Katatonia
The Fall of Hearts
Peaceville Records
2016
“The Fall of Hearts” is the new studio album by the “kings” of melancholy and even though some things have remained the same, others have changed for the better. Surely Katatonia have stayed true to the style they created with “Last Fair Deal Gone Down” (an amazing album and probably my favorite Katatonia one).
Were I to point out a specific thing about the new album I’d say that it has a more progressive side than the band’s previous works. This is obvious due to the album’s long running time which lasts around 67 minutes (the longest Katatonia album till now – without the 3 bonus tracks). Certainly Katatonia haven’t lost their “touch” neither their melodic yet melancholic, atmospheric & alternative side at all – on the contrary now it’s more evident than in the few previous works. And all those that complain that this is “one of the same”, “derivative” etc. they should be aware that a band evolves gradually without changing its style overnight cuz that will surely cause major problems. Those who complain now would be even whiner if there was a massive style change.
The new album features new drummer Daniel ‘Mojjo’ Moilanen and new guitarist Roger Ojersson (Tiamat). It was recorded at Stockholm’s Studio Grondahl & Tri-lamb Studio, and was self-produced by Anders Nystrom & Jonas Renkse. The mixing and mastering duties were carried out by renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Ihsahn, Devin Townsend) at Fascination Street Studios, with Karl Daniel Liden (Switchblade, The Ocean, Greenleaf) brought in as an engineer. The production is crystal clear & full
“The Fall of Hearts” is the next logical and creative step for Katatonia. It’s gloomy, atmospheric & melancholic but that’s nothing new when it comes to Katatonia. It would probably make you feel a bit moody at places but this is what “must” happen when you listen to a band called “katatonia” – isn’t it so?! If you’re happy in your life, then “The Fall of Hearts” will make you somewhat broodier… then again if you’re depressed or anything like that, think twice before you listen to this album on the whole. Apart from that, “The Fall of Hearts” is a well-crafted melancholic album that will please the longtime fans of the band and even the new ones by hook or by crook.
Were I to point out a specific thing about the new album I’d say that it has a more progressive side than the band’s previous works. This is obvious due to the album’s long running time which lasts around 67 minutes (the longest Katatonia album till now – without the 3 bonus tracks). Certainly Katatonia haven’t lost their “touch” neither their melodic yet melancholic, atmospheric & alternative side at all – on the contrary now it’s more evident than in the few previous works. And all those that complain that this is “one of the same”, “derivative” etc. they should be aware that a band evolves gradually without changing its style overnight cuz that will surely cause major problems. Those who complain now would be even whiner if there was a massive style change.
The new album features new drummer Daniel ‘Mojjo’ Moilanen and new guitarist Roger Ojersson (Tiamat). It was recorded at Stockholm’s Studio Grondahl & Tri-lamb Studio, and was self-produced by Anders Nystrom & Jonas Renkse. The mixing and mastering duties were carried out by renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Ihsahn, Devin Townsend) at Fascination Street Studios, with Karl Daniel Liden (Switchblade, The Ocean, Greenleaf) brought in as an engineer. The production is crystal clear & full
“The Fall of Hearts” is the next logical and creative step for Katatonia. It’s gloomy, atmospheric & melancholic but that’s nothing new when it comes to Katatonia. It would probably make you feel a bit moody at places but this is what “must” happen when you listen to a band called “katatonia” – isn’t it so?! If you’re happy in your life, then “The Fall of Hearts” will make you somewhat broodier… then again if you’re depressed or anything like that, think twice before you listen to this album on the whole. Apart from that, “The Fall of Hearts” is a well-crafted melancholic album that will please the longtime fans of the band and even the new ones by hook or by crook.