Thy Catafalque - Vadak (2021)^{Release ID: 28971}

There is something that must be said about bands like Thy Catafalque. nearing twenty-five years into their musical endeavors and answering the call to raise the bar with every subsequent release. Many people believe that Rengeteg is the culmination of what this band is capable of, but I would like to challenge that claim with the bands newest album, Vadak.

Calling Thy Catafalque black metal in 2021 is grossly misleading as their is not a lot that would imply such a sound. Sure, the band begun making symphonic and avant-garde black metal, but those tones have been replaced by progressive songwriting in addition to all of the folk touches. However, in comparison to the bands excellent 2020 album, Naiv, Thy Catafalque brought back some heavier tones that are far more in line with thrash metal and sometimes groove metal. The stellar combo of "Gömböc" and "Az energiamegmaradás törvénye" is brimming with life and energy; the main riffs are filthy and the vocals and lead soar as complimentary pieces that mesh remarkably well.

Of course, this album is still progressive in nature, so thrash adjacent grooves aren't the only thing on display. "Móló" and the title track are slow burners with some ethereal moments. I got a huge kick out of the main synth ostinato during the second half of "Móló" and the prominent use of horns as melodic instruments during "A kupolaváros titka" and the title track are spectacular.

When I look back on progressive music in twenty years from now, and I think of about the essence of what it means to be progressive, Thy Catafalque will most likely be the first name that comes to mind. Their forward thinking approach to songwriting is intoxicating, but never feels overindulgent. Whereas Naiv had a tendency to get a little same-y at times, Vadak suffers none of that. The sound of this album is stellar for as much that is going on sonically, and the band balances it all with such precision. And this may be the best sounding thrash metal that I've heard in almost ten years! This is the one to beat in 2021 folks.