KATATONIA - Sanctitude: Live At Union Chapel

April 8, 2015, 8 years ago

(K Scope)

Mark Gromen

Rating: 9.0

review heavy metal katatonia

KATATONIA - Sanctitude: Live At Union Chapel

Elaborate CD/DVD package that sees the candle lit Swedes unplugged in a London, UK church, May 16th, last year. Needless to say it's a unique vibe. The full color photography inside the booklet is quite stunning. The 17 song, career retrospective (newly adapted for seated, acoustic performance), lasts 80 minutes and is also captured, in its entirety, on the audio disc. There's also a slightly over a hour length documentary/interview with the creative duo: a monotone Jonas Renkes (vocals, and this night, clean electric guitar) and more eloquent guitarist Anders Nystrom. The two sit cross-armed, answering questions (written onscreen) in English either in grainy color (although they're in the shadows,decked out in black), sepia or B&W.; They discuss the technical aspects of the DVD shoot, but also the “warts”, like ongoing line-up struggles, fans who departed after they dropped growls, even the future of Katatonia.

Respectful of the setting (not necessarily the religious aspect, just what Katatonia designed), the audience is on its best behavior. Apart from one guy yelling "You guys rock" as they take the stage, the fans basically sit on their hands (practically no cellphone recordings throughout), bursting into shouts/applause only when Renkes acknowledges the end of the song, with a coy "Thank you." Percussion is either hand drummed tablas, wood block, tambourine/ shaker or other less invasive augmentation. The cameras also offer shots from the band's perspective. "Gone" is introduced as never having been previously performed. "The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here" finale (also an exclusive airing) sees The gathering's Silje Wergeland reprise her vocals. Other guests include Pineapple Thief mainman Bruce Soord, who mixed/mastered the audio. Something special.



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