DEAD END KINGS

The transformative power of Katatonia has been in play on several occasions throughout the band's long-lasting career, and perhaps the biggest testament to their longevity is the fact that every new "reincarnation" brings a feeling of rejuvenated power and a clear vision of the journey's final destination - moving on from their death-doom early days, the band utilized more alternative sounds during the 2000s, as heard on classic albums like 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' and 'The Great Cold Distance', ultimately reshaping their sound to include more complex vocal harmonies and a somewhat progressive writing approach, also gradually including electronic sounds to the mix, giving their work a more accessible edge. And their 2012 release titled 'Dead End Kings' probably stands right between the doomy alt-rock phase's gradual abandonment and the rise of their more nuanced "prog" period, carrying a lot of the elements that had previously made their more recognizable works so beloved and so profoundly moving.

So anyone familiar with this Swedish metal act would know what to expect, with the music being quite far from happy and uplifting. The dark, almost gothic undertones of seminal Katatonia albums are also present here, while the listener might appreciate the ostensible sophistication of their compositions as well as the variety of moods and styles tackled on this ninth studio album. The vocal work of band leader Jonas Renkse is excellent all throughout, the guitar tone on the album is powerful and warm, and the drumming is fabulous from start to finish - just hear excellent tracks like 'Hypnone', 'The Racing Heart', 'Buildings', 'Leech' or the gloomy 'Lethean', all beautiful, haunting, and emotional pieces that definitely carry all the elements of top-quality Katatonia music. The band has always been inventive and consistent, and 'Dead End Kings' is just a splendid example of how good Renkse & co. are at producing albums full of top-notch material.

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