Originally conceived as a one-man project for vocalist and multi instrumentalist Pekka Taina in 2005 when he began to compose slow and atmospheric music. Pekka later recruited drummer Jussi Verkkonen into the fold to help work on his demo, resulting in Sawol's first three tracks released in 2007. Even though the demo had a good response the band went on hiatus whilst Pekka and Jussi continued other projects. Then in summer 2008 Pekka decided that the time was right to continue with Sawol, this time having a vision of a complete band. Step forward brother Matti Taina on bass and good friend Miika Makinen on guitar and the final piece of the Sawol jigsaw was in place.

Fast forward to 2010 and to the release of the debut album 'Through Soil And Skin'. The album opens with the dark and atmospheric track 'Furor' proving right from the off that Sawol have a fine set of accomplished musicians in their fold as they lead you down a doom fuelled path of misery. Listening to the slow, atmospheric style of the album I can't help being reminded of former Liverpudlian doomsters and now prog masters in their own right Anathema as they have a similar musical vibe throughout the album. Whereas Anathema slowly shook off the doom label metamorphosing into a melodic, progtastic outfit, Sawol have remained heavy as fuck and full of doom and melancholy thanks to the deathly growl of Pekka Taina.

I have to hold up my hands and admit that I'm slightly out of my comfort zone in the doom/death field, whereas I do enjoy various styles of metal and do participate in the odd death metal album and gig I do sometimes find the cookie monster death growl a little repetitive, and before all you death metallers out there bay for my blood for the mere suggestion, I do understand that statement is like a Michelin star chef stating the fish pie is a little fishy. It's just at times I do wish for a little variation in the vocals.

And lo and behold I get my wish on the astounding track 'Closer To The Sun', a track that begins with, dare I say it, a more accessible vocal style, later blending in brilliantly with the deathly vocal style proving this formula is a sure fire winner on par with the mighty Opeth in its creation. Personally I would have liked to have heard a few more numbers with this more varied approach during the album, instead I felt myself hitting the forward button on more than one occasion.

I have to confess that musically this album is faultless, from the Carcass inspired guitar riff of 'Prisoner' to the epic, grandiose proportions of 'Break And Create' if only the band would have a little more variation in the vocal department.

For any fans of the doom/death/black metal scene who love their music to be dark, heavy and atmospheric I urge you to check out the band's website and maybe you can prove me wrong.

www.myspace.com/sawolmusic