Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The thirteenth studio album by Swedish band Katatonia, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, represents a milestone in the evolution of "Swedish greatness in heavy melancholy," as the band describes it. Released on June 6, 2025, via Napalm Records, the album comes at a time of transition for the Stockholm-based band: it is the first release without founding guitarist Anders Nyström, who left the lineup after more than 30 years, ushering in a new era led by Jonas Renkse (vocals and the last original member), along with guitarists Sebastian Svalland and Nico Elgstrand, bassist Niklas Sandin, and drummer Daniel Moilanen.
Renkse described the album as a "next step in Katatonia's evolution," an introduction to new guitarists and a testament to their ability to redefine the genre's emotional spectrum. Musically, the album balances the band's signature nocturnal darkness and Scandinavian despair, navigating a continuum of haunted vulnerability and imposing artistry.
With a crystal-clear production, it highlights the contrast between silences and intensities, heavy riffs, delicate guitar harmonies, ethereal synths, and atmospheric nuances that create captivating tension. The soundscapes evoke dystopias, inner demons, purity, and beauty, blending elements of gothic prog metal with subtle electronic touches and slowly growing melodies, typical of the "Katatonia effect"—albums that reveal themselves to be deeper with repeated listens.
Highlights include "Lilac," the first single released in April 2025 with an atmospheric music video that balances atmospheric melancholy, impactful riffs, and poignant melodies, harking back to the band's 2012 album Dead End Kings. "Temporal" impresses with intense verses that culminate in an emotional chorus and an instantly classic guitar solo. "Wind of No Change" surprises with electronic textures and a somber chorus, almost like an "evil and sedated" version of Ghost, flirting with satanic themes—a first in the band's discography. Tracks like "Thrice" and "Warden" pulse with dynamic energy, while "The Light Which I Bleed" features quirky keyboard melodies and a memorable chorus.
Reviews are mostly positive, praising the consistency and emotional depth, though some point to a certain predictability compared to recent works like City Burials (2020) and Sky Void of Stars (2023). It's a solid, guitar-forward album, ideal for fans of melancholic prog metal. It may not revolutionize the band's sound, but it reinforces their mastery of creating heart-wrenching narratives that grow over time. If you're looking to dive into a world of nightmares that extend into the waking state, this album is a hypnotic and engaging journey.
MEMBERS
Jonas Renkse - Vocals, Keyboards, Songwriting, Lyrics
Niklas Sandin - Bass
Daniel Moilanen - Drums
Nico Elgstrand - Guitars
Sebastian Svalland - Guitars
TRACKLIST
1. Thrice | 00:00
2. The Liquid Eye | 04:39
3. Wind of No Change | 08:23
4. Lilac | 13:15
5. Temporal | 18:07
6. Departure Trails | 22:18
7. Warden | 27:19
8. The Light Which I Bleed | 31:38
9. Efter solen | 35:34
10. In the Event Of | 41:26
SOCIAL MEDIA
Bandcamp: katatonia.bandcamp.com
Deezer: deezer.com/us/artist/4019
Facebook: facebook.com/katatonia
Instagram: instagram.com/katatoniaband
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2CWWgbxApjbyByxBBCvGTm
YouTube: youtube.com/katatoniaband
COPYRIGHT
All music written and produced by Katatonia. All rights reserved to Napalm Records.
#newalbum #newrelease #fullalbum #promotion #metal #Katatonia #NightmaresAsExtensions #MelancoliaPesada #DoomMetal #MetalGótico #RockProgressivo #PostRock #RockAlternativo #MúsicaAtmosférica #MetalMelódico #JonasRenkse #NapalmRecords #NovoÁlbum #MúsicaSueca #Lilac #Temporal #WindOfNoChange
⚡️PROMOTION - Promote new independent bands or the publication of albums that have already been released in previous years that deserve to be highlighted. Please let me know by commenting the video if you're seen in the video or own the copyright and don't like my promotion! Ofcourse I'll pull down the video if you ask! It's all done for the love of your music!
