From the opening track to the final wind-down, Night is the New Day is probably the most consistent work from Katatonia to date. Forsaker offers a strong start to the album, introducing forceful, guitar-driven metal as well as carefully crafted melodic vocals. Departer winds down, bringing the album to close on a melancholy note. The tracks between tell a sonically rich story of sadness and torment.

Night is the New Day offers up a round, dense and intelligent mix of metal, strings and entrancing harmony. On past albums, Jonas’ voice could come across as weak and lackluster. For Night is the New Day, his vocals are powerful and convincing throughout. Though he maintains a whimsical quality, he conveys the emotional quality of his lyrics with clarity and strength.

Instrumentally, Night is the New Day is rich and vibrant. Each of the tracks is carefully orchestrated and the harmonies add a brilliant quality to the dark message offered up. Rather than being overpowering, the guitars blend nicely with the string instrumentation found throughout the album.

Katatonia created an all-around album that will appeal to fans of music whether they enjoy metal or not. Night is the New Day is definitely one of the best albums released in 2009 and should find its way on to any music lover’s end-of-year shopping list.

Get a copy of Night is the New Day here