Katatonia
Deliberation (MCD)

August 2006
Released: 2006, Peaceville Records
Rating: 3.0/5
Reviewer: Lord of the Wasteland

On DELIBERATION, their second single/E.P. release from THE GREAT COLD DISTANCE, Katatonia have chosen a typical, if not familiar, song that embodies the band’s current sound to a tee and is sure to tickle the band’s completist fans, as well. Unlike the MY TWIN MCD that preceded THE GREAT COLD DISTANCE, DELIBERATION is a bit lighter on material unfortunately and certainly harder to recommend to those other than Katatonia die-hards.



Besides the drawing power of the brilliant title track, an “urban dub” of “In The White” is not unlike a Portishead drum ‘n bass entry. Not bad but not entirely useful, either. The unreleased “Code Against The Code” may be the real draw here but even it doesn’t quite measure up to the quality of material found on the full-length. In other words, it is easy to see why this one was left off. The video for “Deliberation” is a real treat to watch, though. Filmed in black and white and trippy in its presentation, if nothing else, the video makes for a laudable purchase of the single.



While hardly essential, DELIBERATION would be a worthy entrant into the Katatonia fan’s collection. Nicely packaged and with a cool video to boot, DELIBERATION is yet another in a string of interesting stop-gap/promo releases from this Swedish band. However, unless owning everything Katatonia releases is a must, skip this and pick up THE GREAT COLD DISTANCE to see what the band is all about instead.



KILLER KUTS: “Deliberation”