Blog Post // 2021-09-11

Katatonia Albums Ranked Worst To Best

Katatonia. Most people that are into metal at least have heard this name. If you are into progressive metal, and a thoughtful, melancholy atmosphere, then you surely know some Katatonia. And, yes, you surely have your favourites from them.

I have to say I was happy to take on this task. This is something I wanted to do because I was finding myself constantly listening to them in my car, as of late. In the hectic rush that is life right now, it has been feeling like a breath of fresh air.

This band has had many lineup changes along the way. It seems that there have been two solid members, lasting the whole history. They took on many roles in the beginning, and then started to bring in additional musicians. Determination and talent has got them to a place where they have made so many albums.

Overall, this journey going deeper into these albums has given me a respect for the band's transformation, and the styles they have embodied over the years! Not every band can say they have done this!

I know not everyone will agree with my thoughts, but here I go with ranking their full studio album discography (as of September 2021)!

Dance of December Souls (1993)

An unexpected place to start for a first full album, once you know where they end up. This album shows it was made by death metal fans back in the day. The atmosphere is thick, but in an eccentric kind of way. They brought in sounds (like flowing water) that add to this ambience. This album surprised me the first time I heard it; I would never have guessed it was them. The voice sounds so desperate, in a good way, but with an edge of sometimes dark, sometimes upbeat music. Though the pace changes throughout, the slow parts are what stick in my mind. 

This album art is cheesy. The pink clouds and glamourous greyscale poses - lol.

The music doesn't fit with that cover, to me. The music theme seems to be one of defeat and dismay, while the cover makes me think of drugs and sleep.

Length: 11 songs // 1 hour 2 minutes

Best Song: Gateways Of Bereavement

City Burials (2020)

I really found that this album just doesn't escalate in the way I like. There is a lot of down time. I don't like the backing vocal; it seems to stick out a lot more than other albums. The guitar parts feel more rock-oriented, and the vocals at times actually sound more like something you would hear on the radio.

This artwork looks like someone who has reached some level of honour as a king, but isn't happy. It isn't what he actually wants.

The theme on this album seems almost optimistic at first, but becomes more and more clear that the person sought after is unattainable - maybe dead. 

Length: 12 songs // 52 minutes

Best Song: Heart Set To Divide

Discouraged Ones (1998)

The music feels like it has warped again in this one, to a much faster pace overall, and the use of layered cleans. But it has a punk edge to it. Feels like the emotion in the voice is more palpable and less smooth than some other albums.

This cover's depiction of a winged person, likely looked at as an angel by many, but could also be other fantasy creatures, has a stance and colours that make you think this creature isn't happy (discouraged, lol).

The music also doesn't feel content, lyrically. It is contemplative and not wanting to be on the current path. The name works well for the theme.

Length: 13 songs // 1 hour 2 minutes 

Best Songs: I Break, Distrust

Tonight's Decision (1999)

This album has a weird 80's pop vibe at times, musically, and a bit of a punk-ish vocal. The drums seem to be prominent, though the music feels a little empty. A good example is In Death, A Song.

To me, Jonas is learning how to use his clean vocals on this album. He isn't holding them the way he does on later albums. There is some flow to his voice, but he isn't there yet. 

I have to say that the song I checked out when I had my channel, A Darkness Coming, is definitely the best song on this album! It is on my first playlist.

I like the shade of that artwork. It makes me think of a memory where this picture showed the good, and it all changed drastically the next second. 

The album stays on this vein, lyrically. It seems to be feeling heavyhearted about the choices and places it is finding itself. Seems like things are going to change for the worse.

Length: 9 songs // 48 minutes

Best Songs: A Darkness Coming, For My Demons

Viva Emptiness (2003)

One of the things I really like about Katatonia is the way Jonas lays out the words, but I have to say, in this one, it feels awkward at times. The music also feels sparse at times. The keyboard stands out on this album. Some parts felt almost like 60's rock, which isn't what I am looking for.

