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Katatonia: Night is the new day
23/11/09 || Euthanatos
Granted, the title is terrible, sounds like a fashion statement. The album, though, the latest in Katatonia’s amazing discography, is on-par with their distinguished quality, and that’s quite a relief.
Duff nailed it when he said that, with “The Great Cold Distance”, Katatonia was more accessible than ever. Some may not like that, particularly the metal elite that thinks the more underground a band, the better. I don’t agree with that axiom at all, and “The Great Cold Distance” quickly became my favorite Katatonia album. The melodies, vocal harmonies, everything about it moved me a great deal. Yes, even the silly lyrics. Soil in my throat indeed. So, I was hesitant at first about “Night is the New Day”. It had, at least in my mind, immense shoes to fill, and after giving it a first spin, I was somewhat disappointed. I liked it, but didn’t feel it was amazing. And it had to be, at least to make me feel something positive about it. But then, I listened to it some more. And more. Once again. I finally realized, that while this may not be Katatonia’s best album, or better than its predecessor, it’s really fucking good. Like drinking vodka out of a hooker’s asshole good.
Jonas Renkse’s vocals remain the same, that ethereal, really peaceful singing, almost a whisper at times. I like his vocals, they sound intimate, like their telling you a story. Or buttering you up before he fucks you. Either way, I like it. Song-writing wise, Katatonia claim this to be their most diverse album yet. I honestly fail to see it, it sounds just like the stuff they’ve always done, a bit closer to “Viva Emptiness” than “The Great Cold Distance”, but undeniably Katatonia (of late). I think that’s what has truly fascinated me about this new album; the fact that this band has essentially been releasing the same shit for years now, but it’s tremendously quality shit and I’ll eat it up in one scoop any day of the week.
“Forsaker”, “Idle Blood”, “Nephilim”, “Liberation” just happen to be my favorites, but pick any song off of “Night is the New Day” and you’re guaranteed a great track. It’s not innovative, I’d hardly even categorize Katatonia as metal anymore, but damn, is this good stuff. Haunting rock music with just the right amount of heaviness. This is also one of those albums you really have to give a chance, listening to it several times. It takes time to actually “get it”, while Katatonia haven’t changed their sound per se, there are some more delicate elements that are worth sticking your ear out to appreciate them fully.
We can only pick 5 albums in our best-of-the-year list, so aside from the five you’ll be seeing from me when the list comes out, I’d definitely rate this one and the new Swallow the Sun as among the better records of 2009. Great stuff.
The cover: Love it. Gray angel over a skyline at dusk.
- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Peaceville
- Website: www.katatonia.com
- Band
- Jonas Renkse: vocals, programming
- Anders “Blakkheim” Nyström: guitars, programming, backing vocals
- Fredrik “North” Norrman: guitars
- Mattias “Kryptan” Norrman: bass
- Daniel Liljekvist: drums, percussion
- Tracklist
- 01. Forsaker
- 02. The Longest Year
- 03. Idle Blood
- 04. Onward Into Battle
- 05. Liberation
- 06. The Promise of Deceit
- 07. Nephilim
- 08. New Night
- 09. Inheritance
- 10. Day & Then the Shade
- 11. Departer
