SHOW REVIEW: SWALLOW THE SUN, HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY, GHOST BATH, SNAKES OF RUSSIA – FEB. 28, 2025, ORLANDO FL

(Daniel Barkasi provided us the following wonderful report on the February 28 Orlando stop of Swallow the Sun‘s recently completed U.S. tour with Harakiri for the Sky, Ghost Bath, and Snakes of Russia, accompanied by the wonderful photos of Brittany Barkasi @Turn off the Thunder.)

Personally, Swallow the Sun is a band that has meant quite a bit over the years, both to myself and many friends – memories that will never fade. A good friend even made merch in the form of necklaces and keychains for this very tour, which are super high quality and wholly unique. For yours truly, ever since having my blackened heart soothed by The Morning Never Came in 2003, these Finns have been a constant in the listening rotation.

I first caught them live in September of 2007 (17-½ years ago – time is damn cruel) on what now has to be described as a dream tour, with Katatonia headlining, and Insomnium, Scar Symmetry, and Swallow the Sun supporting. Hard to imagine that tour was real, but for me and a bunch of others in the old Peabody’s (miss that place) in Cleveland, it was quite an affirming event. Since then, we’ve managed to see them a bunch of times, and when the opportunity arises, it’s one that we can’t turn down.

Adding to the allure of the melodic death/doom legends were Harakiri for the Sky, the post-black stalwarts who have eluded me for quite some time. Add to that the pummeling sounds of Ghost Bath and the dark electronics of Snakes of Russia, and we had a varied collection of fantastic acts to take in.

So off to Orlando we trekked to a usual landing spot in central Florida – the incredible Conduit – for a memorable evening of heart-wrenching musicality.

 

Snakes of Russia

https://www.facebook.com/snakesofrussia

Proceedings began with the dark, electronic/synth sounds of Snakes of Russia – a solo project by Joseph Holiday that is a unique, thick, and thunderous convergence of catchy and powerful soundwaves. Having seen him once before in 2023 with the inimitable and sadly now defunct Not My God, we were excited for another round with this talented creator.

Some may say Snakes of Russia’s presence is somewhat surprising on a tour package such as this, but in actuality, their sonic profile fits like a glove. It makes this writer happy to see a project of this ilk being able to get in front of a potentially high percentage of new listeners.

The presence created was monstrous – rumbling the foundations of the Conduit with surgical precision. Holiday blasted through his assemblage of fierce ambient tracks with a steadfast focus and a massive audible presence – a not easily achieved feat for a solo artist, as this frequent attendee of many live electronic musical expositions can attest. It’s not simple to turn a crowd’s attention in this kind of setup, and Snakes of Russia dutifully does so with startling ease.

For those both in the know and unfamiliar, Snakes of Russia managed to firmly grab the attention of the growing crowd with an entrancing set of menacing vibrations. Indeed a profound way to start off on the right path, and we look forward to seeing more in the hopefully not-so-distant future.

 

Ghost Bath

https://www.facebook.com/blackghostbath

North Dakota’s downtrodden post-black metallers Ghost Bath jumped onto our radar in 2021 with Self Loather, after which we then dove into their full catalogue – with Moonlover in particular being a standout – though we found much to envelope oneself in via all of their four full-lengths and single debut EP. With a new record on the books for May in the form of Rose Thorn Necklace, and having toured with Ov Sulfur and Mental Cruelty last year, they’ve managed to get in front of a variety of audiences. Hell, they even toured with Harakiri for the Sky back in 2023, so now seeing them re-join forces a little under two years later.

Wasting zero seconds to unabashedly introduce themselves, vocalist/guitarist Dennis Mikula shouted, “We’re Ghost Bath, and we’re going to play some rock ‘n’ roll songs about killing ourselves.” What was to follow was an unrelenting, crushing clinic that even took this seasoned vet aback with the overt and direct forcefulness of their live presentation.

Especially prevalent is the band’s triple guitar onslaught, adding a robust punch to their sound, reaping the rewards especially in a live setting. Tracks new and old were backed by an unrelenting energy, with the ensemble putting their entire selves into every note. “Rose Thorn Necklace” from the upcoming new record exploded into a fury, whilst numbers such as “Death and the Maiden” wove their way into the crowd’s collective consciousness.

Another major centerpiece are Mikula’s expressive vocals; highly differentiating on album, his howls and roars were not only heard, but felt by the packed audience. The band truly put in so much sheer effort into their appearances, that it’s impossible to not be drawn into their ethos.

Our inaugural Ghost Bath experience was indeed an overtly phenomenal one, with the group portraying their raw, dreary black metal tones by way of never-ending outbursts of spirit that never once dissipated. A few friends in attendance who hadn’t listened to them previously were immediately impressed enough to pick up an album from the band after their appearance was completed. If the reaction on this night and the high quality of their new single are any indication, Ghost Bath will continue to make their mark onto the scene with purpose.

 

Harakiri for the Sky

https://www.facebook.com/HarakiriForTheSky

Having long been a band we’ve admired from afar, Harakiri for the Sky have proven elusive to catch live. The aforementioned tour with Ghost Bath was one that wasn’t within a doable driving distance or our ability to travel at the time, thus missing the opportunity to catch a band that we’ve been ardent supporters of since their inspiring self-titled debut back in 2012. This time, however, the dimly lit stars finally aligned.

Their recently released sixth album (not counting the 2022 re-recordings of their first two records) Scorched Earth has been a regular listen this calendar year, itself being a fiery-yet-gorgeous example of how hard post-black metal hits when it’s composed so expertly. In turn, their gig started with “Keep Me Longing” and “With Autumn I’ll Surrender” from said album, deploying a pervasive, refined atmosphere that few could invoke in such a commanding fashion.