The artwork really makes you feel a sense of being alone. This little kid is on her own on a dark road I wouldn't want to be on. The sky looks desolate; you can't see her face; it is hard to make out what she is carrying.

The feel of the lyrics in this album seem like things are uncertain and a struggle. There is even a sense of real danger, and a need to be cautious.

Length: 13 songs // 53 minutes

Best Song: Criminals

Last Fair Deal Gone Down (2001)

These songs are memorable. They are all pretty catchy. The vocal has some kind of effect on it that is odd, but it seems to be a part of the metamorphosis this band went through, and it isn't a total turnoff. The rest of the music pulls it together and makes it work.

This artwork... I hate dirty washrooms. Makes me think of a hotel I stayed in when I was only 12, right down to the broken mirror. We went to drop my sister off at camp a day too early and had to find a place to spend the night (we were several hours from home). The hotel was the only one available. It was frightening. Our door didn't lock, and we could hear people fighting. I think this visual is showing that very thing. It is a place to be, but not the nicest or safest.

The lyrics follow this same kind of storyline. The person isn't measuring up to what he hoped for. He is in places that aren't that desirable, believing lies about himself, feeling like things can only get worse. There seems to be some level of outside control, or fear of the outside.

Length: 11 songs // 50 minutes

Best Songs: Dispossession, I Transpire

Brave Murder Day (1996)

This is definitely a surprising album. It is such a different pace and sound. The vocals are low and harsh. They kept the song names simple. 

I find myself listening to it over and over, and enjoying it. It is reminiscent of Opeth, though it seems they have come out during a similar time period (later I realized it actually is Mikael from Opeth doing the harsh vocals here, lol). And, yes, I find it quite relaxing.

Though I like the colour on the album picture, dead animals are never appealing. Gives you a sense of danger. Maybe something is causing widespread death?

Not sure about the lyrics. It makes me think of someone in a house suffering pain, and no one knowing about their will to live slowly being removed, day by day. It does seem to get more and more bleak, and ends with death.

Length: 9 songs // 1 hour

Best Songs: Murder, Day

The Fall of Hearts (2016)

This is a pretty soft album overall. It is staying in the moments, and some of those moments are really beautiful. I really love some songs, and others feel rock-oriented and don't catch my attention.

The artwork makes you wonder what could have caused a bird to fall in this unnatural way.

This album seems to be aware of a need to move forward. A need for some change.

Length: 13 songs // 1 hour 12 minutes

Best Songs: Old Heart Falls, Decima, Pale Flag

Night Is The New Day (2009)

This album seems to be slow-paced when it is slow-paced, and heavier when it is heavier; not ever really in between. It isn't afraid to stay soft.

I am not sure what the artwork is depicting. There is a red city with a very dark background. I am not sure what the statue depicts, but I am thinking it is supposed to Mary or some other religious statue.

The theme seems to be letting go of the past, and moving forward into a darker way. Makes a lot of sense with the name of the album.

Length: 11 songs // 48 minutes

Best Songs: Forsaker, Idle Blood, The Longest year

The Great Cold Distance (2006)

The whole band is moving together at the same pace on this album. It feels very cohesive. Nice atmosphere that fits nicely with the vocals. The songs will get stuck in your head, because they are momentous. 

The few colours in the artwork and obvious emotional tension - something isn't right. Makes me think of someone devastated, and they don't want others to know, so they cover their face.

I think the words also echo this idea of being devastated. It seems like someone's impact has been destructive.

Length: 12 songs // 51 minutes

Best Songs: Leaders, My Twin, July

Dead End Kings (2012)

This album is delightful! It feels full, the riffs wrap around the vocals nicely. The songs are memorable and singable. This albums feels particularly emotional. 

I don't know what is going on with this artwork: a giant skeleton bird spewing out darkness?

This album seems to be giving up on a relationship. It is turning some responsibility on the other person, who appears to be someone that can't be trusted and has been hurtful.

Length: 11 songs // 48 minutes

Best Songs: The Parting, Undo You, Lethean, Dead Letters