Katatonia: Night Is the New Day
Katatonia: Night Is the New Day
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Monday, 23, Nov 2009 01:14
Peaceville Records, out now.
What's it all about?
Night Is the New Day is the eighth release by Katatonia and signals an altogether more introspective record with less angry vocals, more melodic guitar work and, in the words of the band themselves, the "most varied, diverse and possibly strongest s*** all together on one and the same album".
They're not wrong, either; it's a vast departure from even release number seven - The Great Cold Distance - which had a much sharper edge to the guitars and drum work.
Who's it by?
Katatonia have been around for absolutely years. After a brief split in their early days, the group are now into their 13th year. Originating from Stockholm, they're one of the many cornerstones of the Scandinavian rock scene.
They're one of those bands who tends to differ their style not so much gradually but more from album to album, in an almost Incubus kind of way: easing up in their later years after a couple of angsty, heavier releases to kick off their careers. Katatonia also gone through a few personnel changes, with only vocalist Jonas Renkse and guitarist Anders Nystrom staying on from the band's formation in 1991 and perhaps taking style changes from newer members.
What the others say
"Overall, this is a very beautiful and reflective album, though at this point Katatonia are only notionally a metal band, much more focused on moody (as in Moody Blues) beauty than vulgar displays of power." - allmusic
"Katatonia has completely transcended the genre they helped create with an album that defies categorisation, its appeal going far beyond metal, goth, or what have you, the sound of a veteran band finally having all the pieces fall into place at the perfect time." - PopMatters
So is it any good?
This is the kind of record that people want to hate. The cover alone marks it out to be a little more stereotypical than it lets on, but in reality, it's remarkably balanced.
It's easy to take umbrage at a record from Scandinavia, without being outright racist. Bands of this style from the nations with cross flags seem to exude visions of long blond hair, hateful lyrics and bleak outlooks. And while some of that may be a little true with this release, it's hardly dislikeable.
There's elements of all sorts in here. You've got a bit of Dimmu Borgir's classical-style death metal, riffs that wouldn't be out of place on a Rush album or other 70s bands of that American rock ilk, as well as plenty of modern rock in there too - but not overdoing it in a Nickelback or Metallica kind of way. It's just right.
Certain songs are genuinely beautiful too, harnessing the full power of strings to deliver that little extra beauty, in turn giving the songs added depth and emotion. It never quite feels pretentious but doesn't feel like it's dancing on a knife's edge between "acceptable" and "just a little bit too much".
Look, this isn't going to appeal to quite a lot of people, and the cover may look intimidating enough for people to turn it down, but the amount of variety in this offering is pretty astounding. Anyone into any facets of folk, rock, metal or even classical will likely get something from this. Not an amazing amount, but the odd song will knock you off your feet.
7.5/10
Matt Gardner