Album Review: Katatonia - City Burials
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
When the Swedes retreated into hiatus in 2017, it was a moment of sorrow. One of the most progressive bands around, their evolution from black metal doom in the early 1990s to engrossing melancholic crafted music seemed organic rather than forced. The band found their direction and followed it, allowing the natural progression to guide their development. 2019 saw the band regroup for a few anniversary gigs and now we have the 11th album to enjoy. Alongside founder members Jonas Renkse (vocals) and guitarist Anders Nyström, bassist Niklas Sandin now enters his second decade with the band whilst drummer Daniel Moilanen returns for his second album after 2016’s ‘The Fall of Hearts’. There is new impetus is provided by guitarist Roger Öjersson, whilst keys are provided by Anders Eriksson who majestically reprises his role from ‘Night is the New Day’ and ‘Dead End Kings’.
‘City Burials’ opens with Renkse’s distinctive haunting vocal, gentle guitar and keyboard melodies shimmer before the drums kick in and ‘Hearts Set to Divide’ begins the journey. Dynamic patterns, flexible tempos and the expansion of the band’s distinctive progressive groove all combine with a clarity that is welcomed like an old friend. What is also apparent is that the sharper exuberant edge of the band has returned; Katatonia sound energised and invigorated. There are several metal riffs spread throughout the album, such as ‘Behind the Blood’, and whilst the band are not returning to their early sound, there is a backbone and steel which many of their fanbase will have longed for.
‘Lacquer’ has been circulating for some time and fans will be familiar with it; the sensitive delivery of Renkse providing a contemplative reflection on loss and pain, which threads through this album in a theme. ‘Lacquer’ is gentle, elegiac and superbly crafted. It’s a track that allows Renske to take centre stage, the textured musical context supporting his harrowing delivery. ‘Vanishers’, possibly the most delicate and fragile of tracks on the album sees Renkse blend his singing with the guest vocals of Anni Bernhard, of Stockholm art rockers Full Of Keys. It works wonderfully, with joyous harmonies mixing with a subtle and graceful backdrop. ‘City Glaciers’ follows, a free-flowing soundscape which captures the emotions and sweeps them up in one magnificent evocative gesture. This continues through to the final song, ‘Untrodden’, which provides a final listen to the sensitive and finely-honed instrumentation.
Katatonia have crafted a work of majestic qualities. Renkse and Nyström enduring artistic bond is displayed throughout an absorbing 58 minutes of meticulously crafted melodies and inspired, idiosyncratic arrangements. Immersive, subtle, complex and captivating, the Swedes return is a fillip in days of darkness and pain.
‘City Burials’ is released on Peaceville Records on 24th April.
