Katatonia – Nightmares As Extensions Of The Waking State
Review By: George Andritsakis
Review Score: 9
Swedish Progressive Goth Metallers Katatonia are back with a MASSIVE new album, aptly titled Nightmares As Extensions Of The Waking State. Never mind that it sounds more like the title of a Ph.D. thesis in Med School, this latest offering by the gloomy Swedes is jam packed with an intensive playlist straight from the deepest, darkest corners of hopeful despair, lovingly put to brooding, haunting music.
The first single Wind Of No Change is a plodding, dark tune that has been a beautiful addition to my playlist that plays on in the night whilst one sleeps. Think of it like something Dream Theater would come out with, if they were evil…or from Scandinavia. Utterly ethereal and beautiful to a fault.
The other tracks that are sheer notables include album opener Thrice, which is as straightforward a churner as Katatonia can do. No filler, all killer with a driving backbeat that causes one to headbang psychosomatically. The Liquid Eye, showcasing Jonas Renkse’s penchant for whimsical vocal acrobatics, Lilac, one of the most melodic tunes I’ve ever had the pleasure of wrapping my ear canals around, something about the entire track, from Renkse’s vocals to Nico & Sebastian’s axe work, and the never ended rhythm make this one of the bigger standout tunes thus far.
Now my personal favorite, Departure Trails, is kind of like a goth’s vision of The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” turned dark. Warden, in what almost sounds like a plea of release from a dementia-riddled mind, or after the onset of Alzheimer’s. To the Swedish sung Efter Solen, with its ethereal lyrics and heavy electronica vibe, all help make this a one of Katatonia’s strongest, most unforgettable releases, and released on my birthday, no less. Now THAT’S a birthday present!
You think after thirty-four years a band would be resting on their laurels, but not Katatonia. They were always on my radar, and I knew and enjoyed several tracks in their past discography, but this was the first album of theirs I was able to sit for a full playthrough and enjoy just about every single minute of airplay. The new guitarists, Nico Elgstrand and Sebastian Svalland take over for the recently departed founding guitarist/composer Anders Nystrom and do a fantastic job of picking up where Anders left off, albeit having not composed any of the music on the last few albums.
Is every tune on Nightmares a pure banger or sweet melody? No, this IS Katatonia after all, that being said, out of the last few albums that I’ve been into them, Nightmares has the least amount of filler, as if to say, the new additions to the group are a breath of badly needed fresh air, and are here to stay. Comparisons to a darker and heavier Depeche Mode get floated around, and I definitely hear it, albeit with a far darker, grittier, razors edge of pain thrown into the album.
One thing is for sure though. Katatonia have been around for a long time, and they will continue being a part of the metal scene for decades to come. Their style and groove might not vary wildly, but that’s one of the aspects to their gothic charm.
Genre: Progressive Metal, Gothic
Label: Napalm Records
Release Date: June 6, 2025.
Playlist:
1. Thrice
2. The Liquid Eye
3. Wind of no Change
4. Lilac
5. Temporal
6. Departure Trails
7. Warden
8. The Light Which I Bleed
9. Efter Solen (Swedish Vocals)
10. In the Event of
Lineup:
Vocals: Jonas Renkse
Guitars: Nico Elgstrand, Sebastian Svalland
Bass: Niklas Sandin
Drums: Daniel Moilanen