The cover artwork of Muse’s eighth studio record Simulation Theory makes me think of movie posters for cinematic blockbuster Ready Player One. Since the movie takes place in a dystopian future but references popular culture of the eighties, this comparison makes even more sense because Muse offers the musical equivalent of it. This record is an electronic rock record with domineering synthetic soundscapes and some references to experimental pop music of the eighties from Ultravox, Pet Shop Boys and Giorgio Moroder. 

While the band certainly explores new soundscapes on this record, it feels as if the trio were jumping the retro chic hype train. The combination of futuristic electronic elements and mellow pop melodies might sound intriguing at first contact but ends up sounding repetitive, formulaic and even lifeless. The last element is the record’s biggest problem as it sounds devoid of any emotion. There isn’t one emotive keyboard layer, gripping vocal line, passionate guitar solo, surprising bass rhythm or vivid drum pattern on this release. 

Aside of the facts that the popular British trio continues to experiment nearly twenty-five years into its career and that the record has a clear guiding line, there aren’t any positive elements to mention. This album sounds soulless to me. Fans of electronic pop music might partially like this record but those who admired the band’s past alternative and progressive rock soundscapes will be disappointed by this lifeless release.

Final rating: 20%

Inspired by the acoustic re-imagination of Dead End Kings released as Dethroned & Uncrowned, Katatonia went on a short acoustic tour playing in exotic locations such as London's Union Chapel where this release was recorded. The band didn't only feature songs from its acoustic album but performed tracks from many other records acoustically which gives them completely different soundscapes. Since it was a very short tour, it's quite appropriate to give fans all around the world the occasion to appreciate its moments of magic on screen.

The appeasing, melodic and timid guitar play, the smooth yet playful percussive work and the soothing and melancholic vocals complement one another and create an enchanting atmosphere in a beautiful building illuminated by candlelight in front of an intimate and welcoming crowd. Even though the band members were nervous performing such an unusual show, they pulled it off in a versatile way as this album might be the most technically impressive of the Swedish band so far. 

Even the session musicians and guest singer Silje Wergeland of The Gathering fame are perfectly integrated and harmonize with the core trio of Katatonia after some complicated line-up changes. 

The sound of the concert is crystal clear and the image quality is equally convincing. Pointing out any specific songs on this release wouldn't make much sense since the sum is greater than its parts. Be assured that all tracks have been arranged very carefully and that there is no filler material to be found.

This release also features a one-hour long documentary which actually consists of a very long interview with Anders Nyström and Jonas Renkse. Even though this feature might seem boring at first sight, the questions they are asked are quite intimate and interesting and show that the interviewer was perfectly familiar with the band history. The two musicians give careful but honest answers that will help the spectator learn more about the past, present and future of the band.

In the end, Katatonia's Sanctitude features an atmospheric, creative and skillful acoustic concert where the band pushes its boundaries and experiences a career-changing event. The acoustic album Dethroned & Uncrowned was already quite convincing but these live renditions of diversified acoustic songs are even more essential. It doesn't matter if you are a fan of rock music, metal music or even gothic music as this intimate release should definitely please your eyes and ears.

Final rating: 90%

Music videos have recently been going out of vogue and have traditionally been underused by metal bands and particularly by the genre's most popular groups. Metallica is overall a positive exception and this collection is actually quite entertaining with a running time way above two hours.

The band's first music video might also be its most popular one. It offers scenes from the gripping anti-war movie Johnny Got His Gun intertwined with the young band performing in an abandoned warehouse. The shots in black and vibe add a visual atmosphere to the already emotional epic ''One''. 

The band continued to experiment with the music video genre with its epic ballad ''The Unforgiven'' that is also featured in its theatrical version of eleven and a half minutes on this release. The cryptic short movie in black and white shows a young boy who becomes and adult and later on an old man who desperately tries to carve an opening into a stone wall all his life.

Another intriguing music video was made for the moody ''Until It Sleeps'' that shows the band members wearing heavy make-up and struggling with inner demons in a visually stunning way. Just like the song itself, the music video is an acquired taste but it certainly is very unique.

The same could be said about the music video for ''The Memory Remains'' where the band plays in a revolving room while guest singer Marianne Faithfull makes an appearance as enigmatic host of said room.

The music video for the Bob Seger cover ''Turn the Page'' is maybe the most intense one on this compilation. It shows the everyday life of a prostitute who lives in cheap hotel rooms and dances in filthy strip clubs while her young daughter follows her everywhere. In a few intersected interview clips, the prostitute claims she would make the same life choices again but her voice is cracking and she is looking down which implies that she is lying to herself. At the end of the clip, the prostitute gets sexually abused by one of her clients while her daughter watches in a closet and comforts her saddened mother after the event. This music video offers a lot of food for thought and leaves the spectator on an uneasy note.

A final interesting music video is the one made for single ''I Disappear'' that was made for the soundtrack of Mission: Impossible 2. It shows the band playing on a rock formation in Arizona which is the opening location of said movie. The performance is intertwined with scenes where the different members must escape dangerous situations such as getting out of a crumbling building or facing an angry crowd leading to a claustrophobic experience.

The quality of Metallica's music videos is overall excellent despite a few boring clips that only show the band performing on stage or in studio. Fans of the band and those who value the underrated art of music videos should purchase this release alike. Since the band continued to make numerous music videos in recent years, here's hope that this release will have its sequel in a few years. I would certainly purchase that one as well. If you look for another band that highly valued the art of music videos, check out Red Hot Chili Peppers' Greatest Videos.