SWALLOW THE SUN - Lumina Aurea (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

[@crissya5320]

This song is not for anyone to critique. This song revels in no ones opinions of how it should sound. This song was born from loss and pain, an escape, to further continue to live inside ones own grief. It's not subject for your approval. You either understand or you simply do not. Swallow The Sun doesn't owe you any contemporary means of how they wish to produce music.

[@Stallan666]

Brilliantly said. This is more than just a song. It's the human experience in musical form, accompanied by the perfect companion piece with the video.

[@belieall9974]

lmao feelin good in your self-righteous anger, crissy-sissy?

[@rastislavdian2027]

What ?????

[@davidmatos7716]

I see a lot of people complaining about the long intro. If you want to jump straight into action, look no further: the song starts at 0:00. Thank me later!

[@Frus77sh]

^^^^^ Best comment so far

[@jeffkfd9075]

It's 14 minutes of nothing. Who gives a fuck about the backstory behind it. Quit wasting my time with ambient twaddle and at least tack on some semblence of a song somewhere. Fucking stupid

[@4Recreational_Use_Only]

@@jeffkfd9075 Thank good there's Twisted Sisters "were not gonna take it" for people like you to listen to. :-)

[@SB-1947]

What action? I like SWS, but feel a little cheated with this. Their is no riffs, song structure or really anything that grabs you. Heck Bell Witchs "Mirror reaper" is how you do it and they only use a bass, drums and synth.

[@Christopheles_Doom]

Stefan B No synth. That’s all the bass.

[@flyingwhal3s]

Been on repeat since yesterday night. perfect atmosphere. For all the naysayers read below. "Lumina Aurea’ is a song I would never want to write in my life. It is an open, bleeding black wound from the last two and half years of my life. But I had to write it out. I could not back down from it. The way I wrote and recorded ‘Lumina Aurea’ was so rough emotionally and physically that I think I will never talk about it public. I know this road will go on forever as a part of me, but I have also made a peace with it-that I will never have peace with it. And that the life and the journey here must still go on for a while for those of us remaining. I knew that if I would go any deeper on that road with the album as I did with ‘Lumina Aurea,’ the path would not end well. So, I quickly realized that instead I will write an album that will manifest loud and clear that after all, ‘Love is always stronger than death.’ I wanted to find that angle for ‘When A Shadow Is Forced into the Light’. This album is like a weapon for myself. A burning light, a burning torch. Victorious and proud.” - Juha Raivio

[@rot_studios]

Music can do that. Props for him for daring to face whatever he was struggling with!

[@adamfowler5475]

Wow, talk about such a genuine commentary on the reason behind writing a song...There aren't enough painfully honest expressions like this out there...Soulful.

[@ktosomcosom19]

I believe this has a lot to do with Aleah's illness, and her death...

[@wilfordgrimley4339]

@@ktosomcosom19 what happened?

[@Dragostini420]

@@wilfordgrimley4339 She died, Cancer. I believe about 3 years ago.

[@epsilon-joe_9286]

This cinematography and landscape is insane

[@helOcookie]

Looks like they filmed at Hossa national park in Finland. Beautiful area.

[@MercilessMrBrooks]

No shaky handheld cameras, NOT METAL ENOUGH

[@TheDamnBeast]

The opening shot of the boat is eye-melting.

[@carnivoreRon]

I understand. My wife died 5 years ago. I had to write it out to help me get to the other side. I ordered the vinyl. Songs of the North, 1,2,3 and Hours of the Nightingale are masterpieces of this genre. I'm glad to hear this video.

[@FutileGrief]

Why are y'all complaining about the length and the atmosphere and the sheer desperation and distortion. You came to listen to a death doom metal band, not freaking panic at the disco. Know where you are, stop complaining, open your mind and fly away. This is a masterpiece. Period.

[@thorwulfx1]

If I read the Latin at the end correctly, it says, "Death is stronger than life, love is stronger than death." I believe that the enormous silence that hovers over this track, the atmosphere and image - these made it necessary to release it outside the album format. I think it's a piece that you could dig into for a while, and keep finding nuances. The video was packed with symbolism. I think it's quite an achievement. If you had your heart set on crushing doom/death, this isn't the track, but I'm intrigued.

