Katatonia - Last Fair Deal Gone Down



1.Dispossession (5:36) 2.Chrome (5:14) 3.We Must Bury You (2:50) 4.Teargas (3:23) 5.I Transpire (5:56) 6.Tonight's Music (4:20) 7.Clean Today (4:23) 8.The Future Of Speech (5:40) 9.Passing Bird (3:35) 10.Sweet Nurse (3:57) 11.Don´t Tell A Soul (5:42)

Total Running Time: 50:46



It's highly probable that very few of you have actually got a clue as to what Katatonia sounds like, while the ones that do are probably wondering if the band could really be considered part of the progressive catalogue. And while there will surely be some disagreement and bickering, I feel that Katatonia has arrived at a bizarre progressive metal state; a result of a constant evolution through its last releases that has allowed the band to reach a point of impressive maturity in its sound and songwriting approach. In more ways than one, comparing the band to most metal outfits currently out there would be rather impertinent.

Some time ago, Katatonia would have been described as a black metal band, but the tag has long since vanished and can only be faintly perceived in the band's roots, as that savage approach has been forsaken in favor of a majestically melancholic and melodious sound that revolves around deep and heartfelt compositions. A likely point of reference, for those that remain clueless about the band's sound, would be bands like Anathema, My Dying Bride, Amorphis, and Opeth, or Tool and A Perfect Circle in a more mainstream aspect. The comparison only does Katatonia justice in an incomplete manner, however, as the band has created a style completely its own by also absorbing influences from great musicians like Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley.

And being a journey through the band's excellent uniqueness, Last Fair Deal Gone Down is a masterpiece waiting to be found. The album's lyrics are insights into the inherent darkness of the soul, conveyed though well thought-out, sometimes deeply metaphorical, concepts. The music, meanwhile, is mainly characterized by melancholically depressive riffs and rhythms that together create a crushing wall of sound; the pillar for some of the most powerful vocal melodies you'll ever hear. This derives largely from an approach that consists of layers upon layers of life-giving arrangements, which upon close inspection reveals that the members of Katatonia poured every drop of emotion they had into this record. If there's an album to buy for people with a love of music in a broad perspective, it's this one.

-by Javier Elizondo

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