There are some bands whose record label uses EP’s just to get the tracks they didn’t care for in stores to make money. Then there are bands who have the choice to release their B-sides because for whatever reason they didn’t make the full length release but would still like to get the tracks out there for their fans. After the release of Last Fair Deal Gone Down, an alternative record that has no right to be as good as it is, two singles were put out, meaning two EP’s would follow.
In an interview with Anders Nystrom he said this time around it was very hard to pick which songs to cut from the record, and they ended taking out his favorite song, Sulfur. It’s the longest song he’s written since they changed their sound, clocking in at six and a half minutes. The track crescendos with acoustics for the first couple minutes, then explodes to a signature melancholy jam, returning to softer tones for the verses, and so on. It was smart to keep it off the album because it would stand out way too much, but just makes the EP all the more exclusive.
March 4 is a pretty dark and heavy song in comparison and with Daniel Liljekvist’s passion for smashing the crap out of his cymbals it makes the song that much more of a punch. The way he arranges his accents throughout the track and continuously evolves the drum beats to be more and more intricate is the reason this is a standout track, and a big help in making Jonas’ vocals more intense.
With Teargas being a live fan favorite, the B-sides on the EP are sure to find their way into the live set. Yet, it is now hard to find a hard copy, but Katatonia released the two extra tracks on their second compilation, The Black Sessions, plus that comes with a live DVD with fifteen songs, so it’s definitely worth it if you’re a fan of the band, or especially if you want a way to start getting into the band. The Teargas EP is nothing more than a lollipop to chew on until the next album, so make it last…until the second EP…(cliffhanger)
