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Thy Catafalque - Alföld



8 | 244 votes |
Release date: 16 June 2023
Style: Avantgarde black metal

Owners:

69 have it
19 want it


01. A Csend Hegyei
02. Testen Túl
03. A Földdel Egyenlő
04. Alföld
05. Folyondár
06. Csillagot Görgető
07. A Felkelő Hold Országa
08. Szíriusz
09. Néma Vermek

Top 20 albums of 2023: 14

Line-up
Tamás Kátai - vocal, keyboards, guitars, bass, programs

Guest musicians
Gábor Veres - vocals
Lambert Lédeczy - vocals
Martina Veronika Horváth - vocals
Bálint Bokodi - vocals
Gábor Dudás - vocals
Chris Lyons - violin, viola
Ido Romano - ney flute
Breno Machado - guitars
Samuel Chacon - fretless bass
Austris Apenis - french horn
Dario Cei - flute
Daniele Belli - acoustic guitar, contrabass

Additional info
Released via Season Of Mist.

Mixed in Budapest, Hungary.
Mastered at Imperial Mastering in Austin, Texas, USA.

Staff review by
musclassia
Rating:
7.9
Being a band typically flagged as avant-garde, Thy Catafalque unsurprisingly have different flavours for their various records. Naiv was generally fun and bubbly, while Vadak had a more melancholic feel to it; in contrast, Alföld stands out due to its aggression.

Read more ››
published 22.06.2023 | Comments (5)

Found in 43 lists
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Comments

Comments: 28   Visited by: 574 users
16.06.2023 - 00:49
Rating: 8
Archie 666
Early Therion vibes What else?
edit: I know. This: Pan.thy.monium - Khaooohs And Kon-Fus-Ion.
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16.06.2023 - 09:02
Rating: 8
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Contributor
Well I expected this to be good but this is something special. I mean, what a truly magnificent musician Tamas really is, always keeping his style fresh, original and interesting, and never falling short of memorable melodic moments. He has this supurb ability to blend a wide variety of elements and influences to an exceptional standard
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16.06.2023 - 09:53
nikarg
Staff
This is probably his most 'metal' album. In any case, the guy can do no wrong. It's very rare that a band can have such a consistently good discography, while also changing the sound (sometimes more, sometimes less) from album to album.
After first listen, "A Földdel Egyenlő" and "A Felkelő Hold Országa" are the tracks that stood out immediately.
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16.06.2023 - 11:33
Rating: 8
musclassia
Staff
Hmm, slightly unsure about this on first listen - there's definitely the Thy Catafalque charm there on quite a few of the songs, but while it's cool that his albums are unpredictable, I do find myself not liking his more extreme ones (this one and Meta) as much as the others. I'm not sure how much outright brutality plays to the project's strengths, but I'll give it more listens to see whether that perspective changes. Vadak still their best in my eyes
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16.06.2023 - 12:16
Rating: 9
Dark Forever
Ruído Sonoro
Well, I was not expecting such a heavy album after Vadak. But to be honest, that's on me, I should have learned by now to expect nothing but unpredictability from this guy. A Földdel Egyenlő is trully brilliant. Another great addition to the discography, marking 20 years in a row releasing outstanding albums.
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Taste the DARK...
... and you'll live FOREVER!
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16.06.2023 - 17:10
Rating: 8
ChapuLviz
Tropical Goat
Contributor
For me sounds like soft death metal, interesting but not so much
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16.06.2023 - 17:26
Rating: 8
Vellichor
Written by AndyMetalFreak on 16.06.2023 at 09:02

This has gone straight to the number one spot for this year for me, and will likely remain there throughout the rest of the year, unless something truly magnificent blows me away!

Oh man, that’s high praise! Now you’ve got me excited, gonna listen to this right after the new Saturnus
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16.06.2023 - 17:30
Rating: 8
Bjamm
A Földdel Egyenlő is just outstanding!! What a remarkable album!
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16.06.2023 - 17:59
Rating: 9
Metren
Dreadrealm
Written by AndyMetalFreak on 16.06.2023 at 09:02

This has gone straight to the number one spot for this year for me, and will likely remain there throughout the rest of the year, unless something truly magnificent blows me away!

