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The Stockholm, Sweden based group Paatos takes their name from the Greek work “pathos”—with an extra a thrown in for “visual effect.”  Paatos latest Inside Out Music America project is titled Kallocain, a name taken from a science fiction novel by Swedish author Karin Boye.  The album’s theme revolves around a utopian society.  The songs stand on their own however, and concept seems more a general theme than a linear story line.  It should be noted that like other Swedish progressive artists (The Flower Kings, Kaipa, and Ritual) the lyrics are in English.

Fans of sophisticated progressive music (ala’ King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead) will enjoy this alluring and hypnotic work.  Porcupine Tree fans (especially fans of their watermark release In Absentia) should consider this a must buy—Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree mixed the CD. The dramatic use of the mellotron and other trance-like touches will remind the listener of (but not copy) Porcupine Tree, and to fans this will be a very good thing. 

The music is charged with melancholic atmosphere dreamily highlighted by the innocent vocals of Petronella Nettermalm (somewhat reminiscent of Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer, Anita Robinson of Viva Voce, or even Bjork).  Luscious mellotron and synth washes paint a rich sonic tapestry.  This is a band that is musically adept, and several songs (especially “Stream” and “Won’t Be Coming Back”) feature magnetic instrumental passages. 

Samples of the tracks are available here.

Check out Paatos on the web here: http://www.paatos.com/

Kallocain will be available in the US on June 8, 2004.

Barry Nothstine  6/8/2004