In what probably seems like no surprise to any of the staff here at Dead Rhetoric, Katatonia’s latest full-length was the clear victor at the end of May, despite some solid competition. The Fall of Hearts feels equal parts adventurous and the next logical successor in their line of dark rock/metal masterpieces. Pushing towards the 70-minute mark could have been a risky move, but the surprises that Katatonia pulls out of their sleeves as you progress through the album will keep you on your toes and only add to the overall enjoyment. As their first album in four years (not counting the acoustic revision that was Dethroned & Uncrowned it’s live companion Sanctitude), few can manage to build such expectations and still manage to match the listeners’ hype while providing them with an experience that is fresh and moving into new directions. A treat that many will still find themselves spinning at the end of the year and beyond.
An excerpt from David E. Gehlke’s 8.5/10 review, which posted on May 23, 2016:
Katatonia goes on two album “kicks,” for lack of a better term. Discouraged Ones and Tonight’s Decision were an obvious pairing; Last Fair Deal Gone Down remains the band’s triumphant oddity; Viva Emptiness and The Great Cold Distance worked well together, and more recently, Night is the New Day and Dead End Kings explored the band’s minimalist side. It’s proof positive that Katatonia are one of metal’s most evolutionary bands. They are unable to stand still and/or be complacent, which as you could imagine, serves their tenth album, The Fall of Hearts, quite well.
Plainly stated, Katatonia have bettered Dead End Kings, sharpened the edges of Night is the New Day, and kept in mind the blunt heaviness of The Great Cold Distance. Then again, The Fall of Hearts sounds nothing like those albums. Just how they drew it up. Katatonia, above anyone else, remain metal’s dark, soul-clutching treasure.
Read the entire review HERE.