Katatonia
My Twin

THE REVIEW

Trembling, romantic notes with velvety distortions open this brief endeavor by Katatonia, a prelude to the melancholic "The Great Cold Distance" and a symbol of yet another (and successful) change within the sounds of the five Scandinavians.

"My Twin" opens the dance introduced by an effluvium of tearful harmonies, revealing the tone of sweet guitars and a sighing, warm voice narrating the nostalgia of a lost love. Reinforced by soberly distorted riffs, it explodes into a chorus that lets strong emotions flow, where the singer Renkse's approach reveals talent and feeling. In the subsequent remix, "My Twin" appears even slower and more graceful, woven with dreamy keys and drum beats that slowly sink the slow strokes into the poetic harmonies of the singing. Evocative and deserving.

The two unreleased tracks that follow hint at the band's desire to experiment and cross the boundaries of dark rock in order to fuse the melancholic approach with atmospheres akin to a kind of dreamy and imaginative dream-pop. The solid and metallic riff of "Displaced" contrasts with the soft break of distinctly melodic vocals, and the piece continues with the combination of two profoundly different styles (dark-metal and pop) that do not clash in the combo's sound but rather suit them perfectly. Lullaby-like guitars with leads reminiscent of early works lower the curtain on a classy song. And the exquisite class of the Swedes explodes in the sweetness of "Dissolving Bonds" where one can breathe atmospheres close to "Last Fear Deal Gone Down" and, above all, where the clear desire to insert pop elements within a rich and impactful sound is evident.

Excellent performance by Renkse, emotional and skillful in transmitting vibes loaded with nostalgia, effective Nyström and Norman who let elegant and deep harmonies flow supported by always rock-solid rhythms, not forgetting the band's heavy attitude. "My Twin" is a precious EP, skillfully produced and enriched by the presence of two tracks not featured in the following album. For those who love Katatonia, an additional demonstration of talent and consistency, don't miss it.