There aren't many albums that can be described as “beautiful”, but this, Katatonia's fifth album proper deserves such a tag and much more. Having thoroughly enjoyed 1999's “Tonight's decision”, I was intrigued as to which direction they would take afterwards. Admittedly, I wouldn't have been too disappointed if they had produced another “Tonight's Decision”, but as a group, they've gone one better and produced a masterpiece. The guitars have been toned down slightly, but it makes for a more satisfying release, relying more on Jonas Renkses' vocals to carry the songs along.
Don't get me wrong, the guitars still craft and weave some stunning music, but it is clear that a lot of work has been done perfecting his personal vocal style. If you consider that when the group started out, their vocals were more in the death metal vein, they have undergone a sublime maturation, which was first apparent on “Discouraged Ones” back in 1998, but they still retain that “Katatonia” trademark sound – the melodious guitars, solid, but not over – the – top drumming and the soothing vocals. The high quality of the music is apparent in songs such as “Dispossession”, “Teargas”, “The future of speech” and the awesome “Sweet Nurse”. Each one of these songs brims with confidence and as a fan of the band, I feel honoured to have heard them. It has been said many times before that Katatonia aren't strictly a metal band, but their roots lie in rock music and they have also been influenced by diverse rock bands.
I don't like Radiohead, but I like Katatonia. I like Mortician AND I like Katatonia. I can't tell you why I like a mixture of styles, but when the music is of such a high quality, I don't feel it necessary to justify myself. Katatonia remain a relatively undiscovered jewel in the rock/ metal scene and we should be proud to have them. File under genius.
RUNNING TIME: 50:44
RECOMMENDED TRACKS: The whole album.
OTHER RECOMMENDED ALBUMS IN THE GENRE:
Rapture – Futile (1999) – http://www.spinefarm.fi/metal/
Entwine – Gone (2001) – http://www.spinefarm.fi/metal/
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