It’s time to stop the doomscrolling! The man, the myth, the legend is here. You wouldn’t believe how excited I was when I got the promo for Thy Catafalque’s XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek (Satan, help me with this title!). No project sounds quite like this one. That’s the paradox of Thy Catafalque—you never know what you’re getting, yet you kind of do. Am I making sense? Probably not. I’ve been a fan since Rengeteg and loved almost everything since. But surpassing Alföld, which was album-of-the-year material, is a massive task. Let’s dive in!
First off, XII retains the playful style that’s been present since Naiv. It’s fascinating how Thy Catafalque can blend emotional and cultural depth while remaining wildly engaging. This album is another surreal journey through Avant-Garde, Prog, and Black Metal, with heavy doses of Hungarian Folk. The secret? Phenomenal songwriting. Honestly, this could work in any genre, but thankfully, Tamás Kátai has chosen Metal as his canvas. XII keeps you on your toes with its track-to-track unpredictability, yet delivers a cohesive experience, balancing emotional peaks and valleys. That interplay is what keeps you hooked.
A hallmark of a solid Avant-Garde or Prog album? Successfully incorporating trumpets, trombones, or saxophones without losing its Metal edge—a tough feat, but Thy Catafalque nails it. The album feels divided: the first half is heavy and dynamic, while the latter leans more into Folk and atmospheric elements. Fortunately, this transition is gradual, preserving the album’s pacing. With a staggering 27 guest musicians, it’s a colorful sonic feast in the hands of a master chef. I could listen to the first four tracks on repeat before even thinking about moving forward.
Now, what didn’t work? Honestly, I’m more positive than someone on antidepressants right now! (No, I’m not on drugs…yet.) That said, the tempo shifts around “Vaknod” and “Kodkirály” threw me off a bit, though the album regains its footing by the final tracks. You also have to be ready for a level of eclecticism that I don’t think most Metalheads are prepared for. Not to mention that in some ways, the album feels like Alföld 2.0 (that could be good though!). Overall, Thy Catafalque’s idiosyncrasies remain intact—embrace the weirdness!
While many Prog and Avant-Garde acts (cough Opeth, Leprous cough) have watered down their sound, Thy Catafalque stays bold, much like Ihsahn. As Dark Tranquillity once said, “It was solid, yet everchanging; it was different, yet the same”. After 20+ years, Tamás still has lessons to share. Next time your knees ache, remember: you’ve still got something to give.
Label: Season of Mist
Release date: 15 November, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thycatafalque
Country: Hungary
Score: a colorful 4.0/5.0!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 