Inspired by the dark and gory historical figure, Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory, SWANWRITER delivers a haunting and dynamic offering in the new single, “the painted valley”. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, the progressive metal project is preparing to unveil the second full-length album, melodies of despair, on June 26, 2026.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the Hungarian noblewoman was alleged to have killed hundreds of girls and women, and to have bathed in their blood. In “the painted valley”, “The protagonist of the story is a young orphan girl who was taken in by a supposedly kind figure. At the end of the track, she found out that this was an evil witch who was secretly killing them to bathe in their blood”, explains project founder Koda.
A solo piano arrangement opens “the painted valley”. The music suddenly shifts into a waltz, the piano now joined by a pair of acoustic guitars. A heavy explosion manifests as drums and distorted electric guitars arrive, building the intensity of the sound. Powerful and atmospheric, the shadows descend as harsh vocals growl into life.
The genre-fusion continues throughout the track’s progressive compositional style. Falsetto vocals await in the chorus with a string trio creating an eerie layer beneath, before returning to the heavy onslaught. Followed by a minimalist arrangement of classical guitar and piano, “the painted valley” arrives at a foreboding end.
SWANWRITER presents a thoroughly compelling display of light and shade through intricate, considered progressive instrumental arrangements. Across melodies of despair, SWANWRITER balances chaos and calm through explorations of dark and emotional narratives.
melodies of despair was produced and mixed by Koda, mastered by Roland Rodas, and features cover artwork by 無た｡ / muta.
About SWANWRITER:
SWANWRITER is a dark progressive metal project based in Vancouver, British Columbia, created and performed entirely by the anonymous multi-instrumentalist known as Koda. Formed in 2023, the project emerged from a desire to merge progressive metal songwriting with classical composition, atmospheric storytelling, and emotionally driven arrangements.
Having studied classical piano from an early age before later discovering extreme metal, Koda developed SWANWRITER as a space to explore long-form composition without stylistic limitation. The music draws influence from progressive and experimental metal alongside classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin, resulting in compositions that emphasize dynamics, texture, and narrative pacing.
SWANWRITER debuted with There is a darkness in June 2023, establishing a sound centered on extended song structures, melodic development, and cinematic atmosphere. Rather than focusing on technical exhibition, the project prioritizes mood, storytelling, and cohesion across full-length releases.
Themes throughout SWANWRITER’s work often intersect with psychological horror, melancholy, and introspection, shaped in part by inspiration from horror games, film soundtracks, and dark ambient music. Each release is approached as a complete artistic statement, with careful attention given to sequencing, emotional progression, and sonic detail.
Operating independently, SWANWRITER remains a studio-focused project, with future ambitions that include composing music for horror and narrative-driven media.
Connect with SWANWRITER:
Bandcamp: https://swanwriter.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanwritermusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swanwritermusic/
X / Twitter: https://x.com/swanwritermusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@swanwriter
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6unE9CWOXt5c4UIiaHD5RR
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/swanwriter/1686779640
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@swanwritermusic
melodies of despair Track List:
- the painted valley
- labyrinth
- girl on the wall
- waltz of the lost ghosts
- betrayal
- phobia