Album Review: Katakomba – Katakomba (Redefining Darkness Records)

Formed in 2016, Katakomba is made up of young Swedish death metal fanatics from Stockholm. Since their inception, the band have released a handful of digital singles as well as an EP back in 2019 entitled, All Goes Dark.

Now it’s time for their self-titled debut full length album, proof the Swedish scene is far from stale. It will be released on July 29th, 2022 via Redefining Darkness Records.

The blackened heart of Swedish death metal continues to beat heavily when bands like Katakomba exist. Crushing all those who doubt underfoot, this album is a brash blast of brutality. Katakomba pulling absolutely no punches as they swing their fists with complete disregard for anyone or anything that stands in their way.

They have the musical chops to make impact too, the nine tracks of this self-titled release are beyond ferocious. It’s not just Katakomba either as they bring in an array of guests to help with some guitar solos and vocal performances. One such example being Tomas Åkvik on the track Embalmed in Concrete, a nasty slab of death metal.

The overall product is one of rage, unbridled and dangerous rage, and as controlled as it might seem, there’s this sense that Katakomba are just willing puppets to the savagery.

It is worth mentioning too that, while the focus is certainly on the basis that the album is a true and welcome reflection of the modern Swedish death metal scene, it’s not the only reason to be excited about it. Katakomba are a talented bunch and that is reflected in how varied the album is. How they utilise genre-defying elements to craft something that is undeniably ruthless but has layers of heavy.

A killer release.

Katakomba – Katakomba Full Track Listing:

1. Damnatio Ad Bestias
2. Katakomba
3. Tomb of the Desecrated
4. Sacrifice
5. Skärseld
6. Worship Death
7. Embalmed in Concrete
8. Death Opus
9. Left for the Vultures to Feed

Links

Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Redefining Darkness Records