Artist: Katatonia
Title: Dethroned & Uncrowned
Genre: Electronic / Acoustic
Release Date: 13th September 2013
Label: Kscope Records
Album Review
Taking an entire album and putting its track's internals for all the world to see can be a risky undertaking and in a worst case scenario mean the tracks loose more than they gain from stripping them bare. KATATONIA however took the chance of doing it with their most recent achievement 'Dead End Kings'. Entitled 'Dethroned & Uncrowned', the album is meant to show the fragility that has otherwise been buried under layers of noise and guitar and drums. The result is unexpected as expected. Already 'The Parting' sets a different tone than the original, becoming an elegy of sorts, lacks the force it came through with in the past but gains deep intimacy through the use of acoustic instrumentation. The already calm second track is going even slower with a texture of drama added by the bright string arrangements around the chorus. The lasting darkness within
'Hypnone' is being emphasized, devoid of anything but a crystal clear acoustic part and Jonas's vocals being put up-close and delivering more immediacy than ever-If that didn't do it for you, which would be surprising to be honest, 'Buildings' is going to be THE track. A stellar re-imaging set underwater where weightless chords of piano and guitar drift throughout the liquid to open a whole new view. 'Lethean' and 'First Prayer' represent a rather rhythmic fraction of the album with even basic drum tracks included while most of their gripping movement is started with the dexterity the acoustic guitar is played with. The prog-laden 'Dead Letters' essentials are getting exposed, revealing that it is even proggy on the most basic, acoustic level and coupled with the electronic even more intense. An experiment succeeded. Even if you own the original album, you should grab a copy of this one as it offers a different perspective on all things 'Dead End Kings'
Tracklist
01. The Parting - 4:52
02. The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here - 3:52
03. Hypnone - 4:07
04. The Racing Heart - 4:06
05. Buildings - 3:28
06. Leech - 4:23
07. Ambitions - 5:09
08. Undo You - 4:56
09. Lethean - 4:39
10. First Prayer - 4:26
11. Dead Letters - 4:27
Line-up
Jonas Renkse
Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström
Daniel Liljekvist
Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson
Niklas "Nille" Sandin
Website
http://www.katatonia.com
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10
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