Review: Katatonia Remain Atmospheric and Affective on Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State
Taking their initial death-doom/black metal aesthetic into consideration, Sweden’s Katatonia have been dishing out highly atmospheric and affective doom/alternative/progressive rock and metal for over 30 years. For many bands, such a lengthy run would result in a marked decline in quality; yet, as the group’s prior studio LP (2023’s Sky Void of Stars) demonstrated, Katatonia are still able to craft the kinds of movingly moody compositions that’ve long earned them distinction.
Luckily, follow-up album Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State further solidifies the newly revised quintet’s enduring appeal. Understandably, it doesn’t rewrite the Katatonia rulebook, but instead thoroughly embodies their gothic evocativeness. As such, it’s another hauntingly decorated (and simultaneously tender and tumultuous) journey as only they could provide, and it’ll surely satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers looking to discover what makes Katatonia remarkable.
As already alluded to, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State introduces a new Katatonia lineup, with longtime guitarists Roger Öjersson and Anders Nyström being officially replaced by Nico Elgstrand and Sebastian Svalland. It makes sense, then, that the record is intentionally more guitar-centric than Sky Void of Stars so that both men can illustrate how well that fit into the band (which they absolutely do).
Aside from that, the album sees the group once again walking “the tightrope act between nocturnal darkness and Scandinavian despair while subtly weaving a sense of hope into the listener’s heart.” Specifically, frontman Jonas Renkse proudly clarifies that his introspective songwriting was inspired by the fact that he turned 50 years old in 2025, as well as that the LP’s nightmarish artwork was influenced by the lyrics of closer “In the Event Of.”
Just about everything Katatonia devotees could want from the band is present on Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State.
For instance, heavy opener “Thrice” finds Elgstrand and Svalland juxtaposing chaotic guitar riffs and delicate six-string tapestries to immediately verify why they belong in Katatonia. Naturally, they’re bolstered by dynamically impactful rhythms and forebodingly macabre keyboards, and Renkse’s singing is as chillingly resonant as ever as he belts out typically poetic sentiments (“I find you asleep / Dusk on your eyelids / I break into your dream / With hands made of glass”).
To varying degrees, every other song captures a similar balance of gracefully sorrowful songwriting, enthralling aggression, and calmingly contemplative segues. That said, all of them stand out due to at least one or two standout features and approaches.
In particular, “Wind of No Change” is pointedly ominous due to both its satanic allusions and lusciously medieval chants, whereas “The Light Which I Bleed” is robustly symphonic and erratically rhythmic (which perfectly complements Renkse’s soothing singing and astute views). There’s also the keyboard-focused nuances and overarching gentleness of “Departure Trails,” “Warden,” and “Efter Solen” (which take listeners on especially beautiful and tragic rides, with the latter tune incorporating digital percussion for extra uniqueness).
Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State is another superb sequence from the masters of sophisticated melancholy. Regardless of what might’ve been lost in losing Öjersson and Nyström, both Elgstrand and Svalland are clearly capable of stepping to their shoes with their singular yet wholly fitting musicianship. Beyond that, Katatonia as a whole shake things up just enough to give the album its own vibe amidst securing all the attributes that fans have adored for several decades.
Where it ranks in the band’s catalog remains to be seen (and will always be subjective, of course). Nevertheless, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State demonstrably proves that Katatonia can excel in their excellent new incarnation.
Katatonia’s Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State releases on June 6 via Napalm Records.