[@sea-goatbr7588]

That's right. Your translation's accurate. But it's just a stupid statement. Love is not stronger than death. Love is an illusion, death is a fact (for many, a wonder).

[@thorwulfx1]

@@sea-goatbr7588 We're subjective beings, and I suppose we can decide how we wish to interface with the world.

[@steventaylorgroom]

@@sea-goatbr7588 seeing as how this song is about losing the love of your life the statement stands. and love isnt an illusion you just havent found it

[@yibril17]

@@sea-goatbr7588 What's not quite smart is to take the statement "Death is stronger than life, love is stronger than death" at face value... That statement is tied to the conception of Art as a way of metaphysical revelation - The Purpose/Meaning of Life. Simply put, It's about transcendence beyond own existence through Art (Schopenhauer). Down below this section, I suggested someone to read "The Nightingale And The Rose" by Wilde... here instead I guess I would need to explain the very tale's core idea...

One mans feelings after he lost the love of his life. When there is nothing left but darkness. This is sort of a prelude to upcoming album, starting point.

[@aaron5222]

Hope you are right. The dark progression of songs of the north simply amazing

[@aliayyaz]

I wasnt expecting this. But it's a grower. A perfect soundscape that speaks directly to the soul. The pain of Juha is evident.

[@Ali-xf8gy]

it definitely grows on you if you put yourself in the place of the writer

[@Sejten11]

So many people clearly don't understand, where this song's slow tempo and depressing atmosphere comes from. (I am generally speaking of those who dislike it) Yes, everyone gets it. It is not what Swallow The Sun generally does. But reason behind writing this should be obvious from the very first notes and even mood of the video itself. Juha has lost his most beloved woman and lost her so early. Every single entry he wrote online about it, even the only Trees of Eternity album scream with terrible pain he felt in his heart. Pain of knowing he will no longer wake up with her at his side. That her smile is forever gone from everywhere, but old videos and pictures. That even when he hears his own work with her... it's just voice that will never sing or even speak again. And pain he felt... it all is here. This is the kind of song nobody wants to write. Nobody wants to be inspired to write pieces like this. And because of that even if I did not like this song (and I do love it) I just have to respect it. I hope releasing his grief into music helped Juha find at least some peace. He deserves to finally find it.

[@ladycolineclerboisdeglenco9125]

I hope he'll find peace too. I lost my fiancee 5 years before him, and the songs of his band (especially cathedral walls) helped me to cope with the loss and grief.

[@ShadowOfIshtar]

I feel your pain Juha..As I adore Swallow The Sun , I am also a huge admirer of Trees Of Eternity, Hallatar and Aleah's solo projects..So I recognize this piece of art as reflection of your truly immense pain..She was an ethereal soul with a voice of an angel..you and Aleah were pure magic of creativity and love..Seeing this video,I'm literally in tears..again..

[@marcp.1752]

I can't say it better - i do love Aleahs Voice since "Lights on the Lake - Horror Part III", that was into 2009....it's *that* terrible sad, she passed away just with 39 years.....love STS since 2003, love Trees of Eternity since the Sinking Ships Preview Demo on YT, and also have had Hallatars Album, as well as the ToE Special Editions pre-ordered months before release date...since back then. It's a about en endless struggle, an endless pain for Juha....glad he did keep moving on....what is barely left into life, when someone lost the love of his/her lifetime? That's how things are for Juha - and for million others, including myself, who loved Aleahs elven-esque apperance and ghost-ly voice....she'll be forever remembered, and through the songs - live on forever...RIP Aleah.

[@ShadowOfIshtar]

@@marcp.1752 11:42 there it is..lights on the lake ..

