Katatonia's "Dead End Kings"

[Nidstang]

Not sure about you guys, but I am fairly stoked for this album. The guitar production seems a tad dry compared to their last album, but the haunting atmosphere and progressive nuances are still there.

Its kicking my ass, tell me what ya think.

 

[Pelata]

I got the new song from them yesterday...it's killer stuff. They have become a favorite band of mine over these last few years.

 

[1000 Faces]

Can't wait for this album. I'm glad to see that they're working with Frank Default again -- I think he's added a lot to their sound over the last couple albums.

 

[Anomander Rake]

Extremely excited about this one, one of my favorite bands that never fail to impress.

 

[zinescene]

Ugh talk about drudging up old memories....I had a chance to see them at BraveWords & Bloody Knuckles and wasn't familiar with them so I went back to my hotel room before there set. After reading about them I started listening to the music and was floored and kicked my self for missing there set.

That said, I'm looking forward to the new release and a chance at redemption.

 

[Nidstang]

I've seen them twice now, their live preformances are always filled with haunting atmosphere.

 

[batmura]

Can't wait for this album. I'm glad to see that they're working with Frank Default again -- I think he's added a lot to their sound over the last couple albums.

Who is Frank Default? Sound producer? I thought Jens Bogren did a fantastic job on the last couple of Katatonia discs. As a matter of fact, I consider their last two the best in terms of sonic quality.

 

[Palabra de Dios]

First riff sounds very Tool-esque. Not a bad thing, just an observation.

 

[Pelata]

First riff sounds very Tool-esque. Not a bad thing, just an observation.

Yeah, that's the first impression a lot of people are having...I don't think it's a bad thing either.

 

[1000 Faces]

Who is Frank Default? Sound producer? I thought Jens Bogren did a fantastic job on the last couple of Katatonia discs. As a matter of fact, I consider their last two the best in terms of sonic quality.

He did the keyboards and sound effects on Night Is the New Day, as well as a remix of "Day and Then the Shade" that I think is better than the version on the album.

 

[KingsGene]

Via Kscope newsletter:

The Dead End Kings mini-site is now online at www.deadendkings.com. The site features info on the album, tour dates, downloads, videos and a free MP3 of the track Dead Letters. The site will be updated regularly in the lead up to the album release on August 27th so check back for more news, audio samples and more.

A continuation of 2009’s inspired & acclaimed Night is the New Day, Dead End Kings sees Katatonia conjure yet another milestone in audial melancholy & angst.

The Katatonia of 2012 is more potent, focused and creatively impactful than ever before. Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström - alongside guitarist Per Eriksson, bassist Niklas Sandin and drummer Daniel Liljekvist – are at the peak of their powers right now, and their brand new studio album Dead End Kings provides incontrovertible evidence of their unstoppable artistic momentum. A rich, adventurous and endlessly evocative masterwork that exhibits all the Swedish quintet’s established traits while absorbing countless fresh ideas into that monumental sonic brew, this is plainly the strongest and most beguiling album in the Katatonia catalogue to date. It also proves that sadness comes in many shades and that no one is safe from its cold allure.

“Dead End Kings represents progression and taking things to the next level,” says Renkse. ”The writing was a little more intense and spontaneous for this one. I think that’s the biggest difference. But it was made with the same mindset as the last few albums. It just had a little more fire involved. We don’t want to repeat ourselves. We are still hungry for new music.”

Dead End Kings was recorded at Ghost Ward Studios & The City Of Glass. The album was produced by Anders Nyström & Jonas Renkse, & mixed by David Castillo. Additionally, Katatonia is joined once again by Frank Default on sampling & atmospherics, plus a special guest appearance by Norwegian vocalist Silje Wergeland of Dutch legends The Gathering/ex-Octavia Sperati.
Artwork is supplied by long-time visual collaborator Travis Smith.

 

[KingsGene]

From http://www.bravewords.com/news/188484 :

Sweden’s KATATONIA have launched a promotional video for their upcoming Epic Kings & Idols North American tour. The clip features the brand new song, 'Buildings', in its entirety, taken from the band’s impending ninth studio album, Dead End Kings, out August 28th via Peaceville Records. Check out the new promo clip below:

​

Epic Kings & Idols will kick off early next month in Seattle, with co-headliners THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT. PARADISE LOST and STOLEN BABIES will round out the line-up for the 18-city, September trek.

Epic Kings & Idols dates include:

September
4 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven *
5 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore
7 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
8 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater
9 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theater *
11 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio
12 - Dallas, TX - Trees *
13 - Lawrence, KS - Granada *
14 - Denver, CO - Summit
16 - Minneapolis, MN - Station 4 *
17 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls *
19 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
20 - Montreal, QC - Cafe Campus
21 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
22 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA *
23 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza *
24 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live

* Katatonia headline

Katatonia recently announced dates for an extensive European tour. The band launched a teaser video for the tour, featuring a snippet of the new track, 'Lethean'. Check it out below:

​

 

[nomisofsiman]

Well, now that I unfortunately won't be able to do Progpower this year, looks like I will be making this show.

 

[KingsGene]

Via Katatonia's Facebook page: The whole new album is currently streaming via Canada's Exclaim! So it's just a click away to get it cranking! It's also streaming on Spotify for you who have that in your country. Enjoy!

 

[AngraRULES]

Another incredible album by an incredible band.

 

[jem777az]

Another incredible album by an incredible band.

+1

I'd love to see them on the 9th in Tempe, especially since they are headlining but I'm financially strapped with PP the next week.

 

[AeonicSlumber]

This band is unfuckwithable. New album is amazing.

 

[Pelata]

Listening to the new album on Spotify now...killer stuff.

 

[Nidstang]

So after listening to the album in full several times, a couple things came to mind.

Firstly, the overall production and sound reminded me alot of A Great Cold Distance, but with the emotional and haunting atmosphere that Night is a New Day brought with the samples and strings.

Tracks thats stood out the most, is defiantely The Racing Heart, Leech and Ambitions. These tracks are defiantely the more mellowed out songs on the album, but they had such great emotion and atmosphere to them. Jonas is at the top of his game when it comes to his smooth vocal delivery.

 

[TribunalRecords]

Album is good stuff, nothing really new. I heard a few nice new things added, but overall it is "Katatonia" that is for sure. Good.