REVIEW: KATATONIA - LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN

 

KATATONIA - LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN (Peaceville Recs. - 2001): As they always did, Katatonia manages this time to surprise you with their newest recording. The atmospheres so depressing in their previous recording are present here two but in a more subtle way: as one can see in opener "Dispossession" (sort of Pink Floyd in some places, specially in the vocals). There is more contrast between the heavier parts such as the ones present in "Chrome" and the cleaner ones ("We Must Bury You" (with great lyrics)) specially when they are put one next to each other. What amazes here is the sound that is cleaner and more up to the fron than in previous recordings…I think the production is much better here (the CD was recorded on the great Sunlight Studios from Sweden and was recorded, mixed and engineered by legend Tomas Skogsberg, Jocke Petterson and Katatonia themselves). What I like from Katatonia is their hability to make a fusion of metal, gothic, dark and experimental music to create their own style (and this have made fans form such different styles as death/black metal and gothic music to like them). Jonas Renkse vocals are as charming, hypnotic and personal as always (check as an example "Tonight´s Music") and Anders Nyström and Fred Norrman are amazing in their job of constructing the songs with rhythms and subtle melodies. Katatonia is one of those bands that never will dissapoint you. My favorite tracks: "We Must Bury You", "The Future of Speech" (great orchestration) and "Sweet Nurse". Contact: www.peaceville.com