"Defy only if you have a way to resist the lies
Decline only if you have the intention of taking this advice
Apply only if you're not afraid to see your spirit die
Retreat only if you dare not hear yourself say goodbye"

"Will I Arrive," Katatonia

It hasn't even been a full year since I discovered Katatonia's music, but I still consider them one of my most loved bands. They're one of the most versatile rock/metal bands that I know of, and vocalists just don't get much better than Jonas Renkse.

Viva Emptiness, Katatonia's 2003 release, seems to get mixed reactions from fans. Many Katatonia fans I've talked to call it the band's worst release to date, while others deem it their absolute masterpiece. I don't agree with either of those statements (though picking a favorite Katatonia album is not unlike picking a favorite finger), but I do enjoy Viva Emptiness very much. It's definitely a "grower" album, one that sounds considerably better after the first few listens.

Something that makes Viva Emptiness truly special is the way it blends aggression with calming melodies without sounding choppy or forced. Not a whole lot of bands can pull that off with such ease. So while the churning guitar riffs of "Ghost of the Sun" may get Viva Emptiness off to one seriously wild start, things soon change. The brooding introduction to "Sleeper" leads swiftly into Renkse's plaintive cries. Renkse's voice is smooth and remarkably Mikael Akerfeldt-like, full of so much emotion that it often sounds like he's fighting back tears -- this is authentic grief, not what's commonly portrayed by the whiny emo singers that dominate today's "rock" scene.

Viva Emptiness should also be applauded for how well it flows. "Sleeper" snaps right into the incredible "Criminals," which has one of the most beautifully sung choruses I've heard in quite a while: "So gather your strength and break free, or you will surely die / gather your strength, don't follow me / 'cause I will surely die..." The dark, moody nature of this song and Renkse's vocal tone may draw comparisons to Tool or A Perfect Circle.

The perfectly bleak "A Premonition" is a true journey through melancholy; it is indescribably beautiful, slow-paced, and flawlessly crafted. It is peaceful, simple, yet undeniably complex, a juxtaposition Katatonia continues to master so wonderfully. Renkse's vocal talent really shines when he quietly moans, "Keep it quiet here / I will not tolerate your noise / this is where I listen / for the forgiving voice / it haunts my dreams... it haunts my dreams..." Every word he says is full of torment, sadness and agony, yet it all seems so perfectly contemplated.

The mixture of metallic aggression and tranquil ambience only continues. "One Year From Now" highlights Anders Nystrom's striking keyboard melodies, while "Walking by a Wire" is personified by refreshingly raw guitar riffs. The solemn buildup of the progressive masterpiece "Complicity" is sure to please fans of all that is melancholy, and Renkse's lyrics are nothing to look over, either: "I have no name, my face a blur / I speak only to answer them," he softly intones.

The hard-rocking "Evidence" is one of Katatonia's most popular songs for good reason. It's one of Renkse's most outstanding vocal performances, and it's probably as catchy as a Katatonia song will ever be. Dark, sad, and heavy it certainly is, but there's something about the way that chorus latches itself into one's head.

Describing the emotion and brilliance of Viva Emptiness is not an easy task. Similarly, listening to Viva Emptiness isn't something that can be done half-heartedly. I guess the point here is that Katatonia isn't a band for those partial to the "easily accessible." This is expertly crafted, progressive, frequently depressing rock/metal music that will likely appeal to fans of Opeth, A Perfect Circle, and Tool. That said, Katatonia is one of a kind, as is Viva Emptiness. Open your mind, try it out, and be sure to thank me later.






Recommended: Yes