celosia

What performing with Robert Smith does to a person

A great mix of 80s style gothic rock with doom metal, my favourite thing I’ve heard from Katatonia so far. The choice to scrap screaming for deep, gloomy vocals that could easily fit a Sisters of Mercy or early The Cure song makes this a standout record in the Swedish metal scene of the time. The instruments, even down to tone and tuning, are not only fitting for gothic metal but so perfect for the sound the band created. I Break is easily my favourite song, but every track could easily ... read more

I liked it, I just expected a bit more honestly. With songs like July and Leaders, which are dramatic and atmospheric in such a unique sounding way, it’s hard to imagine that the weaker tracks on the album are even made by the same band. The sound is consistent (maybe a bit too consistent at points) and manages to mix aspects of prog, gothic rock and alternative metal in quite a well done way - but some tracks fall flat and end up forgettable while others could’ve easily made their ... read more

NIN might be the “basic bitch” of the industrial scene, but their fame and popularity is well deserved (this album being proof of just how much they deserve it). Twisting 80’s inspired electronic music into something that’s honestly crushing, with synths usually reserved for dance music adding to the dark sound. The lyricism is great too, living up to the theme of a downward spiral by covering different ways of descending into pain.