Katatonia - 'Lilac' (official music video)

Laying low
Seeking time
Landlocked
Port of freedom
The devil's own
Paying the price
All set up to begin
Torpor
It called us in

Into the dead stream
Giving up on true belief
Forget now the last objective
Lower the final dream
Into the rigid water of submission
We came close
We were close
To lilac time

Chronotype
Events in June
Our lantern
Diluted by the void
The devil's drum
Lashing hard
Beating like my heart
To pull you back in

Into the dead stream
Giving up on true belief
Forget now the last objective
Lower the final dream
Into the rigid water of submission
We came close
We were close
To lilac time

The river of Lethe
Dreary and cold
It broke my body and destroyed my soul
All our memories, love
Reduced to vapour

Full length νούμερο 14 για τους Katatonia. Φέρει τον τίτλο - σιδηρόδρομο "Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State" και αναμένεται στα ξεκινήματα του καλοκαιριού. Η Σουηδική μπάντα με το Ελληνικό όνομα υπάρχει στο heavy metal σύμπαν από το δεύτερο μισό της δεκαετίας του ογδόντα (τα τέσσερα πρώτα χρόνια ως Melancholium) και έχει κυκλοφορήσει 13 "ολοκληρωμένους" στουντιακούς δίσκους, μία ενδεκάδα EPs, πέντε live albums, ισάριθμες συλλογές, δύο demos και μπόλικα singles. Νέα μέλη της μπάντας οι κιθαρίστες Nico Elgstrand και Sebastian Svalland, οι οποίοι εντάχθηκαν στους Katatonia φέτος...

Δελτίο τύπου: «Nightmares have never sounded so beautiful! Swedish grandeurs of melancholic heaviness, Katatonia, return with Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, set for release on June 6, 2025 via Napalm Records.

Once again, the Stockholm-based unit masterfully navigates the tightrope act between nocturnal darkness and Scandinavian despair while subtly weaving a sense of hope into the listener’s heart.

Since emerging in the early nineties, Katatonia has projected a beacon of light for the forgotten and the lonely ones, offering solace to those willing to lose themselves in the band’s immersive soundscapes. From their roots in death-doom metal to the post-metal entity they embody today, their art remains as haunting as ever.

Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State marks the next step in Katatonia’s evolution, building upon the foundation of their previous album, Sky Void of Stars (2023). Crystal-clear production highlights the interplay between silence and intensity, while the contrast of heavy riffs, delicate guitar harmonies, ethereal synthesizers, and atmospheric nuances create captivating tension.

Tracks like "Thrice" and "Warden" pulse with dynamic energy, while "Lilac" sees Jonas Renkse’s unmistakable vocals intertwining with hypnotic rhythms and progressive elements. A near-ceremonial piece, "Wind of No Change", merges subtle electronic textures with Katatonia’s enigmatic soundscapes, while "Temporal" balances fragility and strength - its intense verses culminating in a soaring, emotionally charged chorus.

The breathtaking "Efter Solen" (Engl. After the Sun), featuring Swedish lyrics, evokes echoes of Jonas Eika’s 2018 short story collection, with minimalistic yet striking instrumentation. Even after more than 30 years, Katatonia continues to redefine the emotional spectrum of their genre, effortlessly shifting between haunting vulnerability and commanding artistry.

With sonic landscapes that evoke dystopia, inner demons, purity, and beauty alike, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State stands as a testament to their enduring brilliance. The album was produced 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.»

Band: Katatonia
Country of origin: Sweden
Location: Stockholm
Formed in: 1991
Genre: Depressive Rock/Metal
Lyrical themes: Inner struggles, Depression, Bereavement
Years active: 1987-1991 (as Melancholium), 1991-1995, 1996-2018, 2019-present

Video: "Lilac"
Directed, Produced, Edited by: Patric Ullaeus
Album: "Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State"
Type: Full length
Release date: June 6th, 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Format: CD, 12" vinyl, Digital

Track listing:
01. Thrice
02. The Liquid Eye
03. Wind of no Change
04. Lilac
05. Temporal
06. Departure Trails
07. Warden
08. The Light Which I Bleed
09. Efter Solen
10. In the Event of

Band members:
Jonas Renkse - Vocals, Songwriting, Lyrics
Niklas Sandin - Bass
Daniel Moilanen - Drums
Nico Elgstrand - Guitars
Sebastian Svalland - Guitars

Miscellaneous staff:
Lawrence Mackrory - Recording
Adam Noble - Mixing
Robin Schmidt - Mastering
Jonas Renkse - Producer