CD Reviews

Katatonia – The Fall of Hearts (review)

Swedish doom metal band Katatonia are back again with The Fall of Hearts released on May 20th. This marks the 10th studio album for the band

Published

10 years ago

May 25, 2016

George Archibald

Katatonia – The Fall of Hearts

Reviewed By George Archibald

Swedish doom metal band Katatonia are back again with The Fall of Hearts released on May 20^th. This marks the 10^th studio album for the band that has spanned the lifetime of three decades. This album also introduces the two newest additions to the band. Drummer Daniel Moilanen who joined the band in 2015, and guitarist Roger Öjersson who is replacing longtime guitar player Per Eriksson. The Fall of Hearts follows the traditional Katatonia sound that longtime listeners have loved. Melancholy vocals accompanied with melodic guitar riffs and slight bits of organ, it doesn’t stray too far from their signature sound.

The lead off single of the album is “Old Heart Fails”, which the band made a lyrical video to promote The Fall of Hearts before its release. A haunting single guitar starts off this track before vocalist Jonas Renkse begins to unfold the song. A song of lost, sorrow and rebuilding, these are the themes of many Katatonia songs. “For every dream that is left behind me, I take a bow. With every war that would wage inside me, I hear the sound. Another day in this vanishing life, return to dust. With every chance I pushed away, unto the night.” The chorus speaks to the emotion as the music swells, in kind of a heavy hearted pick me up. Swelling guitars come in with a violin like effect to somberly finish off the song.

One of the stand out tracks on this album is, “Serac”. It has a really groovy hard rock feel on this song. The song has a very driving demeanor to it. Distorted guitars and a driving drum tempo start this song off at a medium pace, before we come to a percussion break down. Bongos, organ, and flute play through as the vocals carry us through the chorus before the pace picks up again. At 7:25 mins. long this song has a bit of everything mixed in to keep you interested throughout.

Katatonia has impressed again, sticking to the traditional sound that has made them great. The Fall of Hearts is a great showcase for Daniel Moilanen who really shows his abilities behind the kit. He has the restraint to play through the melodic without over driving it, while being able to carry through on the edgier parts of the album. Jonas Renkse’s vocals are flawless as usual, a soft lullaby in the way he carries each lyric. This album will not disappoint if you are a longtime fan of the band, if you are a new listener this a great addition to a very successful catalogue. I suggest you check out their other releases as well if you enjoy The Fall of Hearts.

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George Archibald

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CD Reviews

Marilyn Manson is Back

Published

1 year ago

November 25, 2024

Ron

Marilyn Manson just released his 12th album “One Assassination Under God-Chapter 1” on November 22nd 2024.

This album in my opinion is the best album Manson has put out since Holy Wood. It has a feeling of albums old and new with little hints of Antichrist Superstar, Mechanical Animals and Holy Wood.

The album opens up with “One Assassination Under God” which just gets you ready for what’s to come. With Manson Just finishing his tour, This is the Manson we have been needing for years now. He looks good and sounds great.

Putting out a few singles from the album , the overall feeling of this album is great. It’s been a while since I’ve like a full album of Manson, while this album isn’t perfect it’s as close as perfection of those early albums were. Of course I love the singles “As Sick as the Secrets we Keep” and “Raise the Red Flag” but I also really enjoyed songs like “Death is not a costume”, “Nod if you understand” and “Sacrilegious”

I think this new chapter of Mansons life and music is exciting , I hope we get more tours in 2025 and maybe some over the top stage shows like we did in the late 90s early 2000s. I feel the younger generation hasn’t experience a real “Full” on Manson show yet and it’s time for the King to take back his throne at the top of the Shock Rock mountain.

ALL HAIL MARILYN MANSON

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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CD Reviews

BUSH 30th ANNIVERSARY OF “SIXTEEN STONE” VINYL

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2024

Ron

I remember when this album came out in 1994 . I was 15 and really discovering all types of music. As being a typical teenage boy I seen the band name “Bush” and thought hmm I love bush, let’s check it out. It was such an amazing album from beginning to end.

The new released vinyl that just came out on November 17th is such a testament to this album being as great then as it is now. Listening to the vinyl just brought back so many memories of being an angst teenager that just wanted to heard. The vinyl package is amazing with lots of photos of the band throughout the years and the sound of the vinyl is so pristine.

I got my hands on the opaque red vinyl and just looks awesome spinning on the player. It’s crazy to think that this album has so many hits and no filler songs, even the songs that didn’t become hits are just as good as the hits.

With the hits being “Glycerine”, “Everything Zen” , “Comedown” “Little Things” and “Machinehead” but some of my favorite songs are not the hits songs like “Swim”, “Bomb” and “Alien” which is probably my favorite song on the album. If you’re a fan of Bush or this album or just want to dive into the mid 90s Grunge/Post Grunge era this is a key album to have in your collection.

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Ron

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CD Reviews

ALICE IN CHAINS “BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE” VINYL REVIEW

Published

1 year ago

October 3, 2024

Ron

Alice In Chains have Re-Released the 2009 album on vinyl. This album was the first Alice In Chains in 14 years and the first album with guitarist/singer Willam DuVall after Layne Staley passed away in 2002.

I was a huge Alice In Chains fan and was a big fan of both Layne and Jerry. When this album first came out I remember sorta pushing it the side only cause of sadness about Layne but after hearing “Check My Brain” I gave it a chance and was so glad that I did. This album is amazing and really put Alice In Chains back into the mainstream.

The vinyl not only looks super awesome but sounds amazing. If you’re a fan of Alice In Chains and into collecting Vinyl, this album is a must in your collection. It’s a great packed vinyl with 2 vinyls included.

Side A: All Secrets Known, Check My Brain and Last of My Kind. Side B: Your Decision, A Looking in View. Side C: When The Sun Rose Again, Acid Bubble, Lesson Learned. Side D: Take Her Out, Private Hell, Black Gives Away To Blue