Katatonia - Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Peaceville - 2001
By Patrick
Katatonia's latest release continues in the vein of their masterpieces "Tonight's Decision" and "Discouraged One's" and improves on it almost 100%. Nystrom, Norrman, and Renske finally have a full line up and it shows. The drummer and bass player lay down a very tight and effective rhythm for the rest of the guys to lay down their magic. Both musicians impressed me greatly. All of them sound very confident and sure of the direction they are heading. The biggest improvement is Mr. Renske's singing. He's always been good, but he seems in total control of his voice and able to express any feeling he wishes. If this guy doesn't make you feel somber, then you don't feel.
Katatonias sound on LFDGD is similar to their last two studio albums but they continue to try new things. For example, the song We Must Bury You features some crazy drum machine stuff during the chorus that completely enhances the feel of the song. Also, they utilize some very interesting vocal effects to enhance and emphasize certain parts. An example is during the mid section of The Future of Speech. The way the line A brand new day, it cant get worse is effected combined with his singing style there is incredible. Speaking of that line, the lyrics, as expected, are phenomenal. He has a way of expressing darkness that touches you and seems very real and personal, but detached at the same time. This band definitely has some of the best lyrics out there. English isnt even their native language and they use it better than most American/English bands could dream of. Its little things like that that make or break an album. That makes what might be an average album great and makes me want to listen to it over and over, every day. Ive listened to this album more sense I got it than any other album Ive acquired in the last year. The somberness, the darkness, the sheer feeling and melody is enthralling.
This is the same Katatonia that you know and love, but so much better and so much more confident and convincing. I wasnt sure how they were going to top Tonights Decision (that one was more confident than the last ) but this one did it. This is so dark and so doomy that it puts about any dark metal band to total shame. If you cant stand progression and experimentation, or a band finding its sound, than just stick to your Dance of December Souls and PLs Gothic. This is quite the improvement. What was good is now great. If they keep getting better like this, the world is going to have no choice but to pay attention.
100% recommended.
Peaceville - 2001
By Patrick
Katatonia's latest release continues in the vein of their masterpieces "Tonight's Decision" and "Discouraged One's" and improves on it almost 100%. Nystrom, Norrman, and Renske finally have a full line up and it shows. The drummer and bass player lay down a very tight and effective rhythm for the rest of the guys to lay down their magic. Both musicians impressed me greatly. All of them sound very confident and sure of the direction they are heading. The biggest improvement is Mr. Renske's singing. He's always been good, but he seems in total control of his voice and able to express any feeling he wishes. If this guy doesn't make you feel somber, then you don't feel.
Katatonias sound on LFDGD is similar to their last two studio albums but they continue to try new things. For example, the song We Must Bury You features some crazy drum machine stuff during the chorus that completely enhances the feel of the song. Also, they utilize some very interesting vocal effects to enhance and emphasize certain parts. An example is during the mid section of The Future of Speech. The way the line A brand new day, it cant get worse is effected combined with his singing style there is incredible. Speaking of that line, the lyrics, as expected, are phenomenal. He has a way of expressing darkness that touches you and seems very real and personal, but detached at the same time. This band definitely has some of the best lyrics out there. English isnt even their native language and they use it better than most American/English bands could dream of. Its little things like that that make or break an album. That makes what might be an average album great and makes me want to listen to it over and over, every day. Ive listened to this album more sense I got it than any other album Ive acquired in the last year. The somberness, the darkness, the sheer feeling and melody is enthralling.
This is the same Katatonia that you know and love, but so much better and so much more confident and convincing. I wasnt sure how they were going to top Tonights Decision (that one was more confident than the last ) but this one did it. This is so dark and so doomy that it puts about any dark metal band to total shame. If you cant stand progression and experimentation, or a band finding its sound, than just stick to your Dance of December Souls and PLs Gothic. This is quite the improvement. What was good is now great. If they keep getting better like this, the world is going to have no choice but to pay attention.
100% recommended.