[@marcp.1752]

I've noticed that when watching it the 1st time.....it's that kind, STS does metaphers being built-into ...so sad, that many see this Song being worse...but into 10 years from now - it'll be something very special... i believe. @@ShadowOfIshtar

[@mdax2351]

Your words.. my thoughts. I think, only Juha himself knows what's going on in him, but we can support him in a way

[@JRBracy]

Tied to the Trees of Eternity. Desolation; the river connects. Waiting on the Island, “on an island I will wait for You to rise again.” This figure is tied to the trees for eternity. Though the ropes are eventually loosened it matters not; love is frozen in Time. Loss is palpable. The ropes are still there; the island awaits. Searching. If you are a fan of Swallow The Sun, Trees Of Eternity, Hallatar, and Aleah’s solo work, you will know. He is waiting to find her again, and she is waiting for him, on the Island. And it will happen. Separation is only prolonged by earthly time.

[@atommi1]

Beautiful and poetic view.

[@mdax2351]

Thx for your words. You understood the message. I hope, Juha will keep his fight in life and will find his love again... Sometime somewhere

[@FutileGrief]

I'm not crying, you're crying

[@hellgal88]

Beautifully explained.

[@belieall9974]

so fake-deep

[@spectralnighttravel]

I can relate to this so much. I lost the love of my life, my wife, my angel, and my daughter, on 10/05/2019. This is the desolation I felt. There are no words...only darkness.

[@sski]

Majestic. I'm watching this as I periodically look out my window at the deepening snow falling from a leaden sky. A great way to end this year.

[@Frus77sh]

You guys should really look at their Facebook post. It explains everything about this video and song. This has me all excited for the new album, idk about the rest of y'all. This is a side of STS we haven't seen. It doesn't sound like them, which is why I'm excited. I want to see where this takes us. This video created so much dark atmosphere, along with the small amount of music. Stop complaining, and just watch it without interruption and a clear mind, it's absolutely and utterly beautiful and chilling.

[@lordbegravelse2229]

I believe this is supposed to be a one-off song. Apparently this song was so emotionally taxing fo Juha to write and compose that he doesn't want to write a song like this again. The new album is supposed to be a little bit more positive with the theme of "Love is stronger than death".

[@belieall9974]

watched it - almost fell asleep halfway through. had to force myself to keep watching and understand wtf is going on. still nada. depressing and unsettling, true, but wth am i supposed to empathise with if i don't understand shit?

[@yibril17]

@@belieall9974 Well, if you don't understand shit, couldn't it be that, by chance, you are quite constrained by your (lack of) knowledge? ;) I really don't understand the purpose of criticizing while not understanding. I mean, what's so great about speaking out how awful something is - while you don't have a clue about? What kind of pride does lie in being an ignorant, yet opinionated one? In order to try to put you out of your lack of 'empathy', I'll give you an easy cue: start by reading this very short tale "The Nightingale And The Rose" from Wilde and think about the nightingale's purpose in that story. Then, read about Charon (greek myth)... keep reading related stuff, and you will realise how much you were missing by not being able to decode what was in front of you (also known as symbolism).

[@vp6463]

Death is stronger than life, love is stronger than death

[@ROFLBOB24]

So many normies criticizing the song, even going so far as to saying it's not music... It's Funeral Doom, and just because you can't appreciate it, doesn't mean that it is not music.

[@returnformer3950]

so are you saying you have to be not-normal to like this song...? i can appreciate it and recognize the beauty in it... but its still not my thing. maybe one day ill sit down and listen to it once just to hear it, but its not something id listen to more than that.

[@ROFLBOB24]

@@returnformer3950 No I understand that. But to say it's trash, that's pretty sad. Not every band has to be fist pumping metalcore to be good metal.

[@returnformer3950]

@@ROFLBOB24 i wouldnt say its trash, just not my thing. but it probably gets that a lot because its a really far departure from their usual stuff, so a lot of fans of the usual fare may not like this.

[@ROFLBOB24]

@@returnformer3950 I strongly doubt their forthcoming record will be all like this. They tend to separate this super dark funeral stuff apart like they did on their last album, with their 3rd CD being their more grimy funeral sound. I am expecting a normal STS album

[@returnformer3950]

@@ROFLBOB24 definitely, but thats why a lot of people arent liking this, its a different style.

[@Theknicon]

This piece makes my soul twist in my body and it feels like my chest wants to burst open. Powerful, dark, sad. Tears are streaming, heart is aching. Beautiful.

