Release date: 18th January 2019
Want to know what I said almost as soon as I started listening to Remain In Stasis for the first time? “That new album from Marc Durkee almost fills the void in my heart that formed when Katatonia went on hiatus. Almost.” Taking into account the fact that Katta are one of my all-time favourite bands…well, I think that says it all about how good this album is.
All comparisons aside, Remain In Stasis has a stunning melancholic vibe and it’s an album that will give you goosebumps. The music is absolutely crushing, with a perfect balance between heaviness and melody, and the vocals are brimming with colour and emotion – and when coupled together, it makes for a winning combination. The tracks are all well-constructed, with massive and memorable hooks, and subsequently it results in a piece you’ll just keep wanting to come back to.
You already know the album is going to be good as soon as you hit the play button, but it’s with the second track A Way To Escape that you realise this is something special. As well as it featuring a vocal line that is such an earworm you’ll be singing along almost immediately, the track just has a magical quality. There’s an underlying darkness to the track alongside the lighter, gentler melodies on the surface, and it gives the song some extra bite as a result. Additionally, another nice touch is the guitar solo at the end following the same melody as the vocals in the chorus – it really helps the track stay with you long after you’ve finished listening to it.
Later track The Mind Flayer is another highlight. One of the heavier tracks, the vocals borderline on the harsh side at times, coupling up with crushing riffs and thundering drums, and it helps to give the album variety. It means that the listener can never be too sure of what’s around the corner, keeping them on their toes, and what’s especially good is the fact that the track following it is one of the softest and most melodic tracks of Remain In Stasis. With a much more stripped-back approach to the instrumentation, the two pieces juxtapose well against each other and showcase the album’s variety.
Remain In Stasis is an absolutely massive-sounding album, with a special sparkle to it that makes it stand out from the crowd. If you like your music dark, melodic and brimming with emotion, then this is one for you.
9/10
