Swedish masters of melancholic heaviness, Katatonia, are set to release their haunting new album, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, on June 6, 2025, via Napalm Records. Over three decades, the Stockholm-based quintet has evolved from death-doom origins into a post-metal powerhouse, offering solace to the lost through immersive, shadowy soundscapes. Building on 2023’s Sky Void of Stars, this album is a mesmerizing blend of darkness and hope, cementing their status as grand seigneurs of gloom.
With crystal-clear production by Jonas Renkse, recorded by Lawrence Mackrory at NBS Audio and The City of Glass, mixed by Adam Noble, and mastered by Robin Schmidt at 24-96 Mastering, the album showcases Katatonia’s signature interplay of silence and intensity. Heavy riffs collide with delicate guitar harmonies, ethereal synths, and atmospheric flourishes, creating a captivating tension. Standout tracks include the dynamic “Thrice” and “Warden,” pulsing with energy, while “Lilac”—the lead single—pairs Renkse’s unmistakable vocals with hypnotic rhythms and progressive twists. “Wind of No Change” weaves ceremonial electronic textures into their enigmatic style, and “Temporal” balances fragility and power, erupting into a soaring, emotional chorus. The breathtaking “Efter Solen” (After the Sun), sung in Swedish, channels minimalist beauty inspired by Jonas Eika’s 2018 short stories.
“We’re proud and excited to share this journey,” says Renkse. “These songs thrive in the margins—obscured by light, alive in dusk.” Featuring Renkse (vocals), Niklas Sandin (bass), Daniel Moilanen (drums), Nico Elgstrand (guitars), and Sebastian Svalland (guitars), Katatonia continues to redefine their genre, shifting effortlessly between vulnerability and commanding artistry. Pre-orders are live—dive into their dystopian, beautiful world and let the nightmares unfold.
Tracklist:
- Thrice
- The Liquid Eye
- Wind Of No Change
- Lilac
- Temporal
- Departure Trails
- Warden
- The Light Which I Bleed
- Efter Solen
- In The Event Of