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"Between melancholy, pop and heavier atmospheres, Katatonia signs a brilliant record which sees it evolve while keeping intact its poetic force."
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4/5
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The "Dead End Kings" era will have been very rich for Katatonia. The Swedish band will have released a refined version of it and then proposed an acoustic live which closed this period in a very elegant way. The band come back for a tenth album, "The Fall of Hearts" with a modified line-up, Per Eriksson is replaced by Roger Öjersson while after 15 years of presence Daniel Liljekvist leave his place on drums to Daniel Mollanen. With "Dead End Kings", Katatonia went to the end of an atmospheric and melancholic pop approach and it was clear that he was going to have to move on.
This opus sees him offering a subtle mix between his melancholic and atmospheric face and the heavier one that comes back to the forefront with tracks that are longer allowing the ambiences to develop. From the start, 'Takeover' shows Katatonia's will to vary the pleasures. This track is worthy of the best of an Opeth, alternating heavy and melodic passages, atmospheres and progressive solos. Finally the melancholy of Jonas' vocals, always so pure and intense, is perfect.
The rest of the record is just as exciting and varied. The heavy tendency of Katatonia is felt in the very good 'Sanction', 'Serein' and 'Passer' on which the newcomer shines behind his drums, giving us an excellent moment of melancholic and atmospheric metal. Of course, the pop tinted tracks are there, and in this register Katatonia remains at the top. So 'Old Heart Fails', 'Decima' and 'Last Before The Fade' are nuggets, the piano work is remarkable and adds emotion to these beautiful ethereal atmospheres. The strong refrains and more progressive passages in the spirit of the 70's bring an extra soul to these songs. Finally the heart of the album is beautiful. With 'Residual' and 'Serai', Katatonia offers two long convoluted complementary pieces. The first one, softer and more contained, ventures into progressive and very rich atmospheric terrain. The second one, more metallic, makes us travel between heavy and melancholic pop with a very strong melodic richness.
With "The Fall Of Hearts", Katatonia renews itself without radically changing its dark and melancholic image. The band confirms that in terms of atmospheric heavy metal, he remains an absolute master able to surprise us again and again despite a long career. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Takeover
02. Serein
03. Old Heart Falls
04. Decima
05. Sanction
06. Residual
07. Serac
08. Last Song Before The Fade
09. Shifts
10. The Night Subscriber
11. Pale Flag
12. Passer
13. Vakaren (CD/DVD & Deluxe Edition)
14. Sistere (LP & Deluxe Edition)
15. Wide Awake In Quietus (Digital & Deluxe Edition)
LINEUP:
Anders Nyström: Guitares / Claviers
Daniel ’mojjo’ Moilanen: Batterie
Jonas Renkse: Chant
Niklas Sandin: Basse
Roger Öjersson: Guitares
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4.8/5 (4 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.7/5 (3 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH KATATONIA
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