I have read and heard nothing but good things about Thy Catafalque, but for some dumb reason, I have never listened to them. Your comment about this being the no 1 album so far convinced me to check it out. I owe you a beer or twelve, because this is soooo good! Thank you!

Almost every single element, melody, riff, drum beat etc is charmingly simple, but the way it all just works together is flawless. I am beyond impressed by this album. I would not bet against it ending up very high on my end-of-the-year list or even it becoming my most listened to album of the entire year.
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My one-man project's Bandcamp with free downloads: https://dreadrealm.bandcamp.com/
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16.06.2023 - 18:39
terroriser
Account deleted
Written by Archie 666 on 16.06.2023 at 00:49

Early Therion vibes What else?
edit: I know. This: Pan.thy.monium - Khaooohs And Kon-Fus-Ion.

Really? I love pan.thy.monium. I need to listen to it
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16.06.2023 - 19:17
Rating: 8
Archie 666
Give it a listen terroriser. Let me know what you think.
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16.06.2023 - 19:34
Rating: 8
Definitely more on the 'black' side of things rather than avantgarde.

Overall seems solid, but still prefer his more creative output like Naiv and Vadak.
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Avantgarde / Psychedelic / Prog / Jazz / Fusion / Electronica
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16.06.2023 - 20:22
terroriser
Account deleted
Written by Archie 666 on 16.06.2023 at 19:17

Give it a listen terroriser. Let me know what you think.

Hell yeah I love it. And I think you nailed it early Therion and Pan-Thy-Monium especially first track it sounds like straight continuation of Khaooohs
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16.06.2023 - 20:35
Rating: 8
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Contributor
Written by Vellichor on 16.06.2023 at 17:26

Oh man, that’s high praise! Now you’ve got me excited, gonna listen to this right after the new Saturnus

I'm really digging this alot. I admit I've not listened to his whole discography yet, but from what I've gathered this is one of his heaviest releases and some of his best work and most consistent albums imo, but it doesn't seem to be as experimental as his earlier work, but the simplicity suits me fine, I admire the simple melodic approach tbh.
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16.06.2023 - 20:43
Rating: 8
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Contributor
Written by Metren on 16.06.2023 at 17:59


I have read and heard nothing but good things about Thy Catafalque, but for some dumb reason, I have never listened to them. Your comment about this being the no 1 album so far convinced me to check it out. I owe you a beer or twelve, because this is soooo good! Thank you!

Almost every single element, melody, riff, drum beat etc is charmingly simple, but the way it all just works together is flawless. I am beyond impressed by this album. I would not bet against it ending up very high on my end-of-the-year list or even it becoming my most listened to album of the entire year.

I hate to admit it, but I've shamefully missed out on the vast majority of his work, I remember skimming through most of his albums and not really paying full attention, although some of his work really stood out. That is going to change from now on this is some amazing musicianship.
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17.06.2023 - 07:02
Rating: 7
24emd
Theory Snob
I guess the avantgarde black thing just isn't for me, because I didn't enjoy this one too much. I may revisit at some point if the hype keeps up Glad others are enjoying it though.
----
"I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense." - Proverbs 30:2
"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

Best 2024 Albums
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17.06.2023 - 07:39
Rating: 8
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Contributor
Written by 24emd on 17.06.2023 at 07:02

I guess the avantgarde black thing just isn't for me, because I didn't enjoy this one too much. I may revisit at some point if the hype keeps up Glad others are enjoying it though.

Aventgarde is a weird genre, it's very hit and miss for me so I completely understand if this hasn't clicked with you. There's some albums in this genre that I can't stand, but this one seemed to click all the right buttons for me, which I have to say, is a rarity
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17.06.2023 - 23:35
Rating: 8
Written by 24emd on 17.06.2023 at 07:02

I guess the avantgarde black thing just isn't for me, because I didn't enjoy this one too much. I may revisit at some point if the hype keeps up Glad others are enjoying it though.

His previous releases Vadak and Naiv might be more to your liking. Also would check out Geometria.
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Avantgarde / Psychedelic / Prog / Jazz / Fusion / Electronica
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18.06.2023 - 04:16
Rating: 7
24emd
Theory Snob
Written by AndyMetalFreak on 17.06.2023 at 07:39

Written by 24emd on 17.06.2023 at 07:02

I guess the avantgarde black thing just isn't for me, because I didn't enjoy this one too much. I may revisit at some point if the hype keeps up Glad others are enjoying it though.

