Review by JD on September 19, 2010.

The swedes have it right metal speaking. They continue to have artists that push the boundaries of extreme and regular metal while still are aggressively heavy and artistically sound as well. That is why I love almost everything I have heard coming from Sweden over the years... with that, may I introduce Katatonia.

These guys have been around for a long while (The two main members are also part of Bloodbath - another fave of mine) yet in most parts of the world they are unknown. I plan to change that, and in a big way. With a sound that combines Doom, progressiveness, heaviness and songwriting that few can match, or even come close to Katatonia is like a combination of the stark beauty of My Dying Bride, musicianship of Opeth, Candlemass meeting Queensryche with Pink Floyd.

They create such an startling atmosphere that is dynamic, a sound that blows prog champions Opeth away. Combining dank melancholy, sadistic depictions of depression, mood swings and a guitar sound that is straight from the dark depths. They capture you and forcefully take you to a world of bleakness, perverse desires and pain. The world they show you is past saturnine in its power... it is a world that hell might be a better place than this.

Just listen to the track ‘The Promise Of Deceit’ and their world engulfs you, and your soul is wrapped in blackness and all hope seems to be destroyed. Katatonia is a band that has that ability to transport you into a far different world, if you are not afraid of the darkness that it has. Darkness can be great.... (Evil Laughter).

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9.5
Originality: 9
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.2 out of 10