the comparatively long run time, is the only track allowing the atmospheric qualities to reach fruition. Conversely, the vocals rely a bit too heavily on one particular tone in the second half of the song. The guitarist and bassist lay the foundation on this track, bolstering the vocalist. The bass work is dark, pulsating and droning; this is probably the most subtle aspect of this EP, and could be easily overlooked, but truly helps add another dimension to SoT's sound. "you were the first" is placed strategically in the track order. Herein lies a fault: while
an incomplete portrait is a strong, dynamic EP from a promising band, it is not without redundancy. The third song "in translation" follows the formula of the opening track a little too closely. While the specific elements vary, and the song is strong in its own right, the overall impact of the song is the same as "life's work". If SoT had made the track more brooding, atmospheric and subtle, the flow into the EP's closer would have been more satisfying. Nonetheless, "i am there with you, in the garden" brings the album to a close, and leaves a strong impression. The final minute is glorious, as we see every member come unhinged.
While Swan of Tuonela have yet to transcend their predecessors, it is evident that fans of the more chaotic brand of screamo still have much to look forward to.