Aventgarde is a weird genre, it's very hit and miss for me so I completely understand if this hasn't clicked with you. There's some albums in this genre that I can't stand, but this one seemed to click all the right buttons for me, which I have to say, is a rarity

Second runthrough, I definitely liked it a lot more. I'm still not too keen on the overall sound, but tracks 3-5 are pretty good, I just had to get past the first two which were pretty average imo. While the riffs feel a little bland at times, I do like the production and the flute is great.
It's always hard to decide which albums to give a second listen to, especially with so many coming out each week, but I certainly will give this one another shot in the coming future.

Written by SchrödingersCat on 17.06.2023 at 23:35

His previous releases Vadak and Naiv might be more to your liking. Also would check out Geometria.

Thanks for the recommendation, I will check it out
----
"I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense." - Proverbs 30:2
"Music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!" - Devin Townsend

Best 2024 Albums
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22.06.2023 - 02:21
Rating: 9
Zyk
A bit simpler and much heavier. He may have stripped down the sound but he can still write plenty of great stuff.

When Alföld was announced Tamás said, "This time I just wanted to do metal without any innovation or progression, focusing on songs and riffs rather than experimenting and breaking new grounds." I think he completely succeeded and he might have sold himself a little short because after the second song the album gets very imaginative and this approach can be seen as a different way to innovate and progress. The first couple of songs are good but they didn't really draw me in like I was hoping. Everything after that though is near flawless and just as interesting as any of his other works. There are excellent vocal performances from a lot of different voices and there are a variety of atmospheres during the album's runtime even if they are mostly atmospheres we're used to from him.

Highlights for me were: A Felkelő Hold Országa, Csillagot Görgető, Folyondár, and Alföld.

Special mention to A Felkelő Hold Országa for starting off with a better Immortal riff than anything on the actual Immortal album that just came out last month.
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24.06.2023 - 19:33
Rating: 8
Vellichor
What an awesome album this is. Been listening so much since it came out. Every piece just fits so well here, and the title track is one the most beautiful tracks he’s done.
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25.06.2023 - 13:01
Rating: 8
Maldone
From Róka Hasa Rádió onwards every Thy Catafalque album is at least 9 for me. This might even be the weakest one, but still 9
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27.06.2023 - 13:56
Rating: 8
Liafev
For me this was a bit boring on first listen compared to the past 3 which I absolutely adored. It seems like the aggression came at the cost of the beauty and the originality. I would take previous Thy Catafalque over this one any day, but maybe my opinion will change when I listen to it without the expectations of it being as original and unique as his other albums.

Still an 8 though, this guy can't fail, but I don't see this album easily taking the avant-garde MS Award like several of his albums did.
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30.06.2023 - 22:38
Rating: 8
Vellichor
The riff from Testen Túl is stuck in my head. It reminds me exactly of something else but I can’t think of it
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20.09.2023 - 14:22
Rating: 7
metalbrat
All tracks are good on its own way but if taken as a whole album, I missed the thrill which I have got from Vadak. May be because every track are different and experimented to get different vibes but couldn't enjoy it contbuosly as whole.
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In the beginning I was made of clay. Then I bit the apple and they changed me to metal 🤘
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12.12.2023 - 03:34
Rating: 7
tintinb
It's a good album but definitely not at par with his previous three releases. Only Alföld made me notice, rest I felt were sort of average. The Thy Catafalque touch that I expected is surely missing.
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Leeches everywhere.
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21.12.2023 - 10:42
Rating: 8
Reaper_Redeemer
Listened to it a lot through the year. The level of Thy Catafalque's releases is not dropping at all!
Enjoyed tracks #2,3,7 and 9. Especially the riff at the end of track 3 was one of the band's highlights in general.
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04.02.2024 - 18:48
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Staff
For a long time now I've felt this project is "eh, just good I guess" but the furious riffs on this album caught me off-guard. And the non-metal influences really worked for me thsi time around. Perhaps my tastes have changed a bit. I will have to re-check the discography again after the Awards are over.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass

Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.

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