BREATHING

I've seen PAATOS described as Art Rock meets Post-Rock to Cinematic Rock but whatever name tags you want to throw at these guys know for certain that this is Swedish melancholia at it's best. The clear and pure voice of Petronella is the focus as usual and she just continues to impress me. The one thing I kept thinking while listening to this album was how well these songs would go over in a live setting.

"Gone" stands out for me because it reminds me of THE GATHERING when Anneke sang for them. Just a killer intro with bass as the sound explodes with vocals. It settles back but the contrasts do continue. Killer drumming late in this powerful opener. "Fading Out" is also powerful in it's own way and I like the guitar expressions. "Shells" features strummed guitar before it kicks in with vocals. Lots of depth and atmosphere as usual. Check out the vocal melodies 3 1/2 minutes in. "In That Room" has a dark atmosphere to start. Vocals and a beat before 1 1/2 minutes and chunky bass 3 1/2 minutes in. "Andrum" has lots of atmosphere, piano and more.

"No More Rollercoaster" has a nice drum intro then vocals before a minute. Some huge bass lines as well. The guitar after 3 1/2 minutes is inventive. "Breathing" has an experimental intro then it kicks in after a minute. Vocals follow. Powerful sound before 4 minutes then the vocals return. "Smartan" opens with atmosphere and sparse piano as dreamy vocals join in. Drums follow in this powerful track. "Surrounded" and the next two songs are my least favourites. This song is still good though especially late. "Ploing, My Friend" is a very short piece that sounds like toy piano or something. "Precious" is laid back with vocals. It's okay. "Over And Out" ends the album in style. The bass and drums are killer. A much better song than the previous three.

An solid 4 stars from me.