From their PR firm's website, "Vancouver, BC Progressive Metal project SWANWRITER has announced the upcoming release of its second full-length album, "Melodies of Despair," arriving independently on June 26. Created entirely by multi-instrumentalist Koda, melodies of despair continues the dark, cinematic direction introduced on SWANWRITER's 2023 debut "There is a Darkness." The new album presents a collection of interconnected horror-inspired narratives shaped by themes of isolation, grief, betrayal, and psychological unease, delivered through expansive progressive metal compositions enriched with piano, acoustic instrumentation, and orchestral textures."

The album has six songs, and "The Painted Valley" is first. Solemn piano notes lead off the 10-minute song, although the pacing isn't overly slow. A dark, weighted riff drops, and some of the progressions are neo-classical. Harsh vocals come in from there, followed by some cleans. Piano notes return, and it's obvious that a lot of thought went into the composition. "Labyrinth" is another song with classical chord progressions, and the piano plays nicely with the vocals. The sound is melancholy and a bit sad, and it feels like you are settling into a blanket and a detective book on a cold and rainy day outside. The harsh vocal bite comes out of nowhere, and it's purposefully startling. "Girl on the Wall" is slower, more solemn, and somewhat introspective, especially the vocals and piano.

"Waltz of the Lost Ghosts" is shorter, and reminds me of a nursery rhyme; although it probably isn't one you want to share with your kids. "Betrayal" is the lengthy song on the album, coming in at 13 odd minutes. It's restrained at first, with frail vocals and more solemn piano notes. Some lead breaks pepper the song, which feels like a stretch of rainy days to me. The kind with cold, and grey skies, and nothing to look forward to. Betrayal is one of the worst things that someone can experience, and the tones reflect those feelings. "Phobia" is the final song, and it's a 12 minute closer. It sounds like the sound is continuing from the previous song, although it does have a harder edge to it, especially considering the harsh vocals.

For me, this was a personal album that may not appeal to the masses so easily. Let me add that probably wasn't Koda's intent anyway. There is a lot of beauty here, buried within melancholic passages and sadness. As a music buff, I can appreciate the level of detail in every song, although, as a whole, it wasn't quite as grabbing to me as I had hoped. Still, it's worth listening to and making up your own mind.