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KATATONIA The Great Cold Distance Peaceville (2006)
When Katatonia released "Tonight's Decision" back in 1999, a well-known UK music journalist expressed his appreciation towards the band's music by claiming that the year would not have been the same hadn't this album seen the light of day. That is indeed the sort of compliment that many bands would welcome with great satisfaction, but one that only a few of them really deserve. Was that a lucky one off thing for the Swedish outfit, one might ask? Well, the band's very successful career has certainly set the records straight, but if you still claim not to be convinced, then you definitely need to listen to the material that Jonas Renske (vocals) and Co have prepared for their seventh studio album "The Great Cold Distance".
I am being extremely honest by saying that I never owned a Katatonia record before in my life, and that my only contact with the band's music was through a concert that they performed at the Glasgow Cathouse, while promoting their album "Viva Emptiness". Even under the unfriendliest of environments, I remember being quite impressed by the band's music, to the point that I convinced myself that the release of "The Great Cold Distance" would be one really worth waiting for...and by God I was right!
My addiction to "The Great Cold Distance" was instant and decisive, and even though I am forced to use these words in order to justify my review, the emotions and feelings that this album brought to the surface are so strong and colourful, that even the most talented of poets or philosophers will find hard to describe.
Creating a dark/melancholic album seems to be the "cool thing" to do nowadays, but whereas most bands are only capable of creating music that reduces teenage girls to tears, Katatonia came up with this powerful yet quite dark and melodic masterpiece, that proves their unquestionable musical superiority!
Through a constant manipulation of rhythm and melody, and with Jonas Renske's unique voice bringing you from the absolute depths of sorrow to the highest levels of inner catharsis, you need no convincing that the fifty two minutes of the albums total duration are bound to be repeated many times in the future.
The only way to really appreciate "The Great Cold Distance" is by treating it as one big musical piece, and I do admit that I felt quite a few times that there was some sort of bond that connects one composition to the other. Still, if you belong to the category of people who believe that this album is not for them, I dare you to listen to either the quite rhythmical tunes of "My Twin", or the amazingly melodic theme of "July" - both of which are more than capable of changing your mind for good.
With bands like Paradise Lost incapable of producing something really mind-blowing the last few years, the crown of dark/melancholic metal was an easy prey for Katatonia, and guess what - they really managed to make is shine again! It is funny how half way through December, I manage to hold in my hands what will easily become one of the best releases for 2006!
*****
Review by John Stefanis
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