The Great Cold Distance (The Great Cold Distance - Katatonia)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	The Great Cold Distance - Katatonia
Date:	12/08/08 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Consistent.

Disadvantages: Very dull and repetitive.

Following the disappointment of 'Viva Emptiness,' Katatonia play it safe with an unadventurous album of slow and steady gothic rock songs, all bearing the exact same structure and often sounding like they want to be Tool, albeit without the artistry and interesting music. It's not a bad album, but there's nothing particularly notable about it either; 'Leaders' has some catchy vocals but is spoiled by a worthless quiet section, 'Increase' has some stoner rock style riffs to help distinguish it somewhat, and every song builds to the same crescendo that sees otherwise pleasant, atmospheric rock songs spoiled by an unnecessary loud finale, something that's particularly irritating in 'My Twin' and 'In the White.'

I'm glad to hear Katatonia abandoning the youth angst of their previous release, but as of this album, they haven't found anything suitable to replace it with, beyond generic rock in the vein of a duller Anathema.

1. Leaders
2. Deliberation
3. Soil's Song
4. My Twin
5. Consternation
6. Follower
7. Rusted
8. Increase
9. July
10. In the White
11. The Itch
12. Journey Through Pressure

Summary: Katatonia's seventh album (2006).