Katatonia - The Fall of Hearts (2016)

So, “The Fall of Hearts” is finally here. Since, the release of the two singles “Old Heart Falls” and “Serein”, I was anticipating this album so much. I’ve found one thing with Katatonia, from “Last Fair Deal Gone Down” they have never been deviated from their formula but this thing either makes the sound deja-vu or may be new-new. Here, I feel a new wave of Katatonia though there is no such uniqueness in this album but still Moilanen and Ojersson brought a good contribution. The key highlight that I have observed is about the guitar tone, the rhythms are not the chuggs nor much vicious but smooth and lead-esque. They never really focus much on the solos/leads but in this album the tone is marvelous. The little harmonies in the background are just toothsome, percussion and acoustic combinations are very fascinating, keyboard and effects work are also appreciable in this album and this is what giving each song a new atmosphere. All applause to Ojersson for the solos as well as to Nystrom for the rhythm part. As always, Renkse maintains a well-balanced vocal combination with all the vocal effects.

Tool, Porcupine Tree and Opeth influence truly have overshadowed in this album and the impact is prominent and reflects. Katatonia mean low spirits and yes, that’s true but to me, this album is the most “Progressive” among the Katatonia’s discography. This is not depressive rock at all. The lyrical themes are somewhat bleak and only “Decima” can be described as gloomy among other songs. The way this band had improvised their classics in “Sanctitude”, I expected there would be something big coming from them and now with this solid addition, it has been proved. 

Review of compilation Kocytean by Katatonia

Katatonia is like a must have band in my playlist for many year. The post-Scandinavian blends with Canterbury inspired sound is the prominent  feature of this act. Well, I usually don't prefer to listen or even check compilation type stuffs until it has some new elements or remastered version but still when it comes to Katatonia, I seriously couldn't stay behind.
So, 'Kocytean' - pretty unusual name or seems like more esoteric or dwelling, derived from Greek mythology called 'the river of wailing' or some underwater thing. The compilation is limited to some 2000 copies and released as 12" vinyl. It contains 6 tracks, three tracks on each side of the record. This is a Record Store Day exclusive release that has been celebrated on April 19th. Starts with the artwork, the name says everything 'Travis Smith' who did artwork for Amorphis etc. While surfing the web I came across that Anders comments on how the idea came up behind the artwork “I had this scenario playing over and over in my head and together with my graphics shrink Travis Smith decided to convey them down into a series of four images where it takes you through struggle, despair, tranquility and hope”. - enough said. A mighty and sacred piece of art, the last image is very much similar to the art of their previous track 'Unfurl' which purely explains the image: 'Releasing the vapor into the lungs, letting the wings unfurl.'

Opens with 'Unfurl' - which appeared in 'July' EP 2007, perfectly combines the electro & post-melo sound together; a more atmospheric doomy style followed by "Sold Heart" was originally released on the EP "The Longest Year." Renkse's harmonized vocals is just amazing, used mostly clean guitar along with reverb in this song. Then we have 'Ashen' which appeared in 'Night Is The New Day' in 2009, a more electro-harmonic based vocal along with the combination of traditional clean and distorted guitar work but the tempo is not the same and variates in between.'Second' is from 'Dead End Kings' released back in 2012, one of my favorite track has a fairly slow tempo which upbrings with rhthm guitar, love the guitar work in this song, twinkling back in the whole song. The second last rack 'Code Against Code' is taken from my favorite album 'The Great Cold Distance' starts of with a delay-clean guitar, there is a drum interlude in the song and it has nearly the same pattern through out the song. The last rack is  'The Act of Darkening' taken from 'Dead End Kings' it has one depressive pattern from the start followed by acoustic strum and beats having some violin in behind; lovely track BTW soothing, calm and moderate. For Katatonia lovers and collectors, it is surely be a must have. :)

See Us Sleep Behind The Glass...Unaware of crime! (Review of The Great Cold Distance (2006) by Katatonia)

When I listen 'In Silence Enshrined' and then 'Unfurl', I emphasize myself to think; time amends. Well the kvlt doomy Katatonia which I still love to listen is no more since 'Discouraged Ones' (1998) which was the first release to offer clean vocals. Despite of changing the genre, the playing style, vocals, lyrical theme; they still underrated while this had alienated a number of people who love the old-school but they opened much wider to approach the fans of alternative/progressive, but indeed it is debatable, I went no backward nor I feel estrange from one of my favourite band.
'The Great Cold Distance' is the seventh full-length which enlighten their departure from doom/death towards unclassifiable genre but why not to assigned? because the new wave of Katatonia has a blend of different style: doom/alternative/progressive/depressive/gothic; but still they are a metal band and that is fair enough.
Well, the consistency brought much improvement from predecessor 'Viva Emptiness', the art-work, the lyrical workout everything is good as compared. Personally, I really enjoyed the album, one thing is that Jonas knows how to nib down the moor of feelings. Each song has its own theme, just by seeing the lyrics may be someone thinks it is as usual but by listening the song and then grasping, one can know what its all about. BTW, I can't imagine that Renske has got some very melodic and melancholy throat as he growls (not any more) but also sings very smooth and serene which complements the music of Katatonia.

(I have the same poster in my room) 

The distorted guitar work is good ranging with some heavy power-chords but still as a fan of acoustic, I am missing it. It could have made a good impact but nonetheless a good one. I think bass solos should have in the album which suits the dark/depressive sense but not a big issue though. Some folks said, the album do have good writing/vocal skills but more or less every song have the same pattern of composition, same heavy pseudo riffs along with the drum strokes. Well, Katatonia is a creative act. I don't feel this but yeah, they have their own style so one can say yus there's Katatonia (a trademark).
Its a must have for everyone not only for the metal-heads. It has a arm wide open. Cheers! \m/

(The Unfurl official tee and the poster that I have)