Svalbard shares video for “How To Swim Down”

English post-hardcore band Svalbard has dropped a video for their brand-new single “How To Swim Down“, the latest cut from their forthcoming album “The Weight Of The Mask”. The LP is set for release on October 6 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track is accompanied by a beautiful animated video, created by Boy Tillkens. The heart-breaking animation is a delicate portrayal of humanity, detailing the tenderness and strength found in existence. Watch the clip below.

Vocalist Serena Cherry commented: “This song is about the exquisite pain and sorrowful beauty of unrequited love. I think it’s the saddest, most heart-breaking song we’ve ever written. Lyrically, the starting point of the verse is about concealment of adoration, before the chorus gives way to realising and accepting a fate of loving someone quietly from afar.

“I cannot watch the music video for How To Swim Down without crying. Boy has captured the bittersweet emotion of the song so delicately, it’s an incredibly moving piece of animation to watch.“

“Musically, How To Swim Down saw us dive into unchartered waters with Liam adding many layers of mournful violin parts onto the track. Finally, violins – for the first time in Svalbard history! It feels so exciting to have new instruments on a song. Another first is that How To Swim Down features only clean vocals, no screams. I wanted the vocal delivery of these lyrics to feel as though I’m whispering a secret to someone whilst they’re sleeping. My vocals here represent that lonely type of communication, singing to yourself in an empty house. It’s a private, selfless love song, where only the listener knows of my heartache.“, she added.

“The Weight Of The Mask” was recorded at The Ranch Production House, UK. The record was produced and mixed by Lewis Johns, with mastering by Grant Berry. Engineering was handled by Lewis Johns, assisted by Matt Janke, with additional editing by Kel Pinchin and Sebastien Sendon.

Svalbard’s intention with their music is to make people feel less alone, and to be there for people in their darkest times. “The Weight Of The Mask” bravely lays out experiences of mental illness and depression, hoping to help destigmatise these topics.

Pre-order “The Weight Of The Mask” here.

“The Weight Of The Mask” – tracklist:
01-Faking It
02-Eternal Spirits
03-Defiance
04-November
05-Lights Out
06-How To Swim Down
07-Be My Tomb
08-Pillar In The Sand
09-To Wilt Beneath The Weight

Svalbard will be returning to the EU mainland for six headline show dates in October, which will be followed by a performance at the Cult Of Luna curated Beyond The Redshift event in London and a headline date at The Key Club in Leeds.

Summer Festivals
11-13 Aug – BE, Kortrijk, Alcatraz Festival
16-19 Aug – UK, Compton Martin, ArcTanGent
October Dates
14 Oct – NL Nijmegen, Soulcrusher
15 Oct – DE Cologne, Helios 37
16 Oct – DE Berlin, Urban Spree
17 Oct – DE Dresden, Chemiefabrik
18 Oct – DE Neunkirchen, Stummsche Reithalle
19 Oct – FR Paris, Backstage By The Mill
20 Oct – UK London, Beyond The Redshift – curated by Cult Of Luna
21 Oct – UK Leeds, The Key Club