[@martonkuklis408]

I'm glad to see that we have a few amount of people who can see beyond.

[@spurqz]

With every listen I'm getting more and more immersed into the deep feelings of this song. On the last listen I was so overwhelmed by the agony and grief of the organs, guitars and screams on certain parts that I couldn't help myself from crying like a baby. Now I feel very blank and kind of purified from the inside

[@alexanderdeathmetal]

Thank Juha for this song is alone. I glad you didn't drown in despair and kept writing songs.

[@adamfowler5475]

Several years ago, I remember an interview with the insomnium vocalist/bassist, where he specifically commented on Swallow the Sun, saying that these guys are musicians you really need to watch...that they are truly something special.

[@cafelinasha299]

O wow this is certainly unexpected yet pleasant surprise. Occult, scaring, atmospheric ....like a true piece of dark beauty. Pure gothic in Finnish kind of way.

[@kevinpatrickcarey3741]

your right about the occult part I hope I didn't summon anything

[@LadyCubbins]

What a lament! Goosebumps and teary eyes. This touched me deep.

[@AllfatherOdin]

Seriously, I wouldn't want to experience Juha's feelings. At all. Also, the new album sounds promising.

[@thadavidrain]

It doesn't sound like them and yet I am so intrigued by it. One thing is for sure: they nailed the atmosphere. It feels like it's dwelling in the deepest parts of a long and dark night.

[@shendidys]

this song swallowed the moon

[@MarsInTheSpace]

I've been thinking about Aleah the whole time... it's a weight that will never be lifted from my soul. but I'm so blessed to wear this scar

[@thetruechaby]

Swallow the Sun and Einar Selvik, thank you for this wonderful New Year's gift.

[@katjahanninen2458]

This is how great loss and grief feels and looks like. So heartbreaking. This song has been written with heartblood.

[@xiomengangvar7629]

Swallow the Sunn O)))

[@soullessSiIence]

No... Just no. Sunn O))) is garbage noise.

[@BlackEmperor]

Beat me to it.

[@ThaVipaa]

sunn O)) isnt garbage but yeah it def reminded me of sunn 0 a little bit

[@ROFLBOB24]

Sunn is garbage noise.

[@ThaVipaa]

@@ROFLBOB24 i like garbage noise

[@tamer.elgamal]

Something tells me this track will be worshiped ten years from now.

[@Bookwyrm976]

Why wait?

[@pallabparia7149]

Yeah...I think so

[@tamer.elgamal]

@@Bookwyrm976 I think this is one of the tracks that aren't easily digestible in the time of release. Swallow the Sun never cease to impress me.

[@Killa117er]

Of the black lightless winters, of the unending unforgiving cold north ,of days left to solitude and days spent in agony, of fists wasted in anger against the frozen tree bark,of the frozen tears wasted on an unhearing world,of the blood spilt from the tireless rituals, of the horrible things the cold can do to a man ..... damn this whole song is an embodiment of what doom/funeral/black/pagan metal should be ! Brings sooooo many themes to mind! Have to say that Swallow the Sun have really grown and come a long way!

[@heretic124]

Wow, it's two minutes after the video has finished and I still have shivers.

[@Deathshadegr]

Marco Benevento is definitely one of my favorite singers . i am so happy he is in a Swallow the Sun song !

[@Michael_Michaels]

More than 13 minutes of cinematographic wonder!

[@nemanjadanilovic3530]

Wow! This is not a usual single release. This is more like Swallow the sun wrote a soundtrack for the short Swallow the sun movie. Just great.

[@crissya5320]

If there was a band that created music based on how my insides felt, STS does that flawlessly. Another beautiful masterpiece. Another dark atmospheric threnody. I love you my friends. May she rest peacefully. Aleah.

[@mremppu94]

this song is almost like a film score gone funeral doom/ambient rather than their usual stuff... not sure how much I like it, but it sure is an intriguing and atmospheric piece

[@Chris-xd9jm]

Ohh my god, this is darker than dark, love it

[@EndeAbgrunds]

Was not expecting this at all. I'm genuinely hyped now.

[@HeikkiSaari]

This has got to be one of the greatest piece of art... What an amazing song and video!!

