Renowned Swedish masters of melancholic heaviness Katatonia are offering solace to the loyal acolytes traveling through the vast dystopian soundscapes of the new album “Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State” guided by wisdom and eternal gloom.
“Thrice” spontaneously brings forth a proggy rhythmic core highlighting the band’s extraordinary musicianship and within a sea of cruel emotions guitars keep on floating with colossal riffs and elegant leads.
The grand theatrical flair beginning of “Wind of no Change” naturally leads to a contemplative melodic ensemble enhanced by the particularly obscure guitar tonalities and ultimately complemented by Jonas’ charismatic vocals.
“Temporal” wisely intertwines moments of impeccable rhythmic clarity, see how the drums carefully build a groovy rhythmic tension, and immersive melodic passages inevitably evoking grim feelings.
“Departure Trails” continues to explore an intense emotional spectrum as the soothing vocal delivery is rightfully emphasized by abundant darkly poetic guitar leads and mellow luminous keyboards.
Filled with a solemn atmospheric gloom and mystifying melodic waves “The Light Which I Bleed” reveals an intricate composition focusing on challenging rhythmic variations that obviously show an impressive technical guitar style.
To bring closure “In the Event of” spellbinds you with an endless melodic melancholia as the refined guitar phrases and the hypnotizing solo flow gently through futuristic multilayered atmospheric arrangements.
“Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State” seems the legit opus to celebrate Jonas Renkse’s sonic vision in constant evolution to perfectly shape a more personal style that can distinguish Katatonia from any other artist.