Katatonia – Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State
Release Date: 6th June 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Gothic Metal, Atmospheric Post-Metal.
FFO: Soen, Leprous, Opeth, Amorphis, Anathema, Paradise Lost, Swallow the Sun.
Review By: Rick Farley
Katatonia the purveyors of Swedish melancholic metal return with album number thirteen, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State. Being released via Napalm Records, June 6th, 2025.
What can be said of a band that’s reinvented itself multiple times while still being able to maintain their core sound and signature mood. A band that’s been reinvigorated continuously by their unafraid exploration and expansion of their sound, and of a fanbase that for the most part has been truly supportive the entire time. Except maybe those still hanging on to the first two albums. Sure, there are detractors, but they are typically few and far between. These types of bands don’t come along often that have such a passionate lifeblood connection to their fans. We are so enamoured with what’s to be next in a long history of musical eminence that we will patiently wait with bated breath, hope, trust, and unwavering loyalty until the day is finally upon us. Each of us discussing, debating, arguing which era of the band is the best and will they ever release the equivalent of our favourite album again or what direction will the new album even go. That’s the problem with such loyal fanbases, no one is ever truly pleased with the future of, except the ones who aren’t as familiar with the past. The truth of it all is that this band, Katatonia has been inarguably consistent this entire time. There are differences between Brave Murder Day, The Great Cold Distance, and Sky Void of Stars, but the undertones have always been the same. Never changing the dark majesty, the heaviness, emotional or musical, the doomy atmosphere and melancholic songwriting that we all love. The fans of Tonight’s Decision may not always be in the same headspace space as those who love The Fall of Hearts, but the essence is always the same.
However, to the dismay of fans who want a dethroning of their favourite album Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State is not that album (just yet) but despite it being the logical next step direction wise, this is a vastly different record than the previous few. This is a much more guitar forward record with less brightness, more mystery, is less proggy and is not immediately as catchy. It’s riff heavy with brooding darkness, contrasting tension and has an ethereal atmosphere that seems to just float you thru the tracks as if you have nowhere to go but be inside this wandering journey. In terms of guitar heaviness it’s closest to Night is the New Day, crunchy, chuggy riffs with huge bass tone on a lot of its runtime. What it lacks in hooks it makes up in textured atmosphere, connecting the dots of all eras of Katatonia with its sullen doom.
Thrice kicks things off with a crunchy burst of extreme heaviness, but only for a brief time before its mood changes to a calm, ambient verse. As the track moves forward, the energy and heaviness amp up to a swelling chunkiness that continues to rattle your bones. There is an undercurrent of melody and a hook that is present, but the track is presented in a non-traditional structure that it feels somewhat dissonant. Immediately following is The Liquid Eye, the tone is changed to a more post, tribalistic beat with a clearer Katatonia sound. Complete with a killer guitar solo. This is a great mix of modern with 2009 type of vibe to it. Just don’t overthink it.
The track that will garner the most attention is the sinister Wind of no Change. Background choirs, heavy as hell riffs, olden feel during the verses and potentially controversial lyrics. Absolute stunner that will possibly divide some of the fanbase. Warden with its pulsing bass and jazzy feel sets a hypnotic rhythm before jumping to a memorable hook pushing the energy forward. The Light Which I Bleed, which currently stands as my favourite, is a swaggering off tempo riff and drumbeat that melds together in perfect harmony. Tons of guitars and atmospheric gloom that sets an undeniable mood of floating airiness. Epic sounding synths and doomy chords ring out as the track slowly drifts away. Efter Solen is an electronic based piano ballad that might be the most vulnerable Jonas has ever sounded. It’s sang sole in Swedish and to me is a mesmerizing example of how this band can write gold regardless of what genre they’re in.
The one thing that seems apparent with this record is that it’s such a demanding listen, it’s a personal record, that it will get mixed reviews right off the bat. It doesn’t immediately hit you upon your first few listens that it may take a while to grasp it in its entirety. For me personally, this didn’t immediately vibe with me like usual until the fourth or fifth listen, but once it did, it’s clear that Katatonia has once again navigated the haunted darkness with its own melancholic nightmares. If you’re a longtime fan, give this the respect it deserves and don’t write it off too quickly, you’ll be making a huge mistake.
(5 / 5)