Harkening back to Arson was a personal highlight in the effusive, stinging “Fire, Walk with Me.” Vocalist J.J. screamed with emotive heft and unrestrained fervor throughout the full performance, however, it was especially felt here for yours truly. The highly personal and soul-splitting “Without You I’m Just a Sad Song” decisively kept the beautifully dismal aura blazing forward. The guitar lead is imprinted in my skull; likely the most memorable of their latest. Of course, Harakiri for the Sky has always purported a heavy, distressed feeling within their music, and Scorched Earth doubtlessly continues that tradition, with the cuts from said album all being textured, powerful inclusions into the band’s production.

The remainder consisted of two older selections, much to the delight of the long-time followers in the sea of sweaty humans. “Calling the Rain” from III: Trauma slashed very deep, smoldering the crowd by way of energetic crescendos and reflective moments. During which, the wife’s Apple watch gave a warning of a decibel level exceeding 100 – fitting and amusing. “Sing for the Damage We’ve Done” would conclude; the lone entry from Mære, and we’d argue a damn near perfect way to complete the band’s hour-long showcase, encapsulating everything Harakiri for the Sky is about in a pulsating eight-minute piece.

Unsurprisingly, our first experience with Harakiri for the Sky in the flesh was a profound one; a layered, energetic, nuanced showing by a band that continues to impact their audience with every downbeat note. If you’re as enraptured with their recorded work as we are, a live viewing proves to make one become further allured by their majestic conjurings.

 

Swallow the Sun

https://www.facebook.com/swallowthesun

Finnish death/doom stalwarts Swallow the Sun have been on a most intriguing career trajectory. Their latest Shining was covered here by our own DGR, and we’re definitely aligned on their movement towards the gothic/depressive rock spectrum. Predecessor Moonflowers embraced those hints without going fully all-in, whereas Shining went almost full immersion.

Granted, as a huge fan of depressive rock – Shamrain for example is an outstanding all-timer – I particularly enjoy an unrestrained, raw aesthetic. Without question, Swallow the Sun has accomplished that sort of overarching feeling since the whole ride began in 2003, and over time Shining has displayed said elements more expressively, and it’s an album where further discoveries are still being made. We entered with the hope that witnessing these songs in person would provide an increased punch of vitality, and like the dozen or so times we’ve enjoyed their live performances, Swallow the Sun delivered a weighty, memorable account of efforts new and old.

Beginning the evening was a pair of tracks from the aforementioned Shining – “Innocence Was Long Forgotten” and “What I Have Become.” The former contains a smooth, infectious lead that slithers its way into unforgettable territory, proving a damn fine way to begin the set. Vocalist Mikko Kotamäki’s smooth croon ever-so-slightly reminds of ex-Amorphis frontman Pasi Koskinen’s work on Tuonela and Am Universum. Sounding full and vibrant, we were off to an excellent start. The latter represents one of the harsher songs on their latest, mixing plenty of deep growls amongst the cleans, providing much appreciated balance, melding the classic doom elements with the more rock-oriented.

Next on the docket was a favorite that the collective rightfully were elated to hear in “Don’t Fall Asleep (Horror Pt. II).” Instantly recognizable by the haunting chorus and dreadful atmosphere, if anyone hadn’t been captivated yet, they were now. A definite highlight, to be certain, in a headline arrangement that would have plenty of them. “Under the Moon & Sun” barreled its way through to follow; one of the band’s most complete and crafty compositions from Shining. The live rendition was further dialed up in potency; a mesmerizing ditty that nicely continued the vibe that the previous classic firmly emblazoned.

A dreary entry in “Cathedral Walls” brought down the veil of sorrow further, harkening from the wildly underrated Emerald Forest and the Blackbird. Paired up with “Woven into Sorrow” was another wise choice in song order, with the two building off of one another’s aura; a duo of the lighter sonically, but simultaneously deep and eerie concoctions.

Moving back to their latest, “Charcoal Sky” – a bit of a throwback tune that hits many of the right notes – and “MelancHoly” – the impressive build to the eponymous chorus is easy to predict, but damn it if it doesn’t take one for a journey – began the second half of Swallow the Sun’s pathway for the night, with “New Moon” sandwiched in between. This trio provides differing purviews into the band’s dynamic, all of which reminding the crowd of the long and soulful odyssey that the band have brought us along for, hitting yours truly harder than expected.  Finally, maybe, the hypnotic “Night Will Forgive Us” concluded the “regular” portion of the evening.

But of course, there is an encore! Don’t tell that to the dozen or so who left, thinking that was it. This may be the snobbish concert veteran talking, but have these folks ever been to a show? Perplexing as that scenario is, the pure goth of “November Dust” rocked and rolled those who remained – to which Kotamäki confirmed the blatantly obvious homage to Type O Negative’s October Rust – and gave a differing tone, whilst the crowd-pleasing selection “Swallow (Horror Pt. I)” gave a fitting, compelling finale via one of Swallow the Sun’s most spellbinding.

Sometimes it takes a varying perspective to aid one in appreciating an album that didn’t jump out and grab on tightly with immediacy. This spectacle made plenty of headway for yours truly; Swallow the Sun’s latest affects deeper than before, seeing the passion and fire that these – and every song presented – evoked from the band. Witnessing them live always comes at the highest of recommendations, and this instance further still engrains that statement. When combined with a dynamic and effervescent presence such as Harakiri for the Sky, the electric furor of Ghost Bath, and the dense and monolithic soundscapes of Snakes of Russia, you have a tour package that was easily worth coming out for. Sadly, at this writing the trek is near its end, but if you’re able to catch any of these bands in the future, do yourself a favor and make it happen.

Facebook:

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https://www.facebook.com/HarakiriForTheSky

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https://www.facebook.com/snakesofrussia