I wrote for my Discouraged Ones review that it was my favorite Katatonia album, so I can’t help but be let down by a weaker offering when I wanted more of that same short-lived heavy gothic style. All Katatonia albums have some goth influence, but it’s felt the strongest on Tonight’s Decision and Discouraged Ones. Jonas Renske is using more of his natural singing voice here instead of aping Robert Smith of The Cure, which is a good development in the band finding its own identity even though the impersonation was cool for one album.

Tonight’s Decision basically trades fast and heavy hooks for slower, atmospheric ones. Not a bad idea to do something different, but few of these hooks excite the mind and most are just pleasant ambiance. There’s moments of greatness, like with “For My Demons,” “In Death, a Song,” and “Nightmares by the Sea,” which are essential Katatonia tunes, but most is just vaguely satisfying for a fan, ambiance for a rainy night when you don’t want to think too much. It’s still Katatonia.