Avantgarde Music has become a label of sorts synonymous with releasing amazing metal music. I personally don't own a disc released by Avantgarde that doesn't have excellent packaging, a quality band, and of course excellent music. And the latest release by Katatonia is (obviously) no different. Most people interested will obviously know who Katatonia are, the band itself is a legend of sorts, and of course one of the most respected in the modern metal scene. "Brave Murder Day" is Katatonia's most recent CD (not including the split 10" with the Gael's Primordial) and if you ask me, they're very finest. Mike from Opeth makes a guest appearance on vocals here, and to tell you the truth, his lowered screams bring the music to a whole new level. Coupled with his amazing vocals, the music created here is VERY painful/melencholic sounding, the sort of music a person should only listen to during certain emotional times. The opening track "Brave" is most respectfully one of Katatonia's finest songs ever, epic (at 10 minutes) yet the feelings it invokes through the near perfect main riff are unbelievable. There truly is not ONE flaw throughout this entire song, that is boredom doesn't hit you like it may on certain other tracks. Another great song is the final track "Endtime" which slowly builds itself up to a heart-wrenching atmospheric riff, and a truly amazing riff it is. One also has to mention the very sorrow filled riffing in track two, "Murder"; it sounds almost distant because of it's heavy atmospheric feel....just great really. The only song that disappointed me was "Day". Remember that game played on Sesame Street, "Which one of these doesn't belong"?, well this song doesn't quite fit in with the others. It's an almost "bubbly" track, very pop-ish, and although somewhat depressive to listen to, ends up being fairly silly. Other than that, we're treated to fourty plus minutes of what can be considered musical genius. I truly hope the break-up rumours which plague this band aren't true, and that we shall all be treated to many a release in the future. This sort of excellent music is hard to find nowadays, and more of it is required to make this scene even somewhat worthwhile in the future.

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