Katatonia-"Night Is The New Day"

Everyone who's ever talked to me-be it in a forum, in person, or otherwise-knows that I'm a faggishly huge Katatonia fanboy. However, I will review this album in a fair and non-biased way (or, at least try to).

Coming off of the foundation laid by 'Viva Emptiness' and improved upon with 'The Great Cold Distance', this album brings about the most intense, heavy metallic-rock this Gloom Squad has ever delivered. Yet again, the two best bands to compare to are Tool and The Cure. Throw in some of the shit in this link, and you get the idea.

Things start off with an almost-by-the-book metalcore riff, actually. Don't let this turn you off. It's very tasteful and has a very Katatonic flare. Things are much more toned down and 'shoegazey' throughout the album. Songs like 'Day And Then The Shade' bring an upbeat factor in to break up the slow moving, gloomy tracks. It's rare, as overall, this album crawls and creeps like a big sad Godzilla. Darker, thicker, more textured...this is not a typical Katatonia album. Yet still, it's very much a Katatonia album and a very clear progression from the last two.

There are a couple faults, though. Two, to be exact.

1. The song 'Idle Blood'. It's a fantastic song. Very beautiful, very deep, very sad. But it sounds EXACTLY like something off of Opeth's Damnation. Not terrible if done right, but this is too similar for some fans. While I find it to be just fine, I've already heard from many that this is a problem.

2. The lyrics are a little dull, repetitive, and unenlightened. They are basically a reworded version of 'The Great Cold Distance'. Some new thoughts would serve this album well.

Other than that, this album is definitely worthy of the title "Album of the Year". I could go on for hours explaining/describing, but you simply must hear it to believe it. Go buy it, and get your sad on, everyone.