I really wanted to like this, "This Cut Is The Deepest" and "Hate, Lead The Way" are killer songs. But the rest of it feels completely uninspired and thoughtless.

I actually really like it. Every song on it has gotten stuck in my head at least once.

It's alright, I'll have to give it a few more listens to properly digest it, and then return with conclusions.

I thought everything Swallow the Sun did was thoughtless and uninspired

This. Show me one good riff on the album. I understand the dark and gloomy atmosphere but where are the doom riffs?

Bam. x3.

Yep. I literally deleted all the songs except for those two, which I love. Coincidence? I think not. Seems like most people prefer those, also; that's never a good sign.

The last 2-3 releases have been pretty boring to me. Their first album and parts of Hope are the best things they have and probably ever will have done. They've become stereotypical and extremely boring by now.

Not to mention that their live shows are a bore. Even the immediately recognisable, memorable material they play is simply not inspiring at all when played live. I've seen them once, and perhaps the fact that Insomnium opened for them affected the impact of their music rather strongly. Insomnium is far more emotive, intense and of course much faster, and having banged my head off for them I was rather exhausted by the time StS started their set. It wasn't melancholic, it was merely plodding and pointless.

It's a "good" album, but probably their worst release so far. It almost feels like a watered-down version of their sound. I really wish it was heavier and doomier.

I saw Swallow The Sun touring for "Hope" with Darkane, Soilwork and Daylight Dies. I really thought STS stole the show, so I must say I disagree about them being boring live, although, by this point they may be. I have not had a chance to see them since.

Emerald Forest and the Black Bird is definitely more gothic metal vibed than New Moon. I do like New Moon more, but Emerald Forest... is still pretty great.

Yeah,I don't see the problem with it either. It's less riffy, but it's a natural progression for them. More haunting I would say. Labyrinth of London is a great song.

Hmm, I really have not checked out anything since Hope. I am starting to wonder if that is a good thing.

I gave it a listen for the first time today. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to repeated listens. Not too familiar with anything after Ghosts of Loss, but my first impression is that it stands up well to the first two albums.

This Cut Is The Deepest is the weakest song in my opinion. Other than that, it's a great album, and definitely a step above New Moon.

Well, since the previous album they're exploring the "gothic side of the moon", so...... really, really welcome, now StS is one of my favourite bands (only one step behind Draconian)
As someone said, maybe you won't remember a single riff on the album, but in their "new dimension" the athmosphere is absolutely fantastic, and don't forget the vocals, Mikko Kotamaki is a giant in every song....

I really can't get into this band. Nothing sticks out as 'great'

I'd say they're more of a disappointing band overall. They can make subtle, creepy, melodic yet pretty damn heavy doom metal songs like "Doomed to Walk the Earth" or they can just go overboard with the flowery stuff, like they're trying so hard to create a "gothic" atmosphere it ends up backfiring and just sounding silly.