Well well, where do we begin...
The expectation. I've been waiting for this album for at least two years. I'm sure the feeling was mutual for many others. And
The Great Cold Distance is by no means an easy act to follow.
The hype. The album was built up, the down-loadable single,
Forsaker, the mini-site, the eventual track-listing, Mikael Akerfeltd's comments....
The eventual goods? For my humble opinion, read on.
Night Is the New Day - Tracklist
1|
Forsaker
2|
The Longest Year
3|
Idle Blood
4|
Onward Into Battle
5|
Liberation
6|
The Promise of Deceit
7|
Nephilim
8|
New Night
9|
Inheritance
10|
Day and Then the Shade
11|
Departer
Track One - Forsaker
This was the first hint of what Katatonia had created on this album. Dark, pulsating and lively, this song is like
My Twin mixed with Dave Lombardo.
As we can expect from Katatonia, it's in one word 'majestic'. Great album opener, fantastic melody, melancholy, and really, what a great song! This song is right up there with other Katatonia album openers -
Leaders,
For My Demons and so on, and it shows Katatonia are again an evolving, and at this point, rather angry beast. 9.5/10
Track Two - The Longest Year
They don't let us down. The Longest Year keeps up the high standards of the opening track, and again reminds me of a mix of the TGCD style, and a more personal, metallic sound that seems constant throughout the album. The chorus and bridge here are first rate. The lyrics again are of such a high standard. One of the best songs on the album for me. Would highly recommend. 9/10
Track Three - Idle Blood
I may as well review the
Damnation album by
Opeth, because this is uncanny. Jonas sounds like his friend Mikael so much here I mistook them! Still, it's a pleasingly slow, melodic song, and it cools the album down after two fast (For Katatonia) and slick sounding songs. It's nice. 8/10
Track Four - Onward Into Battle
I'll start by saying a lot of songs on this album remind me of
Unfurl. This is one of them, mainly because of Jonas's vocal delivery. That slow, saddened, thoughtful almost, voice is amazing. Some quite refreshing guitar riffs are present too. Great song, could well become a favourite. 7/10
Track Five - Liberation
Another early favourite. Starts with the urban-esque beat found in Unfurl (again) in the background, but soon emerges as one of the heavier tracks on the album. The song breaks into heavy chopping riffs, and a pick up in tempo, but again, recedes. Picks up later, with a real feel of
Increase and
The Itch, among other TGCD songs. The lyrics are delivered well, and quickly by Jonas. Solid song. 7.5/10
Track Six - The Promise of Deceit
Interesting intro to the song - Jonas sings in a removed, echo like voice, soon breaking into more melodic singing. The song builds and builds, and as Jonas sings 'When did you come to think...' the song gets heavier. A pleasing chorus follows, and the song calms down somewhat, then builds again after a pause. The lyrics here are direct, and provoking. Despite the dark subject matters, you'll sing along. 7.5/10
Track Seven - Nephilim
Possibly another early favourite. Nice intro, spellbinding vocals. Katatonia are really in their groove by now, and this is another hopeless, bleak, but amazing song. The chorus is delivered with a slow, crushing drum beat, with Jonas's long, emotive vocals soaring above the music. Interesting guitar as the end of the song nears keeps us in touch. 8/10
Track Eight - New Night
Very much similar to TGCD era songs here. The rhythmic beat of the drums, and sad, laid back guitar work is a welcome hail-back to songs like
July. The song is very finished, with the flourish of a keyboard piece in the background adding to the sound. The song stops and starts, going between building and heavy. With fear of repetition of myself, great lyrics. A song to be deciphered, and that will grow on me. 7.5/10
Track Nine - Inheritance
Jonas is incredible here. His voice fades in and out of melancholic guitar, a slow beat played in the background by Liljekvist on the drums. The vocals pause for a small symphonic bridge, and the song is slightly faster as it moves on. Another pause, then the vocals rejoin us. A nice guitar riff is to be heard near the end too. A good calming pause as we leave several heavier, dynamic songs behind. 8/10
Track Ten - Day And Then The Shade
Another single in the making. Great melody here, the drums, guitar work and of course the vocals immediately grab our attention, with the tempo change after Inheritance obvious. As the chorus starts, the lyrics of the song 'Every waking hour...' are drilled into our minds. Overall, a fast, polished, very slick sounding song. And another one with very good delivery and lyrics. Great, great song. 9/10
Track Eleven - Departer
When I first heard it I thought - this is Unfurl part two, more so than ever before on this album. A slow, ambient intro for around 40 seconds leads to thoughtful, sad vocals, complemented nicely by pleasing keyboard work. The song gains momentum, but is all just a stage for Jonas's vocals. The tempo changes again, and as Krister Linder (guest vocals on this song) sings:
Brother
In your eyes I was the stronger
We realise we are being given such an emotional piece, and journey from this band. A fitting, introspective end to a fascinating album. A really fitting album closer. Perfect. 10/10.
-Remember to try bonus song Ashen -
All in all, this album is similar to The Great Cold Distance, but is not as well rounded, and does not contain the huge singles (July, My Twin...) of TGCD. This is rawer, but polished, and more refined. The album is hopeless, apathetic in places, but still has that unique, uplifting feel to it that, upon inspection, every Katatonia album has. To start with, try Forsaker or Day And Then The Shade. It will grow. Watch this space. This is a potentially huge album.
Overall, a good initial 88/100
Also read:
Katatonia: A Discography Review
Revised: Ulver, A Discography Review
KatatoniaMy Dying BrideUlverAnathemaAgallochDarkspaceDarkthroneParadise LostIron MaidenAnaal NathrakhOpethOctober TideSwallow the SunTestamentFenToolCult of LunaIsisNeurosisHead Control SystemDaathDark TranquillityIn FlamesSoilworkIron MaidenMetallicaSlayerDownDarkspaceDarkthroneNileDeicideSatyriconPanic CellVenomDeathspell OmegaDiametragonLifeloverEarthSunn O)))Shining
Agalloch
