I used to like this album a lot more, unfortunately, I now find that this album is plagued by poor sounding drums (there's no "oomph" where there should be, probably a result of them being programmed), really sub-par vocals (they often sound like whining), and overall boring song composition. The song Open Wound, which I would have called one of my favorite songs ever a few months ago, is far too repetitive for how uninteresting it is. The one factor of the two FoS full lengths that doesn't make my score lower, is the emotion that is poured all over the music.

I'm seriously surprised that Alex dislikes this.

Anyway, I have spun this album many times and everything about it is awesome. The sound this album has to it is one of its best aspects: a unique take on (melodic) death doom that doesn't sound like anything else I've heard, due to the great sorrowful/emotional atmosphere. The vocals are also superb, both the cleans and growls. Most of the songs are long yet they still remain interesting all the way through.

Yep, this guy is seriously great. Ordered his 2nd album a while ago, which has yet to arrive...

One of my first doom metal albums ever Oh my, that was 10 years ago! I'm getting old

Yeah, the drums aren't recorded well and the clean vocals have suck-potential but oh my god who cares? The overall music is so good and the mood is just perfection. I'm going to listen now! Time to walk down memory lane.

Despite the mediocre vocals, I still think this is a very good doom metal album that focuses on conveying the emotions. Although, I wouldn't go as far as Erik saying that it doesn't sound like any other doom metal band. It's just that Departure has some blackish moments that help to provide some feeling of freshness to the music.
My favourites: November Dream, Open Wound, Departure.

P.S. The cover of Rainroom that is present on the 2009 reissue sounds just like Katatonia, but with slightly worse sound.

This is a nice album, it is certainly worth a spin if you are into atmospheric doom.
It takes off quite promising in the first couple of minutes. Beautiful approach at creating atmosphere and building up an own kind of tension.
Unfortunately, after a while, I feel that this tension fades out. And what remains is a suspection that something is wrong with this album.
What is it...? Maybe the vocals, obviously the drumming. I also dont quite like the overall production very much, it feels a bit too technical, at times even slightly industrial.
What else is wrong...? Hhhm, honestly I dont really remember well. Maybe that is the problem.
I guess the album overall is even a bit boring, imo. At least it is quite repetitive over a large part (Open Wound comes to mind).
And that is too unfortunate, since the initial idea of the approach is so convincing.
But hey, obviously, this is just me...

This is good long album, but not as demo, There are slow, even pop, post elements, calmer vocals. There are reason I hate new Katatonia, but this band has a bit unwonted elements. They create ,. feelings, atmosphere, still good. But I have flicker of doubt about future of good doom ... so far I like this.