Artist: Katatonia
Label: Peaceville Records
Release Date: 4/4/06
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Title: The Great Cold Distance Artist: Katatonia Label: Peaceville Records Release Date: 4/4/06 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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5 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
I really like Katatonia. They are one of the few bands that have gone almost completely melodic and have maintained or even enhanced my opinion of them. There's something about their oppressive riffing and melancholy vocals that really gets to me, allowing me to appreciate the beautiful things in the world. The Great Cold Distance does just that for me, much as Viva Emptiness and Last Fair Deal Gone Down did before it. And it's obvious from the get go that fans of those albums will find much to like here. And when you realize this, you will understand my biggest problem with this album. The fact is that Katatonia can satisfy me, but not surprise me.
"One word review: Awesome." We've had three solid albums in a row, but they've all pretty much maintained the same sound, and I just wonder... Do we really need another? I mean, I really like this record, it's not like it's a similar album of a lesser quality, or that I think the band is just coasting... I think their songwriting and sound is just as sharp now as it's ever been. But that doesn't change the fact that we have three very similar albums in which any song can be changed with any other song on any other album and not upset the flow whatsoever.
Because of this, I find that I can't really listen to the whole album in one sitting. I get excited, listen to two or three songs, and then I'm in the mood for something else... something different. It is a testament to the depth of this album that I can listen to just about any of the songs on it when I do this, but the end result is the same, this band's sound has become so very one-dimensional to me.
Despite this, Katatonia remain a favorite of mine, and I've already logged enough time with this record to justify the expense of it, so I really shouldn't complain. End result is I'm still a huge fan, just in short bursts of one to three songs at a time. One word review: Awesome.
Death's Review:
Katatonia are one of the great underrated bands of the last decade. Everything they have done has been of the highest quality. Their seventh album is simply great - deep, somber and heavy. As expected, Katatonia are once again on top of their game. This band should be huge, and The Great Cold Distance could, if promoted correctly, do the trick. But we need some real promotion here people, meaning video, tour, etc. Did I mention I think this band should be huge? Opeth "made it" in the U.S., so should Katatonia. This is some of the best artistic, heavy rock out there, and music as good as this doesn't come along every day. Definitely first class material, and definitely worthy of your attention. Make every effort.
"Katatonia are once again on top of their game."
Hel's Review:
I had the worst time getting through this record. Part of it was mental - Viva Emptiness was my hands down album of the year when it came out and has found a permanent home at number 4 in my car cd changer; I still listen to it all the time - but most of it was because I found myself tuning out the entire disc in my attempts to ignore the annoying voice repeatedly telling me what track I was listening to at the most inappropriate times. With each track, just as I was reaching that wonderful point of being one with the record I would be harshly jolted from my zen state by this pirating-prevention tactic. I hate this practice most of all the forms used on promos to prevent the music from being released on the internet before the street date. Why can't I live in the world where everyone who gets a promo should actually be qualified to do so and be upstanding enough to represent their profession in a befitting manner? I recently saw an e-zine editor include a blurb on their submission page where they flatly refuse to review anything with copy protection that interferes with the music in any way. A tempting stance at times, but certainly no solution...
"Undeniably, this is an instant Katatonia classic." At any rate, if there were ever a band deserving of a fair shake despite any obstacles, it would be my beloved Katatonia. So I persisted, day after day, to try and get around then obstruction placed in my path, and find a way to get the music into my head, something that happened so effortlessly in the past. The thing that really clicked for me with the last record was a combination of the lyrics and emotive vocals. I know some people questioned the crudity of the language, and maybe I was just in a really angry place at the time, but I thought the expletives were appropriate. This time around, my recurring complaint has prevented me from absorbing the lyrics fully, so I couldn’t tell you if he swears as much or not, though at this point I have the impression he does not.
Essentially, The Great Cold Distance is the same level of quality as its predecessor. The production is brilliant, and the musicianship is awe-inspiring. The riffs are crushing, but so are the quiet parts, in their own all-encompassing way. The performances are sterling. Despite my difficulties with the voice-over, I always come back to the idea that this album is fantastic. Undeniably, this is an instant Katatonia classic. There is only one solution to my problem: I will be going to the store and buying a copy. I shouldn’t have to, but the album deserves to be heard the way the band intended and I am fan enough to be willing to suck it up and buy an unblemished version. I think you should buy it too. Want to go together? ;)
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