Discouraged Ones
Katatonia · 1998
46 min · 11 tracks · alternative metal
A haunting blend of melancholy melodies and heavy riffs, fusing gothic metal with atmospheric doom elements.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Break Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its melancholic melodies and heavy instrumentation, establishing the emotional landscape explored throughout.
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Cold Ways — This track stands out for its hauntingly beautiful chorus that juxtaposes despair with moments of lyrical clarity, encapsulating the album's themes of isolation.
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Last Resort — In this song, the interplay between clean vocals and harsh instrumentals highlights the internal struggle that pervades the album, making it a poignant representation of its overall narrative.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of heavy riffs and atmospheric melodies creates a unique sound that stands out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower, more atmospheric pieces.
- Several tracks utilize layered guitar harmonies that create a dense, immersive soundscape, particularly in 'Gone' and 'Nerve'.
- The album includes an instrumental track that serves as a bridge between two heavier songs, allowing for a moment of reflection before the intensity resumes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with emotional peaks
- introspective moments of despair
- melancholic melodies for reflection
- suitable for late-night solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat and energetic tracks
- prefer standalone catchy singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked a shift in sound that established Katatonia's reputation in gothic metal.
- Career context
- Released on April 27, 1998, Discouraged Ones marked Katatonia's artistic shift from their earlier death-doom sound to a more melodic and atmospheric style. This album followed their critically acclaimed 1996 release, The Great Cold Distance, and showcased a maturation in songwriting and emotional depth during a pivotal time in their career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anathema· Opeth· Paradise Lost
Tracklist
- 1 I Break Start here 4:21
- 2 Stalemate 4:18
- 3 Deadhouse 4:35
- 4 Relention 3:36
- 5 Cold Ways 5:20
- 6 Gone 2:47
- 7 Last Resort 4:35
- 8 Nerve 4:30
- 9 Saw You Drown 5:02
- 10 Instrumental 2:50
- 11 Distrust 4:55
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Judgement
Anathema
Shares a similar melancholic atmosphere and introspective themes of emotional isolation.
The Dreadful Hours
My Dying Bride
Equally heavy riffs and dark melodies that explore despair and personal anguish.
Blackwater Park
Opeth
Combines progressive elements with a haunting atmosphere and deep emotional narratives.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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