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Catamenia > Winternight Tragedies > Reviews
Catamenia - Winternight Tragedies

Fast, frantic and among their best work - 89%

Dr_Funf, April 26th, 2023

2005's Winternight Tragedies was something of a landmark album for Catamenia as it was their first without lead vocalist and co-founder Mika Tönning, as well as original bassist Timo Lehtinen, leaving co-founder and lead guitarist Riku Hopeakoski as the only remaining original member of the band. Thankfully, Hopeakoski and his remaining crew were more than determined to continue, or else they would never have produced an album as good as Winternight Tragedies.

Olli-Jukka Mustonen and Miko Hepo-Oja stepped in to replace their longstanding predecessors on vocals and bass, respectively. Tönning's departure disappointed fans, but Mustonen was an excellent choice to replace, delivering a similarly-impressive icy black metal rasp. Is his style unique? No, but that's no concern to anyone when it's exactly what your band needs. Hepo-Oja is also a notable recruitment as, although he left about a year later, he rejoined the group in 2010 and still remains in the band to this day.

The opening track, 'Heart of Darkness', wastes no time in introducing the listener to what to expect from Winternight Tragedies. High tempos, rapid tremolo-picked guitars, blast beat drums and atmospheric keyboards, to which Mustonen's powerful rasps and Hopeakoski's memorable riffs provide the perfect focal points. Longstanding fans will note the more aggressive, up-front approach Catamenia favoured during this era, as the more ethereal nature and occasional folk elements of their earliest work had long since been left behind by this point. Following track 'Verikansa' is the one original song on the album to divert from formula, somewhat, being set to a more mid-tempo pace and featuring a singalong chorus that sees most of the band jump on backing vocals. As a result, it's one of the album's highlights.

In general, though, Winternight Tragedies runs through at a consistently blistering pace. Hopeakoski once again displays his ear for catchy riffs and hooks, as evidenced in songs such as 'Kaamos Warrior' and 'The Ancient'. Co-producer Kari Vahakuopus returns for the second album running to provide clean vocals, which add to the quality and atmosphere of 'The Crystal Stream' and 'My Blood Stained Path', among others. And speaking of the production, Vahakuopus and co-producer Immu Ilmarinen have done an excellent job here. Winternight Tragedies is crisper and more polished that any of Catamenia's previous albums, but at the same time retains the frost-bitten sound that so defines the group's work. It sounds really, really great. Additionally, the artwork is (as has always been the case with Catamenia) quite excellent indeed; their usual themes of wolves and winter once more on display.

That's not to say this is a perfect album, however. The songs are all solid enough to stand out on their own, so the record never really sounds 'samey' or anything in that regard. But follow-up album Location: COLD, released just a year later with the same lineup minus Hepo-Oja, proved that Catamenia were capable of a wider variety of songs without diverting from formula. Winternight Tragedies was also the point where Catamenia began unnecessarily ending each record with a cover song that, more often than not, felt out of place. It's certainly the case here, as the album closes with a cover of Satyricon's 'Fuel For Hatred', which just feels like an uninvited guest gatecrashing the wrong party. It's not a bad cover, but it doesn't belong here.

Overall, Winternight Tragedies is one of the better records from a band that has never quite received the attention they deserve. The first of two top quality albums by a new-look lineup that sadly did not last anywhere near as long as it should have. Catamenia's more melodic take on black metal and aversion to the more notorious aspects of metal's most infamous sub-genre are still unlikely to win over many critics of the style, but if you like high-pitched vocals, mid-range tremelo guitar riffs, atmospheric keyboards, and high-tempo songs, you would do well to pick this up.

Recommended tracks - 'Verikansa', 'My Blood-Stained Path', 'The Ancient'

Second In Command - 87%

OzzyApu, January 1st, 2013
Written based on this version: 2005, CD, Massacre Records

Catamenia's switch to a new harsh vocalist also forged themselves in their new sound: power metal-like harmonies and melodic death aggression with black metal spite. Stronger compositional concord was the reigning formula. Winternight Tragedies is the culmination of these elements fused into a tight core amidst a revolving door line-up. All that trouble and the band managed to create their most powerful album since the debut.

