Katatonia – Sky Void Of Stars
Katatonia – Sky Void Of Stars
Napalm Records
Release Date: 20/01/23
Running Time: 50:34
Review by Laura Barnes
9/10
Katatonia are a fascinating band. They are perhaps one of the few bands within Metal that have successfully transitioned their sound into a softer, more accessible style without alienating their original fanbase. This would seem like a nigh impossible feat, but after a single listen of their latest album, “Sky Void Of Stars” it becomes clear how Katatonia have amassed such a dedicated and loyal fanbase. Modern day Katatonia has a softer sound, certainly, but do not mistake softer for simplistic. Katatonia’s music is just as complex and fun as it was back in 1996.
“A Sky Void Of Stars” explodes into life with chugging guitars and moody vocals courtesy of frontman Jonas Renske. ‘Austerity’ is our thunderous welcome into Katatonia’s new album, and the track reminds us of what they do best: choruses. The chorus on this song is phenomenal: anthemic, dark, and glittery. The track also features a guitar solo with a nice classic Metal touch. Already, it is clear that “Sky Void Of Stars” sees Katatonia at the top of their game. They start as they mean to go on: absolutely killing it.
Soon after ‘Austerity’, there is ‘Birds’, a song many long-term Katatonia fans will find particularly striking. ‘Birds’ sounds like it could have been taken straight from “The Great Cold Distance”. It is perhaps the liveliest track from the album and has a beautiful, soaring riff that gives me a warm sense of nostalgia. Following this, Katatonia hit the breaks in order to tell a tale of dark romance on ‘Drab Moon’. Steeped in atmosphere, this track is full of unexpected twists and turns. It truly is a mark of great song writing for a band to be able to divert quite significantly from traditional formulas without things feeling unnatural or forced – ‘Drab Moons’ creative use of autotune on this track would normally stick out like a sore thumb on the hands of a lesser band, but in Katatonia’s capable hands this technique is subtlety and successfully integrated, enhancing an already powerful track.
Normally, the middle of the album is where my attention begins to dwindle (you COULD argue that this is because of, like, these darn kids and their darn phones and their darn lack of attention spans, but really, I think it has more to do with that fact that it’s much easier to hide the filler in middle), but “Sky Void Of Stars” manages to keep the momentum going. ‘Impermanence’ has some fantastic vocals and melodies reminiscent of System of a Down, and although ‘Sclera’ does seem to meander a little more than I would have liked, I did get a kick out of the lyrics – ‘You fit spikes around my mind’ is a metaphor that I really wish that I had written (and also makes me imagine Pinhead / The Priest from Hellraiser headbanging along to this song, which should arguably be the goal of every metal song). ‘Atrium’ sets things firmly back – it has the same fist-pumping, throat-destroying energy as ‘Birds’, and will no doubt be a future favourite at live shows.
Another quick note about this album: it’s consistent. Not just in terms of quality, but also in mood and tone. As suggested by the title, “Sky Void Of Stars” is packed with celestial imagery. There’s also a bittersweet element of nostalgia running through this album: whether it be ‘city lights from 1998’ or memories of hotel rooms in Marriot, New York, there is a persistent theme of the past haunting the present. I’ve said it a million times before, but I really do love albums like this, albums that were clearly written in a specific headspace, or a specific time in a band’s life. It’s the kind of album that, if I listened to it twenty years in the future, would instantly transport me back to this period of my life.
I can say with confidence that Katatonia are one of the most influential bands out there, both for me on a personal level and within the wider Metal scene. “Sky Void Of Stars” is a phenomenal contribution to their already enduring legacy.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Austerity
02. Colossal Shade
03. Opaline
04. Birds
05. Drab Moon
06. Author
07. Impermanence
08. Sclera
09. Atrium
10. No Beacon To Illuminate
11. Absconder
LINE-UP:
Jonas Renske – Vocals
Anders Nyström – Guitars
Roger Öjersson – Guitars
Niklas Sandin – Bass
Daniel Moilanen – Drums
LINKS:
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