Katatonia are as relevant as they were the first time I heard their 1999 debut “Tonight’s Decision” nearly 5 years ago. Their downbeat but melodic lyrics made an entire album full of misery one of the most inspiring records I own. ‘In Death A Song’ and ‘Had To (Leave)’ are so matter of fact about the emotion within that you can’t simply fob it off as bad goth poetry; there are no black parades of burial gowns here!

On top of this, the amazing distorted bass lines carve surreal gloom-laden soundscapes reminiscent of Tool but with its roots firmly in metal more than art rock.

Even after their tenth release people are still confusing Katatonia with the long defunct welsh pop band Catatonia; Though Katatonia with a K seem set to make a comeback, having recently toured with Paradise Lost.

Here at Necromag we recommend you hear the tracks ‘For My Demons’, ‘In Death A Song’ and their amazing cover of Jeff Buckley’s ‘Nightmares By The Sea’.

Katatonia are also due to do a sizable UK tour in 2010 which Necromag looks forward to covering. Until then you can hear some of their newer tracks on the official myspace.