Finnish doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN have announced a string of European tour dates in May, supporting PARADISE LOST.

Says the band: "For years we have thought that us and Paradise Lost would be a perfect line-up for a tour, and now it's coming to reality: we're happy and proud to join them on their European tour as their direct support! It's been a while since our last tour back in 2010, and we're excited to be back - see you on the road!"

Tour dates include:

May

2 - Tivoli - Utrecht, Netherlands
3 - Den Atelier - Luxembourg, Luxembourg
4 - La Rodia - Besancon, France
5 - Le Transbordeur - Villeurbanne, Lyon, France
6 - Le Bikini - Toulouse, France
7 - Stereolux - Nantes, France
9 - Bataclan - Paris, France
10 - Le 106 - Rouen, France
11 - Batschkapp - Frankfurt, Germany
12 - Matrix - Bochum, Germany
14 - Vega - Copenhagen, Denmark
15 - Sticky Fingers - Gothenburg, Sweden
16 - Debaser - Stockholm, Sweden
17 - KB - Malmö, Sweden
19 - Gruenspan - Hamburg, Germany
20 - Essibfabrik - Köln, Germany
21 - Backstage - Munich, Germany
22 - Arena - Vienna, Austria

In addition, Swallow The Sun are confirmed for the following Metalfest shows:

May

31 - Metalfest Open Air Austria - Mining, Austria

June

1 - Metalfest Open Air Germany West - Dessau, Germany
8 - Metalfest Open Air Germany West - Loreley, Germany
10 - Metalfest Switzerland - Pratteln, Switzerland

Swallow The Sun's new album, Emerald Forest And The Blackbird, hit the Official Finnish Top 40 charts at position #2 and the independent record store chart at #1 upon release.

Emerald Forest And The Blackbird "features ten tracks of the trademark Swallow The Sun sound of gloom, beauty and despair," according to a press release.

The tracklist is as follows:

'Emerald Forest And The Blackbird'

'This Cut Is The Deepest'

'Hate, Lead The Way'

'Cathedral Walls' (featuring NIGHTWISH's Anette Olzon)

'Hearts Wide Shut'

'Silent Towers'

'Labyrinth Of London (Horror Pt. IV)'

'Of Death And Corruption'

'April 14th'

'Night Will Forgive Us'

The album was recorded during September and October 2011 by Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS and CHILDREN OF BODOM) at Drumforest Studios in Viitasaari and Sonic Pump 2 in Helsinki and by Hannu Honkonen at Noisework Studios in Helsinki.

Emerald Forest And The Blackbird was mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa, known for his work with HIM, APOCALYPTICA, AMORPHIS and MOONSPELL.

The album was mastered by Mika Jussila (Nightwish, Amorphis, Sentenced, etc.) at Finnvox Studios. The artwork is once again made by Rami Mursula, whose imagery sets the perfect mood for the album.