Katatonia
Ihva Elohim Meth... the Revival (Mcd) 1992 Vic Records
Looking at the pictures of A. Nytröm (then Blackheim) and J. Renkse (then Lord Seth) in the booklet one expects to hear some brutal and not too serious black-metal. With totally over the top corpse paint and Blackheim looking all "evil" with his axe the last thing you expect is the serious high quality dark metal found on this 17 minute long shiny disk. But that is just what you will get from this first Katatonia release. As the title already hints (Ihva Elohim Meth means God is dead), lyrically and vocally (screams) there are some black-metal references. But the dark, desperate and brooding atmosphere this album breathes is just of too high a quality to be left unmentioned. After the intro the listener is greeted by the original version of 'Without God'. I actually enjoy this version more then the later version on 'Dance of December Souls'. If you're a fan of the newer Katatonia albums I will advice you to listen first because it's a lot more extreme than their new work, especially because of the harsh screams.	1. Midwinter gates 2. Without god 3. Palace of frost 4. The nothern silence 5. Crimson tears Approx. 17 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Dance of December Souls (CD) 1993 No Fashion
'Dance of December Souls' is the main reason why Katatonia has been featured on this page. The harsh, mournful sound found on this album definately make it a classic. Just as on 'Ihva Elohim Meth' J. Renkse uses his sick sounding screams. The monotone or numb sound Katatonia is known for is present on this album, but all in all it is more a dark and sickening sound that defines this album. When J. Renkse screams "let me die" in desperation you really feel his pain and anger. When the entire album is finished you can not help but think about the pain that these poor souls must be in. Most people also remember this album for perhaps their best known song from their old records: 'Without God'. However as I've stated in my review of 'Ihva Elohim Meth' I enjoy the version found on this album less. This mainly because of adding such words as "fuck" to a lyric like "die without your fucking god". Once again I advice fans of the new Katatonia albums to listen to this album before getting it, as it truly very different from the new work. But well worth getting into!	1. Seven dreaming souls 2. Gateways of bereavement 3. In silence enshrined 4. Without god 5. Elohim meth 6. Velvet thorns (of drynwhyl) 7. Tomb of insomnia 8. Dancing december Approx. 53 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
For Funerals to Come (Mcd) 1995 Avantgarde
According to the members of Katatonia, this album was "recorded and mixed...during one lonely day in early september 1994". This is possible, considering that it lasts only 18 minutes and that it contains only four tracks, the last one being an unnecessary noise track. But I'm sure that the period they needed to compose the tracks, especially the first two ones, lasted more than "one lonely day". 'Funeral wedding' and 'Shades of emerald fields' are pretty complicated tracks and they offer very well produced, melodic, guitar orientated doom death full of variation and rhythm changes, with only some keyboards here and there to enhance the sad atmosphere. The third track is a sad, slow acoustic melody with highly distorted vocals. Like I said before, the last track is a pretty unnecessary noise track. I'm sure that if this was a full album, it would be one of the most popular Katatonia albums for doom metal fans.	1. Funeral wedding 2. Shades of emerald fields 3. For funerals to come 4. Epistel Approx. 18 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Brave Murder Day (CD) 1996 Avantgarde
Probably the ultimate Katatonia album. In this work, the band retained the most interesting elements from their previous albums: sadness, melodious guitar work and depressive lyrics. But they added some more interesting elements: a lethargic, repetitive guitar sound, Mike Åkerfeldt's [Editor Note: The frontman from Opeth] incredible screams, a strange acoustic song featuring Renkse's clear vocals (Day) and a monotonous, very melancholic atmosphere. The lyrics couldn't fit better with the band name, or what do you think of this: "...the sound of falling when the pictures are moving between the memories...". The production is still underground and it could be better, especially the drums sound a bit too weak and clinical at times (some people mistakedly believe that they used a drum computer on this album...), but from the other side, it contributes to the general feeling of "numbness" and apathy that this album breaths. Definately a must have!	1. Brave 2. Murder 3. Day 4. Rainroom 5. 12 6. Endtime Approx. 41 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Sounds of Decay (Mcd) 1997 Avantgarde
