Artist: Katatonia
Label: Peaceville Records
Release Date: 5/8/01
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Title: Last Fair Deal Gone Down Artist: Katatonia Label: Peaceville Records Release Date: 5/8/01 |
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Abyss's Review:
I’ve always thought that Katatonia is the perfect band to keep you going in between Opeth releases. Of course, the problem is that I never get sick of listening to any of those older Opeth releases. So I guess I have to start liking Katatonia based on their own merits.
"An epic adventure, complete with profound ambition and excellent craftsmanship." Katatonia’s new disc, Last Fair Deal Gone Down is an epic adventure, complete with profound ambition and excellent craftsmanship. And while it doesn’t stand out song by song, it is a different experience altogether if you just submit and let the music encompass you. While this band doesn’t have the hard edge that Opeth does, and doesn’t have the same attention to melody that new Amorphis does, it seems to split the two sounds into something all their own. And I must admit, the first few spins with this one, I was continuously anticipating the break into aggression that Opeth and My Dying Bride utilize so well. But as I allowed myself to accept this effort as the band envisioned it, rather than what I wanted personally (which I have a bad habit of doing, I’m afraid), I found myself on a tantric journey (meaning the meditative rather than sexual aspect, I didn’t jack off to the thing… and even if I did there’s no way any of you could prove it) that was, at the same moment, beautiful and disturbing.
The lead guitars moan over the low end, giving almost a gothic feel, but the music is far too atmospheric. Where goth emotes sorrow, this sound lets no clear-cut emotion through. It could be sadness, apathy, even woe, and that’s what makes the album so disturbing, its emotion isn’t blatant. It lets you use your own imagination, which is always far scarier. This album brings me into my own little world, and I find that to be about the most impressive thing a band can do.
"This album brings me into my own little world, and I find that to be about the most impressive thing a band can do." If you like Opeth, or even some of the mellower parts of Edge of Sanity, this album will give you great enjoyment, that is, if you can get past the lack of aggression; the emotions on this are far deeper. One word review: Awesome.
Death's Review:
I am essentially new to Katatonia, although I saw them at last year’s Milwaukee Metalfest. Anyway, this is my first exposure to their recorded product, and I must say I’m mildly blown away. I expected to hear a first-rate piece of high art that I would respect and work hard to like but ultimately which would bore me. Instead, I get a deep and complex hard rock record which is different, interesting, powerful and interesting all at the same time. These guys are fucking brilliant.
"A deep and complex hard rock record which is different, interesting, powerful and interesting all at the same time. These guys are fucking brilliant." The closest reference points within our current scene are Opeth and the new Amorphis, While many bands have influences outside of the metal world, Katatonia has the right influences: Pink Floyd’s Animals, Led Zeppelin’s No Quarter. In fact, if you’ve ever heard Tool’s version of No Quarter, that’s a great frame of reference. I really dig Last Fair Deal Gone Down. Perhaps it is the David Gilmore-esque vocals, perhaps it is the fantastic production. Mostly it’s probably the killer songwriting and the fact that every track reeks of integrity. I think there might even be a wider audience for this stuff. If Katatonia could get the support slot on the next Tool tour, for example, I think they’d sell some CDs.
So if you have a taste for the artful while true, and are cool with the absence of death metal growl, check out Last Fair Deal Gone Down. Sure to be a contender for top ten of 2001 lists at year’s end.
Hel's Review:
Favorite tracks: "We Must Bury You" & "Tonight's Music"
Other than a brief viewing of this band at last year's Milwaukee Metalfest, which I can hardly even recall at this point, I was essentially unfamiliar with this band going into this record. I knew to expect them to be dark, melodic, and atmospheric - and they are. This is definitely not a record for metalheads with a need for speed. However, if you are the kind of metalhead who really likes mellow, dark, melodic kind of music with clean vocals, Last Fair Deal Gone Down was tailor-made just for you!
"This is an accomplished, compelling record, and Katatonia is a band all metalheads should take the time to add to their continuing education." Katatonia is a package deal - in order to reap fullest enjoyment from this release, it is important to absorb the lyrics along with the music. While both the music and the vocal intonation convey the impression of darkness and bleakness, to truly understand the vibe the words require acknowledgement. Each song tells a story, and the singer proves to be an emotive and compelling storyteller. The musicians in the band are all understatedly brilliant, expertly employing harmony and dynamics to draw the listener farther in. For an all-consuming experience, try listening in the dark, with or without mind-altering substances.
While the mellow pace of the album firmly embeds it into a tiny corner of the metal scene, and it is the kind of record non-metalheads could enjoy, it contains the kind of sensibilities that only a metal band can exhibit. I've had fun listening to this record, and would wholehearted recommend it for anyone looking for a break from incessant riffing and screaming vocals - though I don't really understand why some find taking a break necessary… [Abyss - care to explain about Ace of Bass?] This is an accomplished, compelling record, and Katatonia is a band all metalheads should take the time to add to their continuing education.
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