Kataan – Kataan EP

Release date: 7 May 2021
Label: Prosthetic Records
 

Intro

Although Kataan is a new act, both members are not new to the music scene. Nicholas Thornbury did work with the now deactivated New Hampshire-based black metal group Vattnet Viskar. Meanwhile, Brett Boland is currently in the Massachusetts-based blackgaze band Astronoid. Somewhere along the way, their paths crossed and an idea for a new project was born. After releasing two singles earlier this year, Kataan have now released their first EP, the eponymous Kataan.

The Album

Things start off with a bang with Erase, slightly off-beat drums hammering away behind Thornbury’s impressive black metal vocals. Moans and growls don’t harmonize but rather complement the urgent guitar, Boland practically doing the drum work of two people. There are definitely some shoegaze elements hidden underneath as well, which work well to soften the otherwise harsh sound. After this, Abyss takes over with a slightly slower beat, shifting the energy to be more sombre while still keeping the fiery intensity. It is really the speed here of Boland’s drumming and Thornbury’s guitar that is impressive, instruments nearly stealing the show from the vocals.

Processor begins with a flurry of noise and only pulls back to let out Thornbury’s echoing howls. There is a lot that clashes and yet it flows together well, drums and bass meeting guitar meeting vocals meeting drums again. The song teases at changing tempo a couple of times, only giving the listener a few moments respite before wailing on unexpecting ears again. The last track on the album is Vessel, a song that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. It almost feels like the drums, guitar, and vocals are all part of three different songs on separate parts of the metal spectrum. It’s a very unique sound to hear blackened vocals over a melody that is both shoegaze and prog. The combination of styles definitely makes this track stand out and also makes it worthy as a closer.

A Final Word

Tweaking genres where needed and fitting themselves in a niche, Kataan have put out an impressive first release. Two people with great skills from previous acts have come together and made something that showcases both their talents. Fans of both Deafheaven and Alcest will probably find something to love with this one, and any black metal fan will surely appreciate it. Add Kataan to the slowly growing list of blackgaze acts out there and expect to hear more later.

Line up:

• Nicholas Thornbury (he/him) – Vocals, guitar
• Brett Boland (he/him) – Bass, drums

Links:

Official
Facebook
Bandcamp