I think it's safe to say that I am a fan of the Finnish metal scene. If you were not aware, Finland has some good record labels that consistently put out quality releases, such as Spinefarm (think of all the most popular Finnish bands - Charon, Children of Bodom, Finntroll, Ajattara, Ensiferum, Nightwish, Moonsorrow, To/Die/For are some examples), Woodcut Records (some good Black Metal like Horna, Sethery or Alghazanth, Death Metal like Sotajumala or Atakhama), and Firebox Records (The Eternal, Tyranny, Swallow the Sun, Total Devastation, Terhen to name a few). Dark the Suns is a newbie for Firebox and I am pleased that we at the Asylum received something from this label.

So, what does DtS sound like? It is a faster paced death doom. There is a heavy keyboard (but not overpowering) presence. Mikko Ojala's vocals are thicker than most doom vocals, similar in style to Paul Kuhr of November's Doom. There are some cleaner whispered vocals as well which add more atmosphere to the songs ('Alone').

The keyboards do not detract from the music and DtS are not overly reliant upon them. In fact, DtS seem like a faster more upbeat version of My Dying Bride if Paul Kuhr was singing for them. The faster pace of the rhythm does not diminish the overall melancholic nature of the songs. It seems to add a certain sense of urgency, like it is necessary to answer the cry before the cry is gone for good.

Finland is known for its' suicidal death doom (see Skepticism for example), DtS, while utilizing death growled vocals, does not ever reach the depths that suicidal death doom does. For one, the songs are just a little too fast for that.

Secondly, DtS's songs carry a trace of hopefulness in them. I think the keyboards add this flavor (see 'Angel Soul') and provide that illusion of hope.

One might be inclined to compare DtS to Swallow the Sun, but this would be an erroneous judgment. Swallow the Sun are in a criteria all there own and DtS have their own sound. If anything, DTS hark back to early Paradise Lost in the sound similarity. Yet, let this not deter you from checking them out.

Dark the Suns are a worthy doom metal band for those whole like their doom a little faster paced.