Katatonia – Dead End Kings

Releasedate: 27-08-2012; Label: Peaceville
By: Sabine van Gameren

Swedish Doom formation Katatonia returns with a new album. The band has quite a history and a long list of releases on their name. “Dead End Kings” is out now, it is the band’s ninth full length studio album.

The Swedish kings of Doom have chosen a suitable name for their release. As you may expect the band kicks in on this emotional side that they are strongest in. Jonas Renske is strong, his voice brings a couple of surprises in this release which may surprise you. Quite interesting that after so many years and releases someone still knows to surprise. In 2009 the both Normanns left the band and some replacement was found in Per Eriksson and Niklas Sandin. The way they put their stamp on the music may not be too obvious, but you can hear some identity of these individuals here and there. The release self is one that touches you from the start but really grows on you when you listen to it more. The band has created some intense songs that has a bit more fire in there than you heard on the last releases but it does not step away too much from that concept.
Katatonia has proven themselves already, this new album is simply giving you a bit more material, a slightly difference to keep progression and diversity in their sound. Simply stunning to listen, but don’t stop after one time listening!

Line Up:
Jonas Renkse – lead vocals
Anders “Blakkheim” Nyström – guitars,
Daniel Liljekvist – drums, percussion
Per “Sodomizer” Eriksson – lead and rhythm guitars
Niklas “Nille” Sandin – bass

Tracklist: 01. The Parting 02. Hypone 03. Undo You 04. The Racing Heart 05. Buildings 06. Leech 07. The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here (with Silje Wergeland) 08. First Prayer 09. Ambitions 10. Lethean 11. Dead Letters

Links:
Katatonia Official