The opener is like a blitzkrieg of frostbite riffs and Kalmah influences, while the second is more like a Moonsorrow song with the elevated, sing-song, gang-style clean / harsh vocals. Very uplifting, as is such throughout the album's duration. This combination of viciousness with up-tempo, straightforward songs makes this easy to get into without becoming too sappy. Synths are typically used to drive the melody and provide that coating of atmosphere, but it yields to the guitars to compel. From the swift tremolo frenzies to the memorable chord progressions, Catamenia honed their skills to produce something more vibrant than before.

The production is better than any prior Catamenia album, providing a crystalline sharpness and retaining the wintry resonance the band wanted. The mixing is fantastic between the grumbling bass, drum assaults, incisive guitars, and cut-throat harsh vocals. Mustonen's style can't be called original, but it's acute, ruthless, and well-balanced alongside the ruggedness and harmonies packed in this album. Topping this Finnish-manipulated formula of melodic black metal is "Perintö Pohjolan" and "The Ancient." Simply put, if you enjoy Kalmah's raucousness, then these two ambitious, proficient executions of the same style are the leaders of the charge.

Fast, fierce, and harmonic are defining traits of Catamenia's Winternight Tragedies. It's safe to call this their most spirited era, as they attained a sound that left behind their previous era without looking back. This short-lived phase Catamenia underwent defines the band greater than any of their albums between this and the debut. To top this, the band would need to take the ideas here and enhance them to reach a momentous plateau.

Winternight Triumphant - 82%

cweed, July 10th, 2007

Comfortable with the sound they acheived on their last album, Catamenia continue this expoloration of extremely melodic black metal with reckless abandon. All the ingredients are here- icy, majestic keyboards, biting guitars, rasping vocals, gang vocals, hummable melodies (which this album has absolutely not shortage of; EVERY SONG is catchy as fuck), polite guitar solos, guitar harmonies, great production quality, you name a melodic BM cliche (or a Finnish metal cliche in general), it's here folks.

At this point, it's pretty clear that Catamenia aren't stellar musicians- not to say that they're bad musicians by any means, but there's not much on the album to suggest that the band are ever really pushing themselves to the next level musicially. However, there are a couple curveballs- "Verikansa" is somewhat different than the rest of the songs on the album, as it makes an excellent drinking song...for the most part, it's not very fast like most of the other songs, and it has an incredibly upbeat chorus that will have you cracking open a cold one and chanting along with the band instantly. The second curveball would be the band covering Satyricon's "Fuel for Hatred"... honestly, it's really not a bad cover, but I have no idea why the hell they felt the need to not only learn the song, but include it on the album. I could understand maybe busting out the song live, but on an actual album? Kind of out of place...covers usually show a different side of a band, but when it's a melodic BM band covering a BM band going more melodic, it really doesn't do a whole lot for me.

However, needless to say these two oddball tracks are beside the point; if you're a Catamenia fan, then I assure you that you'll enjoy this album immensely. One would think that by recording with a new singer and bass player, the album would sound maybe KIND OF different, but no- Winternight Tragedies is pretty much exactly the same as Chaos Born, and I'm sure that the band's next album is going to sound just like this album as well.


So, in conclusion: do I like this album? Yes, i found it quite enjoyable. However, do I wish Catamenia would mature as a band and perhaps put themselves out there more by taking more chances musically? Of course! Bottom line? Catamenia, quit playing it safe and then perhaps you might get the respect you deserve!

Awesome Melodic & Black Blend - 92%

ict1523, June 16th, 2006

A lot of people seem to not really like Catamenia. I like their blend of melodies and some black metal. While they seem less black metal now, then their first few albums, they still sound very good. Some people also criticize their music for being very simple, well you know what? I don't give a shit. I've said it before, I don't care how simple or complex the music is. As long as it sounds good I just don't care.

