Review Vampire Magazine
Life has never been the same again since the day Ive heard Dance of December Souls. Back in the early nineties Katatonia started out as a melancholic blackened doom metal act. On Discouraged Ones their style changed as the growls disappeared and also the next album would be one big ode to the forlorn gods of distress. On Last Fair Deal Gone Down and the previous Viva Emptiness the band explored the boundaries of their wonderful music even more and songs could easily turn into hits.
I wondered whether this progression would continue on the upcoming The Great Cold Distance. During the long wait of three years Blakkheim and his companions didnt weaken. The Long Great Distance is the natural and most logical sequel on Viva Emptiness. Jonas Renkses voice sounds more fragile than ever and the Nyström Norrman tandem plays heavier than before. First song Leaders is totally what to expect from Katatonia. The music may seem to be a cakewalk, I dare you to listen more carefully. The extra bleeps and detailed drum work makes each spin a new challenge. Songs like My Twin, the beautiful Rusted or my personal favourite July (makes me think a bit of Evidence) just scream for an international break through. But Katatonia fans relax, the band hasnt sold out. The Great Cold Distance is perhaps even darker and a bit heavier than its predecessor and without any doubt it surpasses the last two albums in terms of quality.
Katatonia have built their status rather slow, but their fundaments are immensely strong. I have followed the band since they have started out and its one of the few whose style change I understand. It just cant go wrong with this album. This will be the best release of this year. Breathtaking
LINK: http://www.vampire-magazine.com/album_reviews/katatonia/41039_katatonia_the_great_cold_distance.html
Life has never been the same again since the day Ive heard Dance of December Souls. Back in the early nineties Katatonia started out as a melancholic blackened doom metal act. On Discouraged Ones their style changed as the growls disappeared and also the next album would be one big ode to the forlorn gods of distress. On Last Fair Deal Gone Down and the previous Viva Emptiness the band explored the boundaries of their wonderful music even more and songs could easily turn into hits.
I wondered whether this progression would continue on the upcoming The Great Cold Distance. During the long wait of three years Blakkheim and his companions didnt weaken. The Long Great Distance is the natural and most logical sequel on Viva Emptiness. Jonas Renkses voice sounds more fragile than ever and the Nyström Norrman tandem plays heavier than before. First song Leaders is totally what to expect from Katatonia. The music may seem to be a cakewalk, I dare you to listen more carefully. The extra bleeps and detailed drum work makes each spin a new challenge. Songs like My Twin, the beautiful Rusted or my personal favourite July (makes me think a bit of Evidence) just scream for an international break through. But Katatonia fans relax, the band hasnt sold out. The Great Cold Distance is perhaps even darker and a bit heavier than its predecessor and without any doubt it surpasses the last two albums in terms of quality.
Katatonia have built their status rather slow, but their fundaments are immensely strong. I have followed the band since they have started out and its one of the few whose style change I understand. It just cant go wrong with this album. This will be the best release of this year. Breathtaking
LINK: http://www.vampire-magazine.com/album_reviews/katatonia/41039_katatonia_the_great_cold_distance.html
