A High-Quality Compilation from Death Metal to Alternative Rock - A Review of Katatonia's Mnemosynean

Throughout its career of twenty years and counting, Swedish quintet Katatonia has released so many rarities that a compilation such as Mnemosynean makes perfect sense for faithful fans. This compilation has been nicely created with a creative title, wonderful cover artwork and two discs offering twenty-seven songs and one hundred twenty-nine minutes of entertainment. The final result includes material from extended plays and studio records released between 1998 and 2016 in anti-chronological order as well as six mixes and remixes to finish the release on an intriguing note.

The greatest thing about this compilation is that several bonus tracks are actually better than some of the material included on regular outputs. One could mention the atmospheric, emotional and profound cover version of Judas Priest's overlooked gem "Night Comes Down" from the legendary Defenders of the Faith record. Katatonia have managed to find the excellent balance between paying tribute to one of the most influential heavy metal bands and making this song sound like one of their very own.

Another shining example is the band's very own song “The Act Of Darkening”. The underestimated bonus track impresses with playful drum patterns and a delightful focus on acoustic guitar harmonies that give the song a longing campfire atmosphere.

Even though it was released on an extended play back in 1998, epic, gloomy and progressive masterpiece "Scarlet Heavens" had actually been recorded all the way back in early 1994, two months after the release of the group's debut full length effort. Needless to say that the band that plays gloomy alternative rock by now goes back to its death and doom metal roots here which should delight fans of old age. The track also manages to break the ten-minute mark without ever sounding boring. This is a true hidden gem from the quintet's massive discography.

As you can read, the high quality of the hidden gems collected here justifies the purchase of Katatonia's Mnemosynean for faithful fans and even occasional listeners. If you are not yet familiar with the band or have only heard a few tracks, you might also want to purchase this compilation to understand the band's transition from doom metal over death metal to gothic metal followed by gothic rock and alternative rock. If these genres sound intriguing to you, don't hesitate at all to give this band a chance.

Final Rating: 85%