Scandinavian landscapes can bring some extremes in weather as the seasons change, and perhaps the dark winters and bright summers can create a temporary darkness in one’s soul. There is also depression, which is very serious when it weighs on the mind and body. Fortunately, some people find creative outlets to release that darkness into something truly beautiful. Such is the case with Stockholm, Sweden’s Doom and Gothic Gloom Metal band, Katatonia.
Established in 1991, Katatonia has undergone numerous changes over the years, including shifts in their sound and personnel. With many lineup changes, some of the most significant in the last two decades would have to include the departure of Guitarist Fredrik Norrman and Bassist Mattias Norrman in 2009, before Drummer Daniel Liljekvist in 2014. Most recently, and surprisingly, founding Guitarist Anders Nyström bowed out in March 2025.
While Vocalist Jonas Renkse has been the key to this band’s sound and direction for much of their work since 2020’s City Burials, now the addition of Guitarists Nico Elgstrand (formerly of Entombed) and Sebastian Svalland (formerly of In Mourning) will be testing the waters to see how well they fit into the progressive flow of Katatonia. Joining a lineup featuring Bassist Niklas Sandin and Drummer Daniel Moilanen, the modern Katatonia are back in 2025 with their thirteenth studio album titled Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State.
Released on June 6, 2025, through Napalm Records, the title of this latest Katatonia album says it all. Nightmares can be anxiety extensions of waking life. For example, having dreams about a real stressful day at work could keep one working throughout the night in their subconscious. Over the last few years, Katatonia has mellowed its Metal sound into a more melodic serenity, fueled by grandiose repression. As a nice follow-up to the 2023 album Sky Void Of Stars, this new release shares the same melancholic tones.
Ten songs in total, it begins with “Thrice.” While some Katatonia fans may still relish in 2006’s The Great Cold Distance, they should still be inspired by the endlessness that Katatonia brings with their dismal and darkened lyrics. The depressing titles, such as “Wind Of No Change,” are all just part of that Katatonia charm. Capturing these deeply internal emotions and releasing them into the sky like a dove into the air is no easy feat. Additionally, the song “Lilac” is a pretty title that dives into some of the tactical progressions Katatonia is capable of.
The next track, “Temporal,” stands out as a good example of the new guitarists bleeding their skills into the progressive waves Katatonia enjoys sailing on. It works, and the hauntingly depressing vocals really sell the tale. The song with Swedish lyrics, “Efter Solen,” also presents a strong storyline, whether the listener understands Swedish or not. The music carries the emotional struggles quite well. Lastly, “In The Event Of” surges through your brain with that gentle, beautiful vulnerability that Jonas Renkse breathes out. It is an appropriate and confident ending to this emotional tidal wave of an album.
Katatonia is touring Europe this winter, and hopefully, they will return to the US early next year. Be sure to catch them and support the Scandinavian Doom Metal culture. As for the new era of Katatonia, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State is a step up from 2023’s Sky Void Of Stars, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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