Leave it to me to find 3 "leftover tracks" to be Katatonia's best release. The 3 tracks found on this Mcd are all in the style of 'Brave Murder Day' and would not have been out of place to just have been featured on that album. This also means we can once more enjoy the vocal genius of Opeth frontman M. Åkerfeldt (like on 'Brave Murder Day' only his grunt). Just like on 'Brave Murder Day' the songs are monotone and put across a feeling of numbness. A track like 'Nowhere' simply makes you feel dead inside: why even try? Why not just give up all hope? What does it all still matter? It's of no use anyway... Not even a glimpse of hope can be found on this Mcd. It's a shame that the last track is considerably weaker than the first two.	1. Nowhere 2. At last 3. Inside the fall Approx. 18 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Saw you Drown (Mcd) 1998 Avantgarde
This rather rare collectors item (limited to 1.500 copies) holds 4 tracks of which 3 have also been released on other albums. The first two tracks 'Saw you Drown' and 'Nerve' can also be found on the 'Discouraged Ones' album and the forth track 'Scarlet Heavens' was previously released on another limited EP. This means that only the third track, 'Quiet World', is really new. I won't bother describing the first two songs for obvious reasons. So on to 'Quiet World'. This track is in the style of 'Discouraged Ones'. It is a slow, numb and catatonic sounding track that would have fitted on 'Discouraged Ones' with ease. 'Scarlet Heavens' however is a different story. It for one is a much longer track, passing the 10 minute mark. It is also a bit more up-tempo but without losing that trademark bleak sound Katatonia are well known for. J. Renkse uses clean vocals but not as fragile as on 'Discouraged Ones' or 'Tonight's Decision'. Because both 'Quiet World' and 'Scarlet Heavens' are good songs this is a Mcd well worth having. So it really is a shame their record company made it so limited.	1. Saw you drown 2. Nerve 3. Quiet world 4. Scarlet heavens Approx. 24 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Discouraged ones (CD) 1998 Avantgarde
Since 'Brave Murder Day', it became clear that Katatonia was searching for new ways of expression. But not everybody expected that they would completely abandon the harsh vocals and continue only with Renkse's clear vocals. This is actually the biggest difference with Katatonia's previous full length album. The clear vocals sound a bit mellow at times, but generally they fit with the still monotonous, melancholic guitar sound. The atmosphere is not as lethargic as on the previous album, and the production is much more powerful. Some may say that Katatonia now plays rock music, but I definately don't agree, because the guitar sound is still heavy and crunchy. No, Katatonia doesn't play doom metal any more, but it's difficult to ignore great tracks like 'deadhouse', 'relention' and 'saw you drown'.	1. I break 2. Stalemate 3. Deadhouse 4. Relention 5. Cold ways 6. Gone 7. Last resort 8. Nerve 9. Saw you drown 10. Instrumental 11. Distrust Approx. 46 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Tonight's Decision (CD) 1999 Peaceville
After having made the surprise move from Avantgarde to Peaceville this is the 4th full length album of Katatonia. Already having left their more metal sound behind on 'Discouraged Ones' they continue the way one would expect them too. The most notable feature is again J. Renkse clean vocals. If they weren't a "love em or hate em" issue before they definately have become so now. His vocals sound extremely fragile and compliment the music. Music that has incidentally become a little heavier again than on 'Discourged Ones'. The entire album is so melancholic, so desperate and puts across such a feeling of apathy that it is hard to remain unaffected. Katatonia always knew how to make deeply emotional music but on this album they might have reached a high point. Heaviness gets sacrificed to make deep melancholic music. The lyrics are so dead on correct in portraying the emotions and feelings of a depressed individual that you can't help but wonder what goes on in the heads of Katatonia's members. I will probably push it a little here but I think that this record simply proves that Katatonia are the masters of what I like to call Depressive rock.	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 Approx. 56 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Teargas (Mcd) 2001 Peaceville
