Catchphrases are a funny thing, aren't they? Everyone loves to repeat them until they can no longer bear to hear them anymore. One of the most common ones in recent memory is, "So... That happened." As much as it sucks, it took off because it's relatable and if ever there was an album to relate it to, it's "Shining," the ninth studio album from Finnish death-doom veterans Swallow The Sun. They've had a stellar career and remain an interesting band to watch live, but when it comes to this new effort, the quintet has dreadfully missed the mark.

We begin with "Innocence Was Long Forgotten," where a whining guitar welcomes the listener to the song, and thus the record. This soon changes into a more mellow and melancholy sound that's actually quite beautiful in its own way, especially when the keyboard comes into play. Quickly, however, the song devolves into generic Gothic metal moodiness, to the point where it almost feels like a parody of not just the band, but the sub-genre as a whole. Despite the few highlights mentioned, it ultimately turns out to be very forgettable.

Unfortunately, the opening track sets the pace, and more notably the formula for "Shining" as a whole. Far too many sounds have interesting beginnings, but give up on themselves before any enthusiasm can settle in. "Under The Moon & Sun" is a perfect example of this, starting well, then featuring an extremely boring verse, picked up by a very good chorus, culminating in a messy affair that doesn't go one way or the other long enough to play on duality or pique a positive response. While a lot of miserable songs reflect the writers' sadness, the ones on offer here almost all come across as self-pitying to the point that even Morrissey would suggest turning it down.

As mentioned though, there are a few moments of respite. "November Dust" isn't particularly good but it does a better job of creating an atmosphere, while "Charcoal Sky" may be the best track on the album, helped by the bouncing riff that introduces the song, which itself is something of a dark epic. The appropriately named, "MelancHoly," is a little reminiscent of My Dying Bride, the masters of miserable metal, albeit without any of the elements that make MDB so good. That's pretty much it for the casual fan or neutral though.

There are no doubt some die-hard Swallow The Sun fans that would find more to enjoy here, but ultimately listening to "Shining" feels like work, and not just because I listened just to write a review. It's joyless, dreary, and worst of all, boring. The decision to work with Dan Lancaster, a producer with several accolades but seemingly no interesting bands on his resume, is an odd choice too. I'm certainly not laying the faults of this record entirely at his feet, but hiring the producer of A Day To Remember and The Ordinary Boys doesn't inspire much confidence that he helped steer Swallow The Sun to any of the good moments on "Shining," especially given the quality of their back catalogue.

In conclusion, what should have been a celebration of new material from an excellent band is a mind-numbingly boring slog, which at its best, feels like the leftovers of "Moonflowers."