Katatonia – Live Consternation
Peaceville Records – CDVILE179X – May 28, 2007
By Jason Jordan
A standalone Katatonia live release is long overdue, and here it is in the form of CD/DVD combo Live Consternation. Aside from the live DVD included in the 3-disc boxset The Black Sessions, this marks the first time eager fans are able to get their hands on such a collection. Their 11-song performance at 2006’s Summer Breeze Festival in Germany is a bittersweet release, because on one hand, the audio and video recordings are immaculate, but on the other hand, it’s too short considering they have seven full-lengths from which to pull material.
Even if it’s impossible for a long-running unit like Katatonia to please each and every person when it comes to track selection, Live Consternation’s is sturdy. Still, it would’ve been nice for a selection from Dance of December Souls and Brave Murder Day to appear, though it’s naïve to expect they would include anything from that bygone era. Instead, per the tracklist at the bottom, they stick to more recent releases except Last Fair Deal Gone Down, which is a shame since it’s my favorite album.
As said earlier, the production is superb. Of course the CD and DVD contain the same songs, and each format offers its advantages. Speaking of the DVD portion, the multi-camera/multi-angle approach is great in theory, though the cinematographers here shift from camera to camera too much for my liking. It’s a minor issue, however, as is the occasional ill-fitting use of slo-mo. The split screen is a nice touch, though, and the show runs smoothly. There’s also footage of the crowd, and accompanying interaction, which is always fun to watch. Katatonia do move from song to song quickly, but festival schedules are usually tight, so their swiftness is understandable. Jonas Renkse turns in a fantastic performance as the band’s vocalist, while the other musicians play their parts with aplomb. They don’t go crazy on stage, but are still energetic, letting the material speak for itself. Predictably, the CD is a carbon copy of the audio, and was presumably recorded directly through the soundboard.
Optimally, a live DVD will be recorded when a band is headlining with a chance to play upwards of 15 or 20 songs – depending on respective lengths, of course – so Live Consternation is disappointing in the sense that it’s far too brief. Also, it would’ve been cool had they provided extras such as documentaries, pictures, etc., even if this isn’t supposed to be a DVD of Amon Amarth proportions. Nonetheless, this comes as an easy recommendation to fans of this remarkable band. If you’ve never seen them in concert before, now’s your chance. Do take it.
1. Leaders (The Great Cold Distance)
2. Wealth (Viva Emptiness)
3. Soil’s Song (The Great Cold Distance)
4. Had to (Leave) (Tonight’s Decision)
5. Cold Ways (Discouraged Ones)
6. Right into the Bliss (Tonight’s Decision)
7. Ghost of the Sun (Viva Emptiness)
8. Criminals (Viva Emptiness)
9. Deliberation (The Great Cold Distance)
10. July (The Great Cold Distance)
11. Evidence (Viva Emptiness)
Official Katatonia Website
Official Peaceville Records Website
Peaceville Records – CDVILE179X – May 28, 2007
By Jason Jordan
A standalone Katatonia live release is long overdue, and here it is in the form of CD/DVD combo Live Consternation. Aside from the live DVD included in the 3-disc boxset The Black Sessions, this marks the first time eager fans are able to get their hands on such a collection. Their 11-song performance at 2006’s Summer Breeze Festival in Germany is a bittersweet release, because on one hand, the audio and video recordings are immaculate, but on the other hand, it’s too short considering they have seven full-lengths from which to pull material.
Even if it’s impossible for a long-running unit like Katatonia to please each and every person when it comes to track selection, Live Consternation’s is sturdy. Still, it would’ve been nice for a selection from Dance of December Souls and Brave Murder Day to appear, though it’s naïve to expect they would include anything from that bygone era. Instead, per the tracklist at the bottom, they stick to more recent releases except Last Fair Deal Gone Down, which is a shame since it’s my favorite album.
As said earlier, the production is superb. Of course the CD and DVD contain the same songs, and each format offers its advantages. Speaking of the DVD portion, the multi-camera/multi-angle approach is great in theory, though the cinematographers here shift from camera to camera too much for my liking. It’s a minor issue, however, as is the occasional ill-fitting use of slo-mo. The split screen is a nice touch, though, and the show runs smoothly. There’s also footage of the crowd, and accompanying interaction, which is always fun to watch. Katatonia do move from song to song quickly, but festival schedules are usually tight, so their swiftness is understandable. Jonas Renkse turns in a fantastic performance as the band’s vocalist, while the other musicians play their parts with aplomb. They don’t go crazy on stage, but are still energetic, letting the material speak for itself. Predictably, the CD is a carbon copy of the audio, and was presumably recorded directly through the soundboard.
Optimally, a live DVD will be recorded when a band is headlining with a chance to play upwards of 15 or 20 songs – depending on respective lengths, of course – so Live Consternation is disappointing in the sense that it’s far too brief. Also, it would’ve been cool had they provided extras such as documentaries, pictures, etc., even if this isn’t supposed to be a DVD of Amon Amarth proportions. Nonetheless, this comes as an easy recommendation to fans of this remarkable band. If you’ve never seen them in concert before, now’s your chance. Do take it.
1. Leaders (The Great Cold Distance)
2. Wealth (Viva Emptiness)
3. Soil’s Song (The Great Cold Distance)
4. Had to (Leave) (Tonight’s Decision)
5. Cold Ways (Discouraged Ones)
6. Right into the Bliss (Tonight’s Decision)
7. Ghost of the Sun (Viva Emptiness)
8. Criminals (Viva Emptiness)
9. Deliberation (The Great Cold Distance)
10. July (The Great Cold Distance)
11. Evidence (Viva Emptiness)
Official Katatonia Website
Official Peaceville Records Website
