Post by thesoundmonitor on Jun 21, 2004 8:29:24 GMT -5
KATATONIA
Brave Yester Days
(Century Media)
Katatonia are one of those bands who have had adjectives like 'depressing', 'dark' and 'atmospheric' used to describe them. And while I would agree with the ‘atmospheric’ label, the ‘depressing’ I do not. On their latest 2-disc release Brave Yester Days, they have chosen to release, as the title suggests, songs from the earlier years in their career (92-98). As such I was a little unsure as to how to approach this review. Long time fans would already be familiar with these songs and most likely own them in one form or another, however people unfamiliar with Katatonia will not and thus I will review it from the novice’s point of view.
The first 5 tracks on disc-1 is the entire Jhva Elohim Meth demo. The three tracks (removing intro and epilogue) are straight ahead melodic black metal. Not black metal in the “we all hate god” vein, but more in the vocal department. The music is clearly Katatonia only without the 'depressing' elements that critics would later label their sound. It's interesting to hear the band in a much rawer state. Two tracks from Dance Of December Souls are up next followed by two tracks which feature on a compilation called WAR. These are the best tracks on this first disc and contain that trademarked ‘depressing’ sound. For me this, especially the bass, sounds similar to 80s goth music such as The Cure or The Smiths only heavier and with black vocals. The following 4 tracks are the entire For Funerals To Come mini-CD. This is also a great addition for in it’s original format the mini-CD fans were paying lo less than 20 dollars for 4 songs one of which is a distorted one-minute closing track.
Disc 2 starts with two tracks (‘Murder’, ‘Rainroom’) from the Brave Murder Day release featuring guest vocalist Michael Åkerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath) whose influence is very evident. They are both great tracks, especially 'Murder' which is one of my favourite tracks on this compilation. The rest of disc-2 is the entire Sounds of Decay (4 tracks) and Saw You Drown (4 tracks) mini-CDs. The first of which is close how I have always
perceived the band to be about, with less depression than the hype would suggest. Think a slightly less 'rock' version of Sentenced and you're on the right track. Åkerfeldt also features on vocals again on these songs. The Saw You Drown mini-CD surprised me a little in that the entire thing has clean vocals which gives the band a LOT more of an emotional edge, IMHO.
It is here Katatonia proves my point. Personally I'm not fan of that gruff vocal style… well wait… no, I am, but I don't think it carries emotion well. I will be the first to sheepishly admit that I only really like Anathema after and including Alternative 4. That being said I just can't be saddened by vocals like this, maybe it's due to the fact that when I want depressing and melancholic music I’m more inclined to pick up on Katatonia’s goth influences such as The Cure and Sisters of Mercy.
There doesn't appear to be much progression on these two discs but after a few listens the shift from a standard black metal styled band into what they are today is very clear. It would have been interesting to have followed the band throughout their career and experience the journey with them. As such long-term fans without some of the rarer EPs or mini-CDs enjoy this release, and it will also serve as a convenient platform for curious onlookers.
Brave Yester Days
(Century Media)
Katatonia are one of those bands who have had adjectives like 'depressing', 'dark' and 'atmospheric' used to describe them. And while I would agree with the ‘atmospheric’ label, the ‘depressing’ I do not. On their latest 2-disc release Brave Yester Days, they have chosen to release, as the title suggests, songs from the earlier years in their career (92-98). As such I was a little unsure as to how to approach this review. Long time fans would already be familiar with these songs and most likely own them in one form or another, however people unfamiliar with Katatonia will not and thus I will review it from the novice’s point of view.
The first 5 tracks on disc-1 is the entire Jhva Elohim Meth demo. The three tracks (removing intro and epilogue) are straight ahead melodic black metal. Not black metal in the “we all hate god” vein, but more in the vocal department. The music is clearly Katatonia only without the 'depressing' elements that critics would later label their sound. It's interesting to hear the band in a much rawer state. Two tracks from Dance Of December Souls are up next followed by two tracks which feature on a compilation called WAR. These are the best tracks on this first disc and contain that trademarked ‘depressing’ sound. For me this, especially the bass, sounds similar to 80s goth music such as The Cure or The Smiths only heavier and with black vocals. The following 4 tracks are the entire For Funerals To Come mini-CD. This is also a great addition for in it’s original format the mini-CD fans were paying lo less than 20 dollars for 4 songs one of which is a distorted one-minute closing track.
Disc 2 starts with two tracks (‘Murder’, ‘Rainroom’) from the Brave Murder Day release featuring guest vocalist Michael Åkerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath) whose influence is very evident. They are both great tracks, especially 'Murder' which is one of my favourite tracks on this compilation. The rest of disc-2 is the entire Sounds of Decay (4 tracks) and Saw You Drown (4 tracks) mini-CDs. The first of which is close how I have always
perceived the band to be about, with less depression than the hype would suggest. Think a slightly less 'rock' version of Sentenced and you're on the right track. Åkerfeldt also features on vocals again on these songs. The Saw You Drown mini-CD surprised me a little in that the entire thing has clean vocals which gives the band a LOT more of an emotional edge, IMHO.
It is here Katatonia proves my point. Personally I'm not fan of that gruff vocal style… well wait… no, I am, but I don't think it carries emotion well. I will be the first to sheepishly admit that I only really like Anathema after and including Alternative 4. That being said I just can't be saddened by vocals like this, maybe it's due to the fact that when I want depressing and melancholic music I’m more inclined to pick up on Katatonia’s goth influences such as The Cure and Sisters of Mercy.
There doesn't appear to be much progression on these two discs but after a few listens the shift from a standard black metal styled band into what they are today is very clear. It would have been interesting to have followed the band throughout their career and experience the journey with them. As such long-term fans without some of the rarer EPs or mini-CDs enjoy this release, and it will also serve as a convenient platform for curious onlookers.