[@ingovonderluhe2174]

WOW!...Pure Magic!......what a Masterpiece in Producition and Video Imagery!

[@EszterJurancsik]

Juha!!! You did it again. Masterpiece.

[@lu6440]

God how i love this. And how i love everything that Juha has ever done.

[@4dedi]

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it, on the contrary.I enjoyed the nature images of the video and the gloomy of the song. I imagine myself in this beautiful nature with headphones enjoying the song. StS never disappoints me.

[@alexgil3162]

I ABSOLUTELY AGREED!DO YOU MIND IF I CALL YOU "Dark ella"

[@4dedi]

Alex Gil Hahaha no problem.

[@mariospapapavlou3923]

This is pure audio and visual art.

[@gretheflood1695]

This is insane beautiful! A masterpiece! Greetings from a 60 year old metal head in Norway!

[@msg3030]

This is funeral doom, this is music!! How can anyone say this isn't music?? This is one of the most phenomenal pieces of music he has written since Aleah passed. He channeled this beautifully. This is art and emotion!

[@spiritualwoman]

The Dark Night of the Soul so beautifully executed in every way

[@ronny-2112]

Epic song. You can notice the sonic atmospheres and influence of Dead Can Dance most darker works and a bit of Neo Classical Darkwave.

[@livefrom6422]

After their magnum opus of Songs of the North, it was only natural for STS to continue pushing their creative boundaries... This is a band who is bursting with creative ideas and they have the courage and ambition to express them through their music... If this is different, the forthcoming "When a Shadow is Forced into the Light" will be different too... To all the critics of "Lumina Aurea", THIS IS SWALLOW the SUN's CREATIVE JOURNEY, so buckle up and enjoy...

[@huikka589]

StS fan over 10 years, still amazing, Suomi Finland perkele! freaking love this video and the atmosphere wow...

[@kamil9940]

so daaaaaaaark that you can get lost. Masterpiece

[@Hjoldasson]

A beautiful, atmospheric and emotional piece of art. This is art at 360°, a full perceiving experience, something to watch, hear and feel. Actually made me shiver.

[@DavidRockvoice]

Now this is something different ... wow. I don't know if I like it but much respect to put out a "single" like that.

[@ephemeraleiswer9763]

WOW... RE-WOW... I STOOD IN AWE WHILE I WAS WATCHING THIS MASTER PIECE. HOW BEAUTIFUL VIDEO WAS MADE BY SWALLOW THE SUN. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR EXCELLENT JOB, YOUR POETRY THROUGHOUT, THE SKETCH SURROUNDINGS... CONGRATULATIONS YOU DID A HIGH LEVEL VIDEO.

[@wyrdwitch2425]

This is amazing

[@milenaivanova1078]

I got scared when listening to the song.... I would say it's a masterpiece, coming deep from the soul.

[@demetrius7595]

Art at its finest. Magnificent!

[@jegosi17]

The internet was right. This birdbox trailer is phenomenal!

[@jchartcarver]

I didn't understand the words, nor do I care for the sound of Latin, but still loved it! I enjoyed the musical composition most of all. Nice ambiance! I was very inspired. I enjoyed the imagery too. The best thing about the invention of drones is the new ability for aerial photography lol. Great job! ;) \m/

[@Raijin-RyuX24]

The cinematography for this video is absolutely stunning. Amazing work. I was unsure if Swallow the Sun had any plans to release new material but then I saw an EP release for this song and instantly hope for more new material.

[@centurymedia]

New album out Jan 25th :)

[@evrakk3543]

Phenomenal. These guys worked very hard on this track (and the video), and it shows. Amazingly atmospheric, and the dark ambience is just spine-chilling.

[@annablack7776]

Its beautifull... I cant say anymore....

[@BlackEmperor]

People clicking on the video expecting another Falling World and testing their own patience thinking it's just an intro will be disappointed, I suppose. Just lean back and try to absorb the atmosphere instead of waiting for the metal to kick in, and see how you like it then.

[@LordofNalicNod]

I just started listening to this band and I am very impressed. I sense a definite Bathory/Celtic Frost influence from these guys.

