Track Listing
1. For my demons 2. I am nothing 3. In death, A song 4. Had to (Leave) 5. This punishment 6. Right into the bliss 7. No good can come of this 8. Strained 9. A darkness coming 10. Nightmares by the sea 11. Black session Year: 1999 Label: Peaceville - Official Site |
Katatonia - 'Tonight's decision' - By M. Freeman
Sweden's bleak musical maestros return with the second of their albums to use clean vocals throughout. Everything about this album fits together like a jigsaw puzzle, the music perfectly mirrors the images of the album's artwork (arranged by Travis Smith) and the whole depressive feel is a cornerstone of the bands style which must not be over-looked. The album fires up with what may be one of Katatonia's greatest achievements, 'For My Demons' plays in a similar way to the second track, 'I Am Nothing', with superb melodic choruses which will not fail to touch the depressive in you. By now it is already apparent that Katatonia have bettered their previous album 'Discouraged Ones' with a bulkier sound. The album now comes featuring two bonus tracks ('No Devotion' and 'Fractured') which both settle well in the atmosphere. The final track would otherwise have been the extraordinary 'Black Session', as well as being one of the bands longest pieces of music it contains some excellent lyrics and the musicianship is nothing short of spectacular. It would be unfair to single out any tracks as being standouts as the whole album is swelling with songs that all fill their rightful position on a great record. 'Nightmares By The Sea' is one of the very few cover versions Katatonia have produced, and they re-worked Jeff Buckley's classic brilliantly, it can be credited with the fact that those listeners who didn't know it was a cover version would very likely believe it was Katatonia again at their best. Jonas Renske, continuing on vocal duties, has never sounded so good, there is a much more obvious confidence within his voice that gives the album its true feel, a feel of loneliness and un-matched anguish and empathy. A clean production like never before is very easy to be heard on this album, and that is further helped along by the great musicianship shown by Anders Nystr�m. Nystr�m helps to flood the disc with that eerie depressive hopelessness and an endless abyss of melancholy which is now a proven formula for Katatonia. An abyss is the best way to describe 'Tonight's Decision', an abyss that you just can't help but fall in to, an abyss that will beg you not to leave. Metal Obsessive Grade: 94% |