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Discouraged Ones

Katatonia - Discouraged Ones Audio CD

A fair review of the Katatonia "Discouraged Ones" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Katatonia reviews here, or go back to the Katatonia tabs.

Band: Katatonia
Title: Discouraged Ones
Rating:

Release Date: 1998-06-02
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: I Break 2: Stalemate 3: Deadhouse 4: Relention 5: Cold Ways 6: Gone 7: Last Resort 8: Nerve 9: Saw You Drown 10: Instrumental 11: Distrust

Desolate, depressive rock that's strangely uplifting and beautiful.
While the melancholic feelings of loss and despair remain, the way in which it is conveyed has shifted from doom / death into a more depressive rock form. This is where things dramatically changed in the Swedes sound. But rather than be just a transitional album, "Discouraged Ones" nails the style completely. While some of the albums following would sound more mature and perhaps less one-dimensional, the blueprints were drawn up right here for everything that was to come.

The line-up between the classic "Brave Murder Day" album and this one changed only slightly. Whereas Anders Nystrom had handled bass on previous studio albums, the band now had a full-time bassist in Micke Oretoft, allowing them the tour without the need for a session musician. On top of this, the borrowed Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth was no longer needed, as Jonas Renkse took back the vocal duties with an altered technique. Whereas his vocals on early Katatonia releases were full of guttural screaming torture, he now had a cleanly sung approach that sounded no less sad or desperate. The one thing that didn't change all that dramatically is the guitar techniques and sound. Perhaps they are not quite as hypnotic and heavy as before, yet the mid paced riffs and exquisite melodies remain intact.

I do recall being quite perturbed when I first put this CD into my player all those years ago. "Brave Murder Day" was and still is one of my favourite albums and so all this change came as quite a disappointing shock to me at the time. Yet after a few confused spins I started to let go of all the unmet expectations to discover that "Discouraged Ones" is a gem all on its own. I've always been at a loss to explain why I find utterly depressive music quite uplifting, yet this is a perfect example. Tracks such as "Saw You Drown" and "Last Resort" are as brilliant as they are dreary.

Katatonia have been one of the most consistently excellent bands over the past 10 plus years and "Discouraged Ones" is one of their best and most significant releases. There's no denying that I miss the old sound, yet the new journey that this album instigated has turned out to be just as rewarding.

Katatonia's brave departure
Yet after growing tired of the scene they were performing in, Katatonia risked alienating their entire fanbase at the expense of music which came off not quite as brutal. Having already established themselves at the forefront of Sweden's rising doom-metal scene alongside contenders such as Paradise Lost and Anathema, Katatonia had defined all albums prior to Discouraged Ones with sludge-like, yet driving metal rhythms and the tortured wails of vocalist/drummer Jonas Renske. This album is probably the smartest decision in Katatonia's career up to this point, and would be the future reference of the new sound of Katatonia, one employing clean vocals, more interesting musical ideas, and overall just better production and music.

Discouraged One lacks any rhythmic complicity, with every song being played in standard 4/4 time, set up in verse/chorus/verse structures, and every chorus depending on simple barre chord strumming patterns. But complex rhythm changes would not be a primary focus for this dark Swedish outfit until Last Fair Deal Gone Down and Viva Emptiness. What Discouraged Ones is concerned with is building a unique and gloomy atmosphere, focusing more on Jonas Renske' newfound vocal style and overly depressing lyrics. This is perfect music for a cold autumn night by the fire, pondering regrets and lamenting lost loved ones.

Just about every track will sound almost identical to the untrained ear on the first few listens, but once the album is given time the subtle differences start to appear and the beauty of this recording really starts to stand out. Of note is the track "Saw You Drown", which lyrically depicts a tormented man drowning his unsuspecting lover, as well as the appropriately titled "Instrumental", which shows that guitarist Anders Nystrom can actually play fast and hold an interesting solo over beautiful mellotron voicings. Technically it's not the best Katatonia album, but atmospherically it cannot be beat.

considering? BUY
I could review all of thier albums because they all are masterpieces but this one sticks out right now because i am learning to play cold ways. katatonia is my favorite band up there with opeth. .

Gloom and Doom
Some of the rythm guitar is incredibly basic alternating between a few chords. I have to agree with many of the other reviewers; at the heart of this album's appeal is it's simplicity. The song writing is simple and verse/chorus based for the most part. These things are easy to communicate but what cannot be effectively communicated in writing is the incredible atmosphere of this CD.
Katatonia's previous release "Brave Murder Day" was a wonderfully dirgy Doom Metal album. On this album the band have taken some of that style as an influenced and mixed it with alt-rock to produce a sound remniscent of many 80s goth bands.
There is nothing particularly mindblowing about any of the instrumental performances, although the ghostly lead guitar and detuned rythm guitar are key to the band's sound. The performance that is truly breathtaking is Jonas Renske's vocal performance. On many of the songs different tones of the same lines are mixed to procude a haunting sound. Just listen to the second chorus on "nerve". On the final track, "ditrust" Renske seems gripped by hopelessness, as if he were a man looking back on a wasted life from his death bed. The words sound as if they are barely making it out of his lips. Make no mistake, this is an unforgettable vocal performance.
The album is predictably depressing and saying that alone should dictate whether or not you would be interested in this album. Don't expect flashy technique and adventurous song writing. Just expect an utterly gloomy yet incredibly beautiful listening experience.
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Depression at it's best
Frankly i have to say this is one of the best cd's i heard in my life. . .
but you know what was the surprise?the atmosphere. . . . many bands try to make difficult arrangements,complex keyboard,and haunting female vocals to make a sad atmosphere and a dark feeling to their work. . . but Katatonia do the opposite on this album. . . . so simple,but so goddam effective. . . . it's one of the saddest albums i ever heard. . . . they used to approach''less is more'' perfectly on this album. . . . brillient. . . . the vocals are working isolated somewhere between the claustrophobic guitar riff. . . . seems like the singer has no hope when he sings. . . . Jonas Renske is one very smart person indeed. . .
1. I Break-the album opener is certainly a stand out track. . . . a very catchy chorus and a very catchy guitar riff. . . . excellent 10/10
2. Stalemate-perhaps this track could be better or i have to listen more to it. . . . still a great one. . 7/10
3. Deadhouse-perhaps the best song i ever heard. . you can actually feel the guitars are crying on the chorus. . . . a masterpiece 10/10
4. Relention-simple track,but another stand out. . . again the melodic guitar is outstanding and the chorus marks the listener. . . so simple,yet so emotional 10/10
5. Cold Ways-this track is pure depression. . . . it gets better and better with every listen. . . and the chorus is very cool. . . . the last two minutes are really breathtaking10/10
6. Gone-this track doesnt reaches 3 minutes. . . the title says it all. . . gone. . that will this track leave in your head. . . why carring?all hope is lost 10/10
7. Last Resort. . a more quiet track. . . a great chorus. . . you have to listen couple of times to reach it's message 9/10
8. Nerve. . the chorus on this song leaves without comments,listen to it and you will know what i mean 10/10
9. Saw You Drown-the 'less is more' approach is excessuly used to make an outstanding track. . . . a bleak 5 minutes journey 10/10
10. Instrumental-the title says it all. . . . this little piece of guitar work leaves a monotone atmosphere while listening. . very cool 10/10
11. Distrust-on the first riffs this track reflects the sadness that this ending track has making it a standout 10/10

well this album is for anybody who wanna feel darkness. . . it takes some time but once you connect with the tracks it will mark anybody.

You can see a complete list of all Katatonia discography, or go back to the Katatonia tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.