KATATONIA is a Doom Metal/Depressive Rock/Metal band based out of Sweden, and one of their longest standing metal bands in the country. Formed in 1991, the band had previously released ten studio albums and a body of work that have made them one of the most beloved bands in this style. "A Fall of Hearts" is their eleventh, and contains thirteen tracks. The start of "Takeover" is lush with vocal harmony and tender guitar chords. The heaviness then rears its head. After all of this time it is hard to imagine how this band can stay so fresh but that is exactly what this song brings. The crushing weight of a feather. "Serein" is a little more uniform, with a steady and easy listening sound that, dare I say, makes me more happy than sad. Still, there are depressing passages just off the path a bit. Like voices in the wind, they beg you to follow while you try to maintain your bearings. "Old Heart Falls" on the other hand is bereaved. Here you are kneeling at a grave of your elder, with fading light on a late fall eve, as scattered leaves and the forces of time slowly decay the headstone.

"Decima" is simply beautiful. The drawn out vocal notes are excruciating, like your soul is being taken apart piece by piece. The instrumentation is supportive with just the right amount of presence. "Sanction" is on a completely different level, with Djent tones and a much heavier feeling. Shrouded in mystery, the minor chords leave a suspenseful mark. This is at the more weighted end of the album. "Residual" makes good use of some programming that sound like keyboard notes. They are hauntingly sublime. The chorus brings on a fullness that fills you with satisfaction. "Last Song before the Fade" is more wanton than the title suggests, though there is no short supply of tender moments either. It comes together with great synergy in the end like pins lining up inside a lock as the key is inserted. "The Night Subscriber" is another heavier and more powerful track with a sonic boom as the chords are struck. Each one could bring down a mountain, like an unmitigated cyclops on a rampage wielding his massive club. "Pale Flag" is so delicate that it could float away with the slightest breeze. Keeping the drumming to a minimum is part of the reason it stays to ethereal.

"Vakaren" closes the album. The lyrics are sung in their native language. You don't need to be able to understand them however to feel the emotional impact of the music. Indeed, that is one of the things that KATATONIA does best. Overall I am impressed with the diversity of the songs on this album, as well as how well it sounds so far into their career. It's hard to stay fresh and creative having been around this long, but they sure reminded me with a smack in the face how much of a major force they are in this industry today. By all accounts, "The Fall of Hearts" is one of their best albums to date.