Review by criscool623 on March 20, 2021.

Owing that I've been immersing myself into doom-black metal style (thanks to that Krigsgrav album I reviewed no long ago), I decided to revisit the album that started everything: the first Katatonia full-length release.

I'm conscious of the popularity that Katatonia has nowadays, as they have a pretty solid fanbase that follows their career and listens actively to their music. However, and due to the change of style they made from their 3rd album, I'm not interested in that facet of the band. As well, I won't be one of those guys that tell things like "This is the best Katatonia album and everything they made after is bullshit" as I don't have bases to claim this; my only aim is to visit the origins of one of the most peculiar subgenres of metal and see what make this album special and important in this style: the so-called "depressive black metal" (also, I'll base in the 2004 version; despite the band is against this version, we must admit this: the album cover is great).

Since the first listening, I was pleased, as there are so many elements that make this album special and unique.

One of the first notorious elements in this release is the agonic and howling voice of Lord J. Renkse, which is chilling, but gripping at the same time. For some reason, this album is catalogued as a death/doom metal release, which I find strange, as I can't find even a bit of the characteristic growls of death metal; instead, the voice goes toward a more shriek and harsh approach that gives that feeling of desperation, agony and emotional bitterness that characterise a depressive metal band. I heard a rumour that the use of this particular vocal style was the main reason why the band changed their style later, as the singer damaged his voice when singing like this, and if this is true, it's a shame, but his voice remains as one of the first vocal works using this particular singing style, so painful and piercing.

The riffs are really heavy but are added with much melodic stuff that makes the experience more pleasant. In essence, this is a doom metal release; the style reminds me of a band like Candlemass or Agalloch (with those heavy, slow and catching riffs), but with a lot of melodic elements that give another totally different atmosphere to the band and the music; much more heavy, pessimistic, dark and distressing (aspect that is reinforced with the agonic vocal style). The use of arpeggios, minor-scale guitar melodies (sometimes harmonised) and subtle keyboards in selected sections of the album are what makes this album so rich in melodies and gives that sense of sorrow and pain that immerse the listener into a really dismal atmosphere. I may be ignorant on this topic, but I dare to say this is one of the first bands in metal that portrayed such a pessimistic and dark atmosphere, and this is what gives merit to Katatonia.

As to the instrumentation, I can't do other things but eulogise the drums execution, which is outstanding. In addition to his voice, Renkse makes a solid performance on the drums, adding his own personality with several fills that make the music not feel repetitive at all; on the contrary, this aspect strengthens, even more, the intensity of the music. Also, the bass guitar performance is excellent; although the main instrument here is the guitar, and even with its sharper sound than usual in this kind of genre, the bass guitar successes in giving more body and background to the general sound of the album. It's a delight having such talented musicians performing this majestic music.

The lyrics are very poetic and suit perfectly with the music presented. I'm not the kind of person who pays attention to the lyrics as I'm more interested in the musical proposal, yet the lyrics are very appropriate to such the dismal sound that the band portrays: references to death, desperation, suicide and mourning can be found in the album, and the fact that they are performed with such a painful voice like this one makes them perfect and gives a real sensation of despair and abandonment.

Yes, you're right. Maybe I'm sounding quite repetitive and redundant in telling how "sad" and "dark" the album sounds, but that's the actual mood that the album transits to the listener, and this is what makes Dance of December Souls an important release since this is one of the first releases in which such feelings could be depicted in metal and even with that, the music feels strong, convincing, but very honest and full of feeling. This album is a precursor of what would be called "depressive black metal" in a future due to the beauty of the melodies, the feelings they convey and that characteristic voice that evokes this feeling of desolation and frailness, and this is what makes it a classic.

The only negative aspects I could mention are some riffs that does not feel totally depressive and sound more to something that bands like Candlemass or Pentagram would play, making the mood of the album feel interrupted; specifically, I found this kind of riffs in the last two (real) tracks of the album ('Velvet Thorns' and 'Tomb of Insomnia'); when you hear these tracks, you'll note what riffs I'm talking about. Also, the album finished quite abruptly, and for such a grand album like this, a more subtle ending would have been better to give a more worthy conclusion. My personal favourite tracks are 'In Silence Enshrined' and the outro 'Dancing December'; the first one for its beautiful keyboard-harmonised section and the latter one because it has a really depressing tone; two minutes were enough to make me feel really miserable, and that's something I wanted to highlight.

In conclusion, Dance of December Souls is a masterpiece. It's one of the definitive precursors in depressive metal and a release that deserves a place amid the best doom metal album of all. I found some improvable aspects, but they don't demerit the work done by the band at all. As I said, I have zero interest in Katatonia's more modern music; I prefer having them like the creators of doom/black metal instead of disappointing me because of the way they took later. Long live Katatonia and thanks for such this beautiful musical oeuvre.

Rating: 9.9 out of 10