Dead End Kings

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Thom Jurek
When Sweden's Katatonia released the nearly conceptual Night Is the New Day in 2009, there was little doubt that they had nearly transcended metal -- despite the fact that they engaged in thundering heaviness at will. Dead End Kings is a further exploration of the deeply atmospheric, melodic brand of "dark rock" offered on the earlier recording, but where the former was so focused on being an album that was greater than the sum of its parts, the latter is a collection of tightly written songs that work in virtually any sequential context, making for a more compelling listen. Produced by vocalist Jonas Renkse and guitarist Anders Nyström, and mixed by David Castillo, Dead End...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Thom Jurek
When Sweden's Katatonia released the nearly conceptual Night Is the New Day in 2009, there was little doubt that they had nearly transcended metal -- despite the fact that they engaged in thundering heaviness at will. Dead End Kings is a further exploration of the deeply atmospheric, melodic brand of "dark rock" offered on the earlier recording, but where the former was so focused on being an album that was greater than the sum of its parts, the latter is a collection of tightly written songs that work in virtually any sequential context, making for a more compelling listen. Produced by vocalist Jonas Renkse and guitarist Anders Nyström, and mixed by David Castillo, Dead End Kings offers a massive integration of sounds, textures, and architectures, organic and synthetic, ranging from lush softness to nearly bludgeoning moments of doom-laden density. A cello introduces "The Parting," the set opener. It is answered by Nyström and Per Eriksson's rumbling guitars, Daniel Liljekvist's syncopated drumming, and Niklas Sandin's thrumming bassline. It is further decorated by layers of dark aural thickness: synths, multi-tracked strings, and haunted ambiences courtesy of Frank Default. It is the door that opens into a swirling, shape-shifting universe, where sophisticated melodics underscore melancholic themes of isolation, loss, grief, death, loneliness, and existential angst -- the sadness is pervasive. Norwegian vocalist Silje Wergeland of the Gathering adds a passionate duet vocal on "The One You Are Looking for Is Not Here." "Hypnone," with guitars at the forefront, highlighted by rolling tom-toms, adds a sinister tinge. While "The Racing Heart" is the only cut on the set that is a ballad proper -- and a lovely one, too -- "Buildings" is the only cut that could properly be called "metal." The latter features churning guitar riffs, propulsive drumming, and urgent synths, in a stop-and-start cadence that alternates with bleak melodies and near menace. The latter half of the record features tracks -- "Leech," "Ambitions," "Undo You" -- that alternate between rockist balladry and doom, yet differ from one another a great deal. The harder "Lethean" and the gloomily anthemic "First Prayer" prefigure "Dead Letters," the set's finest cut, which can properly be called "prog" (not a criticism). With its various parts, ever-shifting dynamics, and blazing instrumental interludes, it sends the set off with a nearly majestic bang. Dead End Kings is uncompromising in its musical excellence, bleak vision, and dark, hunted beauty; it extends Katatonia's reach exponentially.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 8/28/2012
  • Label: Peaceville Uk
  • UPC: 801056840325
  • Catalog Number: 403
  • Sales rank: 12,765

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 The Parting (4:52)
  2. 2 The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here - Silje Wergeland (3:52)
  3. 3 Hypnone (4:06)
  4. 4 The Racing Heart (4:05)
  5. 5 Buildings (3:28)
  6. 6 Leech (4:23)
  7. 7 Ambitions (5:08)
  8. 8 Undo You (4:55)
  9. 9 Lethean (4:39)
  10. 10 First Prayer (4:25)
  11. 11 Dead Letters (4:27)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Katatonia Primary Artist
Jonas Renkse Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Anders Nyström Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocals
Per Eriksson Guitar
Silje Wergeland Vocals, Guest Appearance
Frank Default Keyboards
Niklas Sandin Bass Guitar
JP Asplund Percussion
Daniel Liijekvist Drums
Technical Credits
Mats Lindfors Mastering
Katatonia Arranger
Tim Borror Booking
David Castillo Engineer
Andy Farrow Management
Travis Smith Artwork
Per Eriksson Engineer
Frank Default Producer, keyboard arrangements
Tobbe Larentz Booking
Nyström Composer, Art Direction
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