If you're looking for an experimental Katatonia that steps outside of the box, you won't find that here. But you will find a very guitar driven album that is their most doom metal work they have done in years. The production is very warm and inviting. It is too clean perhaps but it works for this album's sound, which is full of catchy songs and great h ooks.
The singles led some to believe this album was moving away from their depressive sound but nothing could be further from the truth. The album isn't as...drab as their others but that only means the darkness is better Illuminated and now you can see what is killing you. This is a very different album than 'City Burials,' which is to be expected since every Katatonia album is different frome each other. This album seems to be very focused on the songs themselves rather than the overall atmosphere.
As such, and even though Jonas once again wrote all the songs himself, it feels more like a true band effor this time around compared to City Burials, which felt like a solo project at times.
The opening track, 'Austerity,' is a solid opener and a bit more energetic start to their album than usual. It is a solid, catchy tune that will appease those looking for a quick start to the album rather than longer build up.
'Colossal Shade,' is one of my favorits on the album and has held up well on repeated listens. The lyrical stanzas are as catchy as the chorus but it is the rhythm section that makes it stand out. The quiet more tender part where Jonas says, "We are gathered here tonight," is one of many fragile moments the album sticks in between heavier moments. It is a delicate balance but it works.
'Drab Moon,' is another personal favorite for me. It sounds like some of the more ambient, lighter moments from their last couple albums. The song's flow and buildup is paced well and the weird synths/keys enhance the song rather than distract. The vocals are the highlight during the stanzas, a gentle yet huge inflection highlighting each word. The lat half of the song is built around the chorus and a slow groove--just love the song so much.
'Author,' has one of the most catchy chorus' on the album---I still cant get it out of my head and it has been days. Similar to 'Drab Moon,' the stanzas use clean instrumentation but the instruments turn heavy for the chorus. This song is more immediate however and ijnects bigger riffs. The drumming and bass standout, especially during the chorus. I love how Jonas croons, "Sky void of stars," echoing the album's title.
'Sclera,' is an interesting song with a variety of tones and sounds plus filtered vocals opening the song up slowly--bombastic drums lead the song into clearer, but still clean, waters. The atmosphere for the chorus is wonderful and pensive but it all comes together for a classic Katatonia song.
The final song is 'No Becaon To Illuminate Our Fall,' is the album's epic and the most doom oriented they have been in years. The riffs in the opening moments are chunky and move the song along dark, rough waters. Afterwards, the clean guitar ramps up to thick, doom riffs before going clean again. Aftewards, it yet again switches moods into a hihgly emotive guitar solo.
It is too early to tell where this album will fall in their overall discrography but every since the release of 'The Great Cold Distance,' the band has been on fire. 'Sky Void Of Stars,' continues their unstoppable trend of releasing solid album after solid album.
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