The thirteenth studio album by Swedish band Katatonia, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, represents a milestone in the evolution of "Swedish greatness in heavy melancholy," as the band describes it. Released on June 6, 2025, via Napalm Records, the album comes at a time of transition for the Stockholm-based band: it is the first release without founding guitarist Anders Nyström, who left the lineup after more than 30 years, ushering in a new era led by Jonas Renkse (vocals and the last original member), along with guitarists Sebastian Svalland and Nico Elgstrand, bassist Niklas Sandin, and drummer Daniel Moilanen.
Renkse described the album as a "next step in Katatonia's evolution," an introduction to new guitarists and a testament to their ability to redefine the genre's emotional spectrum. Musically, the album balances the band's signature nocturnal darkness and Scandinavian despair, navigating a continuum of haunted vulnerability and imposing artistry.
With a crystal-clear production, it highlights the contrast between silences and intensities, heavy riffs, delicate guitar harmonies, ethereal synths, and atmospheric nuances that create captivating tension. The soundscapes evoke dystopias, inner demons, purity, and beauty, blending elements of gothic prog metal with subtle electronic touches and slowly growing melodies, typical of the "Katatonia effect"—albums that reveal themselves to be deeper with repeated listens.
Highlights include "Lilac," the first single released in April 2025 with an atmospheric music video that balances atmospheric melancholy, impactful riffs, and poignant melodies, harking back to the band's 2012 album Dead End Kings. "Temporal" impresses with intense verses that culminate in an emotional chorus and an instantly classic guitar solo. "Wind of No Change" surprises with electronic textures and a somber chorus, almost like an "evil and sedated" version of Ghost, flirting with satanic themes—a first in the band's discography. Tracks like "Thrice" and "Warden" pulse with dynamic energy, while "The Light Which I Bleed" features quirky keyboard melodies and a memorable chorus.
Reviews are mostly positive, praising the consistency and emotional depth, though some point to a certain predictability compared to recent works like City Burials (2020) and Sky Void of Stars (2023). It's a solid, guitar-forward album, ideal for fans of melancholic prog metal. It may not revolutionize the band's sound, but it reinforces their mastery of creating heart-wrenching narratives that grow over time. If you're looking to dive into a world of nightmares that extend into the waking state, this album is a hypnotic and engaging journey.
MEMBERS
Jonas Renkse - Vocals, Keyboards, Songwriting, Lyrics
Niklas Sandin - Bass
Daniel Moilanen - Drums
Nico Elgstrand - Guitars
Sebastian Svalland - Guitars
TRACKLIST
1. Thrice | 00:00
2. The Liquid Eye | 04:39
3. Wind of No Change | 08:23
4. Lilac | 13:15
5. Temporal | 18:07
6. Departure Trails | 22:18
7. Warden | 27:19
8. The Light Which I Bleed | 31:38
9. Efter solen | 35:34
10. In the Event Of | 41:26
SOCIAL MEDIA
Bandcamp: katatonia.bandcamp.com
Deezer: deezer.com/us/artist/4019
Facebook: facebook.com/katatonia
Instagram: instagram.com/katatoniaband
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2CWWgbxApjbyByxBBCvGTm
YouTube: youtube.com/katatoniaband
COPYRIGHT
All music written and produced by Katatonia. All rights reserved to Napalm Records.
#newalbum #newrelease #fullalbum #promotion #metal #Katatonia #NightmaresAsExtensions #MelancoliaPesada #DoomMetal #MetalGótico #RockProgressivo #PostRock #RockAlternativo #MúsicaAtmosférica #MetalMelódico #JonasRenkse #NapalmRecords #NovoÁlbum #MúsicaSueca #Lilac #Temporal #WindOfNoChange
⚡️PROMOTION - Promote new independent bands or the publication of albums that have already been released in previous years that deserve to be highlighted. Please let me know by commenting the video if you're seen in the video or own the copyright and don't like my promotion! Ofcourse I'll pull down the video if you ask! It's all done for the love of your music!
