Category:
Rock / Metal

Try if you like:
Anathema, Deftones, Opeth, Tool

I don't even know who recommended Last Fair Deal Gone Down or how I caught wind of it but I'm glad that I did. It was my introduction to the Swedish metal band Katatonia. And while they don't quite have the heaviness associated with many other Swedish metal acts they do have some originality. It seems that they may be taking some nods from The Deftones here, at least on the opening track "Dispossession". It is not a fast song but it is thick. You might even be far fetched calling Katatonia "metal" on this album. They take much more of a hard rock approach and most of the songs, if not all of them, are easily accessible. Look at the dynamics of "Tonight's Music" and tell me it wouldn't fit on modern rock radio quite easily. They probably have more in common with Tool than Candlemass. On a song like "Clean Today" you get more of a taste of the chugging guitars that these guys do so well. 

After giving a fair listen to Last Fair Deal Gone Down I felt satisfied. It wasn't one of those revolutionary moments but I felt that Katatonia had proven to me their worth. It's a good album if you are looking for something more along the lines of Tool or Deftones rather than a Swedish Death Metal act. They are good musicians, the vocalist is quite decent although he does tire a little after a few listens. Give Katatonia a shot if you are looking for something new in the Metal / Hard Rock arena.