Blog Post // 2020-07-22

10 Painfully Beautiful Songs!

I think people who don’t listen to metal often see it in a negative light. They don’t see that it can be a release for the artist as well as the music consumer. Sure there are some violent themes out there but overall you can really find some great music for different moods.

I am someone who enjoys hearing pain and sadness in songs. I think it is easier to feel it in a song than other ways.

These are the top 10 that struck me the first time and times to follow as solemn and releasing pain!

Swallow the Sun - Emerald Forest and the Blackbird

I think that Swallow the Sun does a lamenting spirit very well. This band is pretty new to me. I feel like they have countless songs that would fit this description of doing melancholy in an awesome way! I chose this one because I thought the subject matter and the song layout was particularly excellent! It starts with a mysteriously beautiful feel, like you aren’t sure what is around the corner. Then it brings you into what feels like a tale being told. It feels comforting like when your parent told you a story as a child. Then you realize it is meant to be comforting for the child but the parent is falling apart on this journey. I think that is a common thing in life. We try to hold it together for our children even when things are rough. This story is a lot harder as this is about a child dying. I enjoy how it has changes in it portraying the fear and sadness going through the forest with all of its creatures and how you can’t go any further. How many parents want to go with their child when their child has to leave? The music is laid out just right to produce the perfect mood. The vocal changes are superb! This is beautiful anguish.

Harakiri For The Sky - Fire, Walk With Me

This band is also pretty new to me. They overall do depressive themes well. The song really illustrates what it feels like to hate yourself, whether it is for a minute when you are struggling through something really hard, or if this is ongoing and you need medication or mental health assistance. Sometimes maybe hearing someone in so much pain helps those experiencing it. That chorus really says it all with its words. The beat is kept throughout which keeps it moving forward. The passion and hurt in the vocals is just right.

Architects - Gone With The Wind

Also a band that is new to me. The lyrics really speak to what people must be going through when they are given a fatal diagnosis. They live knowing they won’t be around for long. It speaks to the fact that the person feels like being hopeful is too hard to deal with. It seems that they almost believe they deserve this end. What a hard place to be! I find the singing voice is at the right places to emphasize the mood. The screaming in the chorus makes sense as it points out these thoughts going through your head in this kind of situation.

Clouds - If These Walls Could Speak

Another band that is new to me. This song feels so alone to me. The lyrics and voice produce the thought that there is no soul in this world that is understanding where you are at. Maybe that you don’t deserve anyone to be around. Maybe you don’t want anyone around. I like how low key it starts with the keyboard. Then it dramatically changes in vocals, music and lyrics from quiet to pushing forward. I find the combo of growls, and high singing really work good to produce the feeling of unworthiness.

Ghost Brigade - Concealed Revulsions

A pretty new band to me. These lyrics speak to someone struggling with life and self distorted views of themselves. Working through lies that people come to believe about themselves. I find the mixture of great singing and screaming is nice. I like how they embrace the quieter moments but still have growls as well.

Thy Light - Wanderer of Solitude

The beauty of this song is great! The lyrics portray someone who feels like they didn’t meet their own standard or do what they wanted. Someone who looks back grievously at their past. I think the vocal sounds painful. Mix it with the beauty of the music and it produces beautiful sadness. Nice dynamics and I like the keyboard in addition to the guitars.

Crossfade - Lay Me Down

Another band that is new to me. I think this song speaks to not feeling up to the task, feeling like giving up. I like how it starts with drums and then everything kicks in. A memorable riff. Nice singing.

In This Moment - Into The Light

This song is really not characteristic of this band. It made me cry the first time I heard it. A ballad with lyrics that sting the heart if you have been through losing someone and being with them as they die. I think the keyboard was appropriate as well as the soft vocals.

Wintersun - Loneliness

Another band that is pretty new to me. This song is so atmospheric. You can really picture yourself out in the snow having a hard time finding your way home. You can feel the loneliness. I really translate this lonely and lost feeling with how you feel when you do things alone and not with people you have lost in your life. It changes the experience to do it yourself or not be able to do something ever again. The vocals feel so emotional. I like the use of singing and screaming vocals. I love the dynamics in this song!

Kunstzone - In The Absence of Honour

Another new to me band. I find these lyrics make me think of the hard relationships and situations when you do your best to have honour. The person or persons doesn’t approach things the same. They come at you with everything, they don’t respect you. This is a unique sound with lots of variety, a memorable guitar riff, and variation in the vocals. You feel a sense of pain and anger release in this one.