Released on: 24th January 2020
Both emphatic and energetic Naiv captures the restless spirit of Tamás Kátai in an album fit for esoteric rites. The ninth album from Hungarian composer Tamás Kátai’s Thy Catafalque it is an enscorcelling and eclectic mix of neo-folk, punk and extreme metal reminiscent of the avant-garde metal spawned from the dark ages of black metal from just before the Millennium.
While the fanfare on the album does not stray too far from modern musical conventions Tamás delves into new clips and crops of proto-goth, ars nova and funk like a Victorian barber on finely ground sugar cubes.
Solefald, Fleurety and Satyricon fans will be pleasantly returned to times before the light with this plucky album that sounds like, for a quick summary, a Manes split with Medieval Babes. Or let us call it Themes From The Marriage Of Ethnic Culture And Globalization to keep in line with the previous avant-garde comparisons. Thy Catafalque is very coherent and even operatic in this respect.
As Tamás Kátai utilizes genres in heterophonic unity like a legend told in time. This diversity creates a deep and rich texture that while rough in tone is pure silk on the cheeks of the dreams it inspires. And notably the synth work compliments the supernatural tones well. Not too wet and not drowned in the mix.
The patches that are used are equally as haunting as the beautiful vocal work on the album, but more unworldly. Which is not to say that the somnific chanting is not ethereal. Because it is. But the programming adds an extra dimension not available through conventional instruments. Cementing the fact that killer mixing and a good understanding of layers can truly make an album. Especially in these days of digital extremes.
Naiv is a ceremonious accomplishment and an aural experience akin to a fever dream. That if Nietzsche is to be believed will leave you stronger and more human that superhuman; A command effort by Thy Catafalque– Naiv delivers an album of euphoric delights unmatched in expanding the influences of modern metal.
9/10