The album starts off with "The Heart of Darkness". This is a fairly good song, and definitely a good opener since it gives you a feel of what the rest of the album will be. It is fast, the vocals are really great, the riffs are pretty repetitive here and that takes a bit away from the song, however the vocals are great. They sound really harsh and raspy here. There are also a bit of clean vocals.

"Verikansa" has a much more Viking feel to it for some reason. Maybe its because the song starts off with people shouting and fighting. Then we get a really great riff that sounds almost victorious probably because its a bit more high-pitched, joyful, and comes in when the people are still screaming. The riffs are very addictive here, and both the verses and choruses are great. The vocals are still harsh and raspy however the riffs really do make you feel a bit happier. The solo at the end is a great one and rather rare since Catamenia don't have too many of them. The one negative about this song is while its great it really doesn't fit in as the rest of the album is much deeper and sadder.

"Strength and Honor" is another more boring song, it is also slower paced. There really isn't anything different structure-wise to this song, it just doesn't really get me. The riffs aren't as interesting, they kind of meander around, and they're very repetitive. The vocals are pretty good, but sound a bit forced at times. The chorus does save the song though, as the riffs change a bit, and the vocals are pretty good with many screams being stretched out a bit to last longer.

"The Crystal Stream" is one of the best songs on here. It starts off fast right away with a great riff. The verses are pretty good, with good vocals and drumming, however the best part comes during the choruses. We have a guitar solo along with vocals and shouts in the background and great as well as loud drumming. Catamenia often likes to do that. Its rare to get a whole very addictive song, however, they insert some verses and choruses which are just unforgetable.

"Kaamos Warrior" is another good song. We have a little guitar solo right at the beginning which is a nice way to bring your hopes up for the song. The riffs for the rest of the song are fairly decent, but the vocals seem like they're in the background here during parts of the song which isn't that good as it doesn't make them sound excellent like they are through most of the album. The riffs and drums though do sound very nice together.

"My Blood Stained Path" is an addictive song. The beginning starts off with some great riffs which almost sound like they're bouncing as they go from high to low pitched. The vocals here are great, they sound strong without being forced. Can't complain about the chorus though, once again, has a pretty good melody, except its faster than the rest of the song and with the vocals it matches really good. Later on there is another great part with the guitar riffs in the background as well as a voice shouting...well almost whining, except here it sounds good, with the vocals being the main thing...and it blends in so well together. While the song is a bit repetitive, those two things I mentioned before do make up for it.

"Perintoe Pohjolan" starts off with a very short drum intro and then explodes with guitars and more great drumming. The vocals are fast and strong on this song as well. This one is a great song because it has the same mood as the others, but manages to stay a little different that the rest which adds more variety, mainly because of its faster tempo.

"Iced Over" starts off with a great riff and some great bombastic drums. I also like how at the end of a riff, the guitar often gives a nice little high pitched sound. The riffs repeat for a bit until it changes towards the middle with some clean vocals which make this almost sound like Wintersun for a bit with the synths in the background. Then we get the drums, and it goes back to its original and much faster melody.

"The Ancient" starts off with a nice and dark riff. The song starts off fast, although the riffs slow down towards 0:35. This is good because the lyrics are sung much slower and you can really enjoy the screams at the end of a line. And it doesn't get boring because the chorus has much faster riffs. This gives the song much more variety. A little after the 2 minute mark, the song picks up a ton of speed again and we have some really great vocals that race along with the riffs before another slowdown. Truly awesome and lengthy song by Catamenia standards.

"Fuel for Hatred" is a Satyricon cover, which is really the only useless song on this album. Mainly because it is a shitty song to begin with, and secondly because it is done faster, which takes away what little essence the song had in the first place. This Satyricon song was basically a very mainstream punk sounding song, and Catamenia's version takes even that away. The song almost has no feeling in it.

Overall this is a great album with some great moments which is the reason this album gets a 92. The great moments kind of make up for the more boring moments, and definitely for the Satyricon cover. The riffs here may be simplistic, but they're fast, addictive, and blend in excellently with the terrific drumming and great vocals.