Katatonia "The Great Cold Distance" (Peaceville)
By Eric Chon
Tuesday. Mar 07, 3:21 AM
A stirring example of metal's power to be evocative.

You’d think that the sheer epic-ness of metal would go hand-in-hand with melancholy and bleakness. Oftentimes, however, the result is mixed: either it goes too far over the top and ends in silliness or it does the opposite and loses all sense of power and strength. It’s a tricky balancing point to avoid maudlin melodrama and to keep it heavy, and Sweden’s Katatonia shows us how it’s done properly with their latest The Great Cold Distance.

Clearly a leader in the doomdeath genre, Katatonia distance themselves from their contemporaries by concentrating on somber, clean vocals and dissonant and artful melodies. The Great Cold Distance sees them further develop and perfect their style while still retaining their metallic edge. Tracks like “My Twin” and “Rusted” are at once both lightly atmospheric and heavy with metal riffage, gliding between the two extremes with ease. Within the mix, Katatonia manage to include catchy hooks and groove-laden melodies that draw you in.

Jonas Rinkse’s vocals remain morose and forlorn, oftentimes providing a wonderful counter to the music’s constant rise and fall. It’s a beautifully haunting voice that contrasts with the incredibly spiteful and angry lyrics. All this is delivered alongside deep and complex musicianship that never fails to surprise. It’s easy to see that they draw from a well of influences much larger than that of other metal bands: hints of The Cure, Sisters Of Mercy, and Pink Floyd pepper their sonic landscape, giving the album a broad appeal without compromise.

Quieter, more contemplative, and certainly more depressing than most in the metal world, Katatonia have released yet another solid album that stands apart even their own contemporaries in the doomdeath world. Masterful musicianship and brilliant vocal melodies make The Great Cold Distance a unique and stirring listening experience that should not be missed.
www.katatonia.com
www.peaceville.com

Eric Chon

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