[@joealexander4883]

This is a new level of darkness.. and holy shit, I want the English translation so bad

[@newview3582]

OMG! That's so soulful masterpiece.

[@clebras]

So incredible.... so powerful! I am amazed and just awestruck, its a brave thing to create and release to the public. I was afraid somehow to listen but it really touched me and I hope others also will appreciate this.

[@camilorockfestbcn19]

Magnifico...magico..tenebroso y luminoso...una obra de arte....muchas gracias...tank you very much

[@franklinavetisyan6456]

Death is stronger than life, love is always stronger than death.

[@murmaiderx-1654]

Nazgul rising, the ritual. This was epic, loved it. It brings peace and it's nothing but pure art. 😎

[@thierrypetibon1397]

NO WORD ! just one : Thanks !

[@vintervegan]

Beautiful images, and the song with Einar Selvik is absolutely fantastic, very dark, perfect combination, thanks so much!! "Mors fortior quam vita est, amor fortior quam mors est" Ufff

[@donjohnson1155]

There is a lot going on but you must have the ear/brian to recognize it

[@SiGhast]

I do have plenty of brian in stock.

[@donjohnson1155]

Oh seems I run out of brian for a moment 😆

[@joealexander4883]

Mikko, your vocals are fucking terrifying.. I don't even know the translation but I feel a resonance with this song. Love you guys, thank you for everything

[@TheMrChrismetalhead]

i've never heard a 14 minute intro before so cool....the actual song must be fire

[@steventaylorgroom]

lol the album was killer

[@juhomanninen6449]

missä päin suomea kuvattu tämä video🤔

[@natura774]

just magnific, love this band more and more, still crazy to hear the all discography.and the video is fantastic .

[@robbyacosta9280]

Wow.. this is really heavy song by the sheer emotional sentiment behind it.. I can see this being on the soundtrack to Vikings since it has a very Wardruna feel, Can't wait to hear the whole album!

[@keltis3211]

That. Was. Amazing.

[@Stallan666]

Although I would call this life shattering grief through art rather than a song, regardless it should not exist. It's been 6 years since Aleah passed but it is still unbelievable. Eternal love and respect to Juha and the StS guys for the emotionally draining process it takes to write and record something like this. And of course also to the directors of this short film that perfectly captures the spirit of the music. Listening to this takes me to a dark place but it is also cathartic and powerful beyond words.

[@JeffBarberDigideus]

Fabulous! a bleak dirge that sounds like a cross between Wardruna and Dead Can Dance. I shall be ordering this!

[@DecemberRose27]

When the song actually started picking up near the end it left me wanting more of that ....so gorgeous and definitely mood this time of season and time . 🖤

[@Malkav65]

This video is a series of black metal album covers

[@Machinedead]

arthouse metal, didn't knew it was a thing, ok I learn something new every day

[@Pinrandir]

Breathtakingly beautiful! The video has a much greater meaning if you know Finnish mythology.

[@khaledadriano7024]

I need eng sub for the whole thing to get into the atmosphere 100% This work is awesome and beautiful

[@christinapalantza4059]

Moving to tears

[@jotarozan7505]

This song represents all the pain that Juha felt when losing his beloved Aleah

[@diegomartini3091]

Hypnotic beauty. Hope there's something like that in Moonflowers...

[@TheMihaeli]

You can live in Brazil or South Africa and never experience a winter, but when you watch this you get those northern winters injected right into your arteries.

[@VulgrimOfficial]

Something Special!

[@lordisengard8583]

Wunderschön

[@Marcos_Guitar]

Interesting, dark, deep, atmospheric, beautiful. I can't wait to hear more from the new songs

[@rastislavdian2027]

The darkeness of this is so thick one could cut it with a knife!!!!

[@ZakkiLowe]

This is perfect. I absolutely love it.

[@GraceLanzallamas]

This is beautiful!

[@joealexander4883]

No u

[@zztbsboilingzz]

i had to go back in my youtube history to find this again! got me into funeral doom. i like type o negative but never been down this rabbit hole before

[@Mohammad75406]

"Prayer for the lost"