KALLOCAIN

Kallocain is best recognized for being one of the earlier albums to which STEVEN WILSON contributed his editing, engineering, and production talents--which shows as the album does have a very enticing production sound, full of incidentals and treated instruments. New guitarist Peter NYLANDER admirably replaces Timeloss' Reine FISKE and the band also adds a full-time keyboard specialist in Johan WALLEN. And, despite two A-rated songs ("Holding On" [4:57] [9/10] and "Won't Be Coming Back" [5:33] [10/10]) and Petronella's gorgeous etheric vocals, the album plays out rather flat and monotonous. On a personal note, I am a bit surprised and disappointed that drummer extraordinaire Ricard "Huxflux" NETTERMALM so rarely 'lets go' on Kallocain. He has the ability to be a show stopper yet here seems to choose (amazing) restraint with lots of masterful subtle 'jazz' fills instead of stealing the limelight.

Overall, not enough songs bring the listener in deep enough to help this album to higher status.