October Tide is a side project by Katatonia members Jonas Renkse and Fredrik Norrman. Released by the small Vic Records label that also released Katatonia's debut Mcd, we are served something that reminds me a great deal of earlier Katatonia. Jonas still uses his old grunt/screaming style and the music has that typical Katatonia feel from around the period of 'Dance of December Souls'.
The difference between October Tide and Katatonia however, is that the music is a lot less rash and more open for experimentation. As such we get treated to for example a violin! But the music is by far not as mellow as on the later Katatonia albums and can still best be compared to 'Dance of December Souls' or 'Brave Murder Day'.
The best way would be to think of what would happen if the old Katatonia had decided to experiment more, bringing greater diversion into their sound; old Katatonia with a twist. As such this is a must for anybody longing for the old days and sound of Katatonia.