MARCO'S ALBUMS OF 2012 - #3 (Part 21 of 23)

And here we are, at the crown of the countdown. At #3 we find KATATONIA with "Dead End Kings".

When Katatonia first radically shifted their sound toward their current motif, 'Dead End Kings' was the album in the back of their minds that represented what their new-found style was capable of. Of course that is only figurative since it has been fourteen years since their stylistic shift materialized in 'Discouraged Ones', but it is easy to see just how 'Dead End Kings' is the very essence of what Katatonia were aiming for back then. It took them almost a decade and a half and six full-length albums, but here and now we have everything that represents what Katatonia are pressed onto an album. What 'Viva Emptiness' lacked in maturity, 'The Great Cold Distance' lacked in emotion, 'Night Is The New Day' lacked in substance, 'Dead End Kings' corrects. Due to the fact that all previous Katatonia albums in this vein lacked some element or another, it was hard to catch a glimpse of the full picture of what potential really lived underneath the dust, but now that 'Dead End Kings' blows that away it is easy to see the glow that is finally allowed to reflect the sun.

Coupling this monumental efforts with the finest production you can find out there, this album gives Katatonia the crown of the absolute kings of this genre, and sets the standards for everything that will come afterwards.

An album that enters in the history of music: make sure you check the limited edition for the b-side "Seconds", to treat yourself with an extra gift in an album already full of treasures.

Suggested listening: "The Racing Heart", "Leathean", "The Parting", "Ambitions", "Seconds".