Live Review: Swallow The Sun - Wolverhampton : The Razor's Edge

Live Review: Swallow The Sun – KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

19th December 2025
Support: Opia and Saturnus

Words: Matt Noble
Photos: Tim Finch

One of the last shows at KK's Steel Mill before Christmas, a tour package of emotive death/doom brought atmosphere, melody and grace to Wolverhampton. Opened by Opia for what was their first West Midlands visit, the newcomers had only released their debut album in April, but left their mark on the crowd with a powerful delivery of gothic atmosphere combined with the despair and weightiness of doom. Bookending the set with the two parts of 'On Death's Door', the commanding vocal performance - switching sharply between ethereal cleans and a blistering roar - set Opia apart tonight. Overall, their songs are cleverly written, balancing heft with mood, delivered with a self-assured stage presence that simply allows the music to speak for itself, and their strong sense of melody to really sing. The future looks bright for Opia, if this set is anything to go from. Well appreciated by the crowd after songs, they will have certainly turned a few new heads over the evening.

Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography

The sound of rain plays for Saturnus and their spooky intro, before they launch into an epic, atmospheric assault. With six bandmembers they fill out the stage, moving about and evidently enjoying their set. As they interact with each other and with the crowd, their presence is infectious while the air is filled with rich guitar melodies, carefully restrained drumming and guttural lead vocals. Expanded with two guitars and a keys player, the force of sound emanating from the stage is nothing less than huge, delivered elegantly and to a warm response from the audience.

'I Long', introduced with an extended piano intro, is a set highlight, not just for its powerful melancholic tones, but also a clever call-and-response passage between keyboardist Mika and guitarist Indee to keep a strong sense of showmanship. Closing on 'Christ Goodbye' from their first album, their set ends with darkness and also a bit of bite. A powerful performance from the death/doom veterans.

Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography

Tonight's headliners Swallow The Sun are cheered on as they walk on stage. They have an intense stage look, as several of them are hooded in lighting that shows more silhouette than person. Regardless, their performance showcases them with a majestic and graceful approach to gothic-tinged death/doom. The vocals switch from a soulful, morose clean vocal to tortured death growls, while the lead guitars impress with both flashy and restrained runs as the song requires. Every note needs careful consideration in this style of music, and the Finnish quintet do this well. Controlling contrast and emotion with a masterful, considered touch, Swallow The Sun have their legacy and survival on doing what they do to such a high standard. The bandmembers also know how to put on a performance and entertain, coming close to the barrier during some of the bigger moments and rousing responses from their faithful.

'Don't Fall Asleep', from their earlier work, goes down well earlier in the set, with its eerie verses and strong sense of atmosphere. 'November Dust', played penultimately in the set, is also well received, seeing phones in the air as they pay tribute to Type O Negative thematically, musically and vocally. But set closer 'Swallow' is arguably the strongest of the night, engaging tonight's attendees as they leave on a towering, high note.