The Bottom Line
Dark and dynamic metal.
Pros
- The songs are very melodic with great dynamics.
Cons
- None.
Description
- Released in North America April 4, 2006 on Peaceville Records.
- Produced by vocalist Jonas Renske and guitarist Anders Nystrom.
- The album was recorded at the Fascination Street studio in Örebro, Sweden
- This is the band's seventh studio album.
Guide Review - Katatonia - The Great Cold Distance
The Swedish band Katatonia has evolved quite a bit over the years, and on their latest release have really honed their style. It's straight ahead metal with a lot of doom influences and a little goth thrown in. The thing that makes them stand out is the level of dynamics within their music. They go from soft and pretty to loud and brutal and everything in between.
Jonas Renske's vocals are also unusual. They are very laid back and mellow. He does become a little more intense when the music is intense, but compared to most metal vocalists his style is a lot more subdued.
The music is very atmospheric and gloomy but also has a lot of chunky riffs. As the title of the album indicates, Katatonia is going for a detached, cold sound. They succeed in doing that, but also maintain enough emotion that the listener remains fully engaged.
