Album Review: Thy Catafalque – XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek (Season of Mist)

Tamás Kátai, the visionary behind the avant-garde project that is Thy Catafalque, continues to push the boundaries of metal music with this latest release. Called ‘XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek’, Thy Catafalque’s twelfth album is tied both to its mastermind’s past and the history of his native Hungary. Hence the album being named after after the stretch of land where the producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist was born in southeast Hungary.

XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek will be released on November 15th, 2024, via Season of Mist.

I, like so many others, look at and listen to Thy Catafalque and the music that emanates from it with awe, but also a certain amount of fear. Fall in love with an album? There’s no guarantee that what comes next will resonate in the slightest as it will be markedly different. You really ever know what you might get from Thy Catafalque, aside from the assuredness that it will be avant-garde and challenging.

It will also be interesting, even if you find yourself hating what you hear, Thy Catafalque has the unique ability to keep you engaged.

Happily, hating this new album is simply impossible and, once again, Thy Catafalque brings forth an album that can be simply summed up as stunning. Even if the word ‘simple’ doesn’t belong in any sentence involving Thy Catafalque. Tamás Kátai’s vision is as unique as ever, and once again, he is joined by an incredible array of guest musicians to help make that vision a reality.

Artists like Attila Bakos, whose vocals on opening track Piros Kocsi, Fekete Éj help give the heavier pep that the track has so much more life. Although Martina Veronika Horváth, who also does vocals on this track, shouldn’t be overlooked, especially as they also turn in another incredible performance on Lydiához later on. It’s interesting to hear Thy Catafalque have some more straightforward melodies and rockier rhythms on this opening track too.

It is layered though and the avant-garde aspects are there, and becoming more prominent on the intense Mindenevö. As heavy as anything Thy Catafalque has put out in some time, the blackened vein within this band is throbbing here and an array of garish vocalists and powerful instrumentalists ensure it hits hard. Yet, there’s a French horn and a clarinet on display too. It would be stupid, if it wasn’t Thy Catafalque, who manages to marry all this madness together into one of the most spectacular listens of the year.

In a year of incredibly creative music, Thy Catafalque still finds a way to stand out, and that incredible talent continues to be on display with the manic Vasgyár and the epic heaviness of Világnak Világa. It continues to be such a delight to hear Thy Catafalque expand beyond the borders of extreme music but be able to deliver head bangers too.

Following a couple of hefty efforts, there is some scaling back in length with the moodier melody of Nyárfa, Nyírfa. Gábor Dudás’ vocals are immense on this one, but the synth and saxophone help make it extra special. Then there is Lydiához, a melodic twist on folkish elements. Before Vakond steps forward to showcase the most avant-garde of soundscapes via an array of interesting string and brass based instruments.

In most cases that would be about it for most, but Thy Catafalque are not most cases, and Ködkiraly might be the most epic track of all. Sinister synth, thick atmosphere, dreamy vocals, the French horn making a return, a cello sounding prominent, a heavy twist, and even some cor anglais. It is incredibly cinematic, and the highest point of an album filled with so many high points.

You’ll never want it to end, but all good things must, so along comes Aláhullás to deliver a robust bit of heaviness and along comes the title track to get you moving. Of the two, the latter is the more surprising as it’s poppy and very catchy.

A bonus track, a cover of Omega’s Babylon, is a nice addition, but even without it, the album has been proven to be more than satisfying. Another wholly unique effort from Thy Catafalque that is as brilliant as ever.

Thy Catafalque – XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek Track Listing:

1. Piros Kocsi, Fekete Éj
2. Mindenevö
3. Vasgyár
4. Világnak Világa
5. Nyárfa, Nyírfa
6. Lydiához
7. Vakond
8. Ködkiraly
9. Aláhullás
10. A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek
11. Babylon (Bonus Track – Omega Cover)

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