This short EP features three tracks of which the title track is taken from the 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' album. Katatonia were involved with the production of this EP and they did a great job. The sound of this album isn't that different from that from the previous full-length, though the band have clearly progressed even more. The two guitars still make a great tandem while singer Renkse is standardly good. As this EP is only fourteen minutes long I believe only true fans of the band will make an effort to get a copy from this EP.	1. Teargas 2. Sulfur 3. March 4 Approx. 14 minutes
Reviewed by: Bojan Janjanin
Last Fair Deal Gone Down (CD) 2001 Peaceville
Throughout the years, much has changed in Katatonia's work. What didn't change, is their ability to write good music. 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' is another fine album of simple, yet moving music so typical for this Swedish outfit. Based on the first listen, the sound does not differ from the last full-length. A closer inspection reveals that the sound is more based on keyboards, although the tandem of Nyström's and Norrman's guitars are traditionally the foundation of the songs. The sound is a bit less depressive altogether, but nevertheless 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' is one hundred percent Katatonia. Songs that stand out are the almost radio friendly 'Teargas', 'Disposession' and a personal favorite of mine, 'The Future of Speech'. Travis Smith's artwork is once again amazing, which also adds to the overall impression. If you liked 'Discouraged Ones' or 'Tonight's Decision', this one will not disappoint.	1. Dispossession 2. Chrome 3. We must bury you 4. Teargas 5. I transpire 6. Tonight's music 7. Clean today 8. The future of speech 9. Passing bird 10. Sweet nurse 11. Don't tell a soul Approx. 51 minutes
Reviewed by: Bojan Janjanin
Viva Emptiness (CD) 2003 Peaceville
'Viva Emptiness' is Katatonia's sixth full-length album, and it ranks with their very best work. Beginning 13 years ago as a death/doom band, these Swedes have evolved steadily ever since, becoming more adept at songwriting even as they become more and more difficult to pigeonhole. What we've got now is an enigmatic blend of black/doom/goth/whatever that is perfect late-night comedown music for those with a taste for the Heavy. 'Viva Emptiness' is a refinement of the sound the band has been working on for the past couple of years, most notably with their last effort, 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down.' 'Viva' is both heavier and more engaging than 'Deal,' which to my mind was both more "samey" and less powerful than 'Viva.' The guitars on the new album are heavier, more punishing, and more varied, while the overall feeling reaches for that haunting, emotional, atmospheric gestalt they've been aiming for in the past. Vocalist Jonas Renkse throws down some seriously bleak, lonely lyrics with his trademark clean - one might say beautiful - intonation, laid over long, heavy, proggy instrumental arrangements. It's really not worth taking the album apart song by song, since the record works so well as a whole. Nevertheless, 'Criminals' - with its storytelling (heavy on the obscenity, fuckers!) and weighty atmosphere and 'Ghost of the Sun' with its hard guitars and screaming backup vocals stand as first among equals. The bleak Travis Smith artwork adds a welcome sense of urban gloom. If you're thinking that this music is rich in contrasts while providing an overall sense of doomed beauty, you're right. Anyone who's into Opeth, Amorphis, or Anathema (you guess which era) will definitely dig on this. But there are other, less obvious influences on Katatonia's sound, such as Will Oldham/Palace, Nick Drake, and I even hear Lou Barlow in his more melodic, melancholy moments on Sebadoh's 'Harmacy.' Yeah, I'm talking some significant folk influence here, and it works like a charm. 'Viva Emptiness' is the latest stop in Katatonia's continuing evolution to wherever they're going, and its damned good. I think their best work is still before them.	1. Ghost of the Sun 2. Sleeper 3. Criminals 4. A Premonition 5. Will I Arrive 6. Burn the Remembrance 7. Wealth 8. One Year from Now 9. Walking by a Wire 10. Complicity 11. Evidence 12. Omerta 13. Inside the City of Glass Approx. 53 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh