Metalcatto
Here at MER, we’re diehard fans of Thy Catafalque. Not many projects have managed to remain so strange, creative, and unapologetically loyal to themselves over the last few decades. You never really know what you’re going to get from this man, but somehow, the formula is always there. So, with nothing but high expectations, I approach XIII: Sága edó. It would be a shame if this thing disappointed me harder than the current state of world politics, right?
Well, I kind of set you up there, because I honestly can’t quite figure out what XIII is going for. It’s one of the most eclectic works in Thy Catafalque‘s repertoire, which is saying something. It’s difficult to find anything genuinely bad in this project’s catalogue, but that also makes comparisons all the more challenging. XIII feels like an album of two halves. The first leans heavily towards Folk and experimental territories, while the second gives us more of what we came for: those Rengeteg-era riffs that destroyed our souls all those years ago. And yes, that’s probably still my favourite album in this brilliant discography.
There are plenty of guests here, one more talented than the next. As a result, we get a collection of tracks with distinct personalities, directions, and musical identities. The vocal arrangements deserve particular attention, especially when compared to something like Naiv. In a way, we’re travelling through the entire history of Thy Catafalque, eventually reaching an epic display of musical talent and experimentation. And yet, something kept me feeling slightly uneasy throughout the experience.
Perhaps it’s the length or the overall pacing, but XIII feels like it could have done with one or two fewer tracks, particularly among the more interlude-like compositions. At times, the musical exploration takes priority over the actual songwriting, and we don’t get the kind of focused, immersive experience that some of the project’s previous releases offered. I understand the desire to experiment and try new things (oh, wait, you like extreme Metal!), but a tighter, more concise approach might have made this a considerably more memorable experience.
Having said that, Thy Catafalque remains one of the boldest, most adventurous, and downright strangest acts in our Metalsphere. XIII might not be the project’s finest achievement, but it adds another fascinating chapter to an already ridiculously diverse catalogue. Few artists have done as much to define the possibilities of Avant-Garde Black Metal. We should all aspire to be this creative, even if the rest of the world doesn’t always understand us! Now, can someone please explain how this dude manages to be so damn productive? Jeez!
Label: Season Of Mist
Release date: November 20th, 2026
Website: https://thycatafalque.bandcamp.com/
Country: Hungary
Score: 3.5/5.0
