Review Summary: Gleaming not fading
Some artists are impossible to confuse for others. In many ways this is what art is – an expression of self. The artist Tamás Kátai and his vessel Thy Catafalque first captured my attention with his sprawling 2016 masterwork “Meta” which in my mind was a near perfect avant-garde black metal opus.
Subsequent records have seen consistently strong output but even with such a distinguished form line could I have anticipated such a moving release this deep into a discography as “XII: A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek” (translation “Sweet Dreams Come Next”).
Who else could start an album in the same fashion as “Piros Kocsi, Fekete Éj” with its swirling folk melody rung in by female vocal harmonies. No one but Kátai. Infused is a warm charm that resonates instantly and carries through by the guitar tones and cameo keyboard effects. Linked by acoustic guitars into “Mindenevö”, a dark cloud forms before bursting with blackened aggression complete with blast beats and later ominous chanting vocals. Contrast upon contrast ensues but these shifts are sublime resulting in the first inkling of something special at hand. This is keenly felt in the final third where softer keyboards and contrabass eerily round out the song.
It is a barrage before beauty approach used again in “Vasgyár” which works on many levels, largely due to its powerful initial effect before switching to another mesmerizing psychedelic passage led by driving guitars and flashes of violin. Although only Hungarian speakers will derive meaning from the lyrics, these songs transcend languages, its appeal both universal and unique. We have weighty progressive metal with great guitar playing and song craft as a cornerstone, but the real edge is the contributions from no less than 27 ! guest (folk) musicians. This would be nigh impossible for other artists to coordinate but director Kátai has excelled and in my view eclipsed previous Thy Catafalque records.
The run of “Nyárfa, Nyirfa”, “Lydiához” and “Vakond” add distinct touches, soundscapes you just do not hear from other metal based acts. The trading of Gábor Dudás' singing with saxophone in “Nyárfa, Nyirfa” is followed by the wildly interesting folk ode “Lydiához” with “Vakond” going even further with acoustic guitars melding with synthesisers and brass instruments in a riveting instrumental track. If I had to provide comparisons it would be to Opeth’s “In Cauda Venenum” or more recently Dødheimsgard’s “Black Medium Current”. But this surpasses both as repeat listens enables appreciation of this tapestry.
Of the 10 tracks, it could be that “Ködkiraly” is the most profound. Everything I love in music. A beautiful passage of female vocals bounded by rich keys and Binary Sunset horns that later juxtaposes with an extreme doomy heaviness that renders it completely niche, for metal enthusiasts only. Notwithstanding the multitude of influences and contributions, the record achieves a cohesiveness as reflected in “Aláhullás” before the enrapturing closing title track, an infectious danceable folk ditty, a parting gift of upbeat energy.
“XII: A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek” sees boundaries getting ever widened and the variety of sounds and cultures ever broadened. Acts like Thy Catafalque are visionaries for metal and long may the intrepid plough forth.
