Katatonia - The Fall of Hearts (2016)

For every album that has passed, Katatonia has become more progressive and less aggressive in their sound, starting out as a blackened doom metal (with the members having black metal names and everything), all the way to where they are now, a more calm, gothic progressive metal band that relies more on melodies than brutality. It is a journey that other bands have done (Opeth, Amorphis, etc.), but Katatonia stands out as the only band that probably have left their roots on the attic. Okay, it was a long time ago they did the major change, but still, hearing this, their 11th studio album "The Fall of Hearts", and comparing it to their debut record, "Dance of December Souls" from 1993, and you would think that it was two different bands that made these records.

The first thing I notice about "The Fall of Hearts" are the guitars, which are calmer and quieter, and I am not sure if I fully like it. Sure, it creates a mood that fits the band really well and gives the album a nice personality, but they take away a lot of the only thing that kept Katatonia being a metal band. It continues mostly in the style of "Dethroned & Uncrowned", which is the acoustic version of the amazing album "Dead End Kings", and while I personally disliked "Dethroned & Uncrowned" for ruining "Dead End Kings", I knew that the style on that album could work with music that was specifically written for that album. Well, here we have it.

With all of that said, I still think the guitar work is excellent, and the few heavy bits that are in fits well, and are not thrown in for the fan's sake. The rest of the performance is as expected of the band, high quality work, with everyone contributing in creating a magical and emotional album. Jonas Renkse has one of the smoothest vocals in the industry, and you easily get mesmerized when you listen to him singing, and the drum work by Daniel Moilanen are spiritual and uplifting.

As a reviewer, it is hard to listen to "The Fall of Hearts", because you get easily entranced by its magical sound, making you forget all about space and time, and when it all is over, it will not feel like it has gone 1 hour and 7 minutes, but more like a half hour. This is the sole reason to why I have not finished this review earlier, because I just let go of my focus and start to relax, a reflex that still is there, even after 10+ listens. I am of course a little frustrated over this, because I wanna get this review done, but at the same time, I am okay with it, because I highly enjoy the feelings that this album gives me, and to still experience them after several repeated listening sessions is incredible.

Now, I usually try to point out a few songs that stands out in the album, but the truth here is that there are no true stand outs on "The Fall of Hearts", every song is just as strong as the next one, and while none of them might be too memorable, they work extremely well together and creates a big, solid entity. The song writing is just so superb, so fluent, so soothing that you could wash away all of your sins with it. The only track that steers off on its own is the final song "Passer", which is without a doubt the heaviest song on the album, but it fits into the rest of the songs seamlessly, so it almost seems like the heavier tone does not really matter here, it is just a added bonus. This is ultimately an album that should be listened in its entirety, any other way is simply not doing it justice.

"The Fall of Hearts" is a very reasonable follow up to "Dead End Kings", taking its magical sound and develop it even further. Katatonia keeps delivering some stunning music that is easy to swallow, and even if this barely would be considered a metal album, it is just heavy enough to make the most out of it. It might even be one of the best Katatonia album ever made, holding the high quality that the band has put out during its career, and you will most certainly love this album if you are into gothic doom metal. A fall of hearts, but certainly not a fall from grace.

Songs worthy of recognition: Seriously, just take them all in, they deserve it

Rating: 9,5/10 Seracs

Katatonia - Dethroned & Uncrowned (2013)

It was only a mere year ago since the Swedish gothic doom band Katatonia released a album. That album was "Dead End Kings" and was a excellent display of the band's capability. Before I listened to this new record entitled "Dethroned & Uncrowned", I had to go back to "Dead End Kings" and remember the songs from there. Why? Because this album is practically "Dead End Kings". Katatonia has taken the song names and the lyrics from "Dead End Kings", got rid of the drums and the heavy guitars and given the songs a acoustic sound. Yes, these are re imagined versions of the songs in "Dead End Kings".

What are my thoughts of this album? Well I personally feel that the band is covering them self. It is a pretty neat idea, but I feel that the band should be focusing on writing new material instead of reinventing their old. Then again, it is exciting to see two sides of the same coin I guess.

To continue this review, I thought why not have a battle, song versus song. Sounds good? No? Well fuck you too. My blog, my rules. Here we go.

The Parting Vs. The Parting
This song was pretty good in both albums, although I think that the guitar part near the end of the song has more effect with the string instruments on Dethroned. A very close fight that Dethroned wins in Sudden Death.

The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here Vs. The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here
This is one of the more boring songs on both of the albums, so I am going with the version that has the most "action" in it. So the winner here is the original from "Dead End King".

Hypnone Vs. Hypnone
This is a powerful song, and I think that powerful songs like this need a clean and determined guitar to really pop out. So this is a no brainer for me. "Dead End King" version wins.

The Racing Heart Vs. The Racing Heart
Very few differences between these two songs. There may be some faster beats in the end of the "Dead End King" version, but it is not enough for me to see them as two individual versions. So this match up ends in a tie.

Buildings Vs. Buildings
This is one of my favourites from "Dead End Kings", so I did not expect that the Dethroned version would top it, which it did not. However, I still liked that version very much with its maracas beats and mellow mood. Still, one more point for "Dead End Kings"

Leech Vs. Leech
This is one of my least favourite songs in both versions. Do not like the overall feel that the song brings. But the Dethroned version is better because it feels right too keep the same slow tempo throughout the song. One point for Dethroned.

Ambitions Vs. Ambitions
This is another close match up. Both versions captures the pain and misery that the song stands for in their own unique ways. So the only way to separate them is to see which song is more metal. That win goes to the original version.

Undo You Vs. Undo You
Did not like this song last year, and I do not like this song this year. So no points for neither of the albums.

Lethean Vs. Lethean
The acoustic version is fine, but it is not the same without the nice guitar solo. So it is a easy win for the original version.

First Prayer Vs. First Prayer
This is a pretty bland song, but it gives a even match up between the two versions. Both versions have valid reasons to win so the winner is the one that came first.

Dead Letters Vs. Dead Letters
My favourite song from "Dead End Kings". Really love the Tool vibes I get from this song. How about the Dethroned version? No, it does not have the same powerful effect, so it is another clear win for the original.

Final Score: "Dead End Kings" 8 - 3 "Dethroned & Uncrowned"

Not surprisingly, "Dead End Kings" is the superior of the albums, but "Dethroned & Uncrowned" has its moments where the acoustic sound really makes an impact on the listener. But I still feel like this album is a cover album that comes way too soon after the original. If you liked "Dead End Kings" you will probably learn to enjoy "Dethroned & Uncrowned", but I see it as a unnecessary waste of time for Katatonia and their talent.

Songs worthy of recognition: The Parting, Ambitions

Rating: 4,5/10 Leeches