Dance of December Souls [Original recording reissued]

Katatonia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 20, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B00006FIAK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,449 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Seven Dreaming Souls (Intro)

2. Gateways of Bereavement

3. In Silence Enshrined

4. Without God

5. Elohim Meth

6. Velvet Thorns (Of Drynwhyl)

7. Tomb of Insomnia

8. Dancing December

Editorial Reviews

Dance of December Souls' was the debut album from Katatonia, who have since risen to the forefront of the gothic metal genre. Katatonia were formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nystrom. The album was recorded at Unisound Studios, April 1993 and released later that same year. Engineering and mixing was handled by Dan Swano (Opeth, Marduk, Dissection). This early incarnation of Katatonia contained a more doom/black metal approach, whilst always keeping the trademark sorrowful & hypnotic guitar melodies which are still evident today. The album exudes an atmosphere of utter melancholy, accentuated by the growled, despairing vocals of Jonas. This release also includes 5 bonus tracks in the shape of the first Katatonia release, the cult classic and hard to find 'Jhva Elohim Meth' EP which preceded the album in 1993. These songs were recorded at Gorysound Studios, July 1992, also engineered and mixed by Dan Swano. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most beautiful sad music ever, February 10, 2003

By 

Jahangir Hasan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dance of December Souls (Audio CD)

Finally ... has started to offer this masterpiece: A landmark in the history of tragic art. Katatonia deliver their finest hour as 5 grand symphonies of epic sorrow. This could very well be the most beautiful sad music ever crafted by man. Structurally the compositions are simplistic and the genius in this release is the omni-present theme of utter bereavement. However there are many parts that display stunning musicianship through parallel interweaving of individually simple instrument passages. A record that is best appreciated when listened to alone with the lights off. If you experience its true depth you will cry. Very beautifully composed keyboards and lead guitars that will leave you touched with sorrow. Renske's vocal border between growling and crying ... very well suited to the music. Lyrics are tragic romance. If you are a fan of more recent katatonia you will not like this record. But if you like sad or melodic music and have a taste for non-clear vocals you must get this CD. I wish that katatonia had stuck to this theme, maybe no one will ever parallel this creation. This is definitely one of the best albums I have ever heard.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Dance of December Souls (Audio CD)

I finally was able to get my hands on this cd and I must say it's one great album and I love their sound which is literarily unpresent on their later efforts. They deffinately achieved a lot with December Souls but at the same time, I was a little disappointed as it's not as doomy and dark as their "elohim meth" mcd which came before "dance" album. Some of the songs on that mcd don't even appear here that's why i'd rather give it four and 1/2 stars if that was an option. This is easily their best full length album. Later works are not that striking.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Doom / Black Metal Record, April 29, 2003

By 

Twitch (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dance of December Souls (Audio CD)

Katatonia has always been about creating some of the most depressing and thought provoking music released, but unlike their modern stance - which is in the same genre as early Mogwai and Anathema - their earlier years were full of head on black metal magic with a strong and palpable doom sound. 'Dance of December Souls' is a landmark release for this genre, some how defining it. The aggressive growl present on this album is excellent, one of my personal favorites, also the death growl that accompanies several of the tracks is great as well - I personally wish that the singer did not depart from Katatonia. The guitars seem to be there to only texture the songs, it goes from your simple every-day riffs to a completely unexpected array of complexities. Probably the defining sound on this album comes from the bass. It seems to wrap around your body while listening to the album in its entirety, seemingly strangling you while at the same time comforting you. The songs are all incredebly heartfelt and wholy depressing, but always seem to get you to head bang and think at the same time. Granted, the lyrics are not close to as great as they are now, even at some points cheesey, but I personally think that they match perfectly with the record. The standout tracks are "Dancing December" and "Without God" (my personal favorite). 'Dance of December Souls' is easily Katatonia's best work right behind 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down', a classic and a must listen to fans of doom.