Photo By Orsolya Karancz
Today, I have the privilege of speaking with Two-time Hungarian Grammy winner Tamás Kátai, the mastermind behind Thy Catafalque, a band that has become synonymous with pushing the boundaries of extreme metal. Known for blending black metal with symphonic and avant-garde elements, Kátai’s music creates a rich, atmospheric landscape that speaks not only to the raw intensity of metal but also to deep themes of nostalgia, history, and personal introspection. With their latest album XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek, translated to The Beautiful Dreams Are Yet to Come, Kátai takes us on a surreal journey through the night, blending his Hungarian heritage with his unique vision. In this interview, we’ll delve into his creative process, the evolution of the band’s sound, and the themes that continue to shape his music.
Tamás Kátai of Thy Catafalque have a fascinating approach to music. The Beautiful Dreams Are Yet To Come is a mesmerizing album true to his artistic vision. Kátai has weaved together a diversity of musicians, creating an experience that feels like a portal into the very subconscious of nature itself.
Metal Lair: For those whom are less familiar with your exceptional musical work, could you provide us with an introduction to the band?
Tamás Kátai: Hello. Thy Catafalque was born in 1998 in Hungary as a black metal project by János Juhász and myself. Throughout the years the music got more and more colorful and we released 12 albums, 1 live album and some compilations. Since 2011 our label is Season Of Mist.
Metal Lair: It’s truly remarkable that you’ve created such a rich and expansive sound. Could you share the meaning behind the name “Thy Catafalque”?
Tamás Kátai: This is a medieval English expression. Thy means your and a catafalque is a decorated wooden framework supporting a casket or coffin of a dead person.
Metal Lair: Your new album, The Beautiful Dreams Are Yet to Come features a fascinating mix of genres. Can you walk us through how you approach blending such diverse styles in your music? What drives you to explore these different genres and experiment with their combination?
Tamás Kátai: The title is “XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezutánjönnek” as it is in Hungarian but yes, the English translation is correct. The process is pretty much the usual drill. I start fiddling around, playing something and if it’s workable I just go on and after a while the thing is just writing itself. My approach is not to shy away from anything that comes to mind and once I have a rough concept about the meaning of the lyrics I try to steer the ship in that direction.
Metal Lair: In “Vasgyár,” you touch on the theme of Hungary’s industrial past. Is there a juxtaposition between personal nostalgia and the “rusted-out” historical landmarks symbolize for you?
Tamás Kátai: Vasgyár, meaning Iron Foundry is not about personal nostalgia. It’s an allegory of our society and its situation that seemingly has not changed a lot since the communist era where violent industrialization took over in a mostly agricultural country in the early 50s. We seem to be back in many aspects.
Metal Lair: “How does the inclusion of Hungarian folklore and traditional sounds fit within the larger context of extreme metal? Do you see it as a way to keep Hungarian identity alive within a genre that’s often globalized?”
Tamás Kátai: This is not something I am concerned about. My musical background happens to be rooted in Hungarian and Central European culture and evidently it shines through my music and lyrics whatever I do. But I have no further agenda with this.
Metal Lair: “I’d love to hear your perspective on the current music scene in Hungary. Specifically, what does the metal scene look like today? How has it evolved in recent years?”
Tamás Kátai: Small with some really good young and not so young bands. Most of us know each other, many of us have worked together on a project or band. We have some internationally known bands but the local underground also has some diamonds in the rough.
Metal Lair: Your album title, XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezutánjönnek which translates to “The Beautiful Dreams Will Come After This.” What does this phrase mean to you personally, and how does it encapsulate the themes explored in the album?
Tamás Kátai: This is the title of the last song of the album and for me it’s about a glimpse of hope amidst the eternal darkness.
Metal Lair: The video for the title track shows surreal, almost nightmarish imagery, with scenes of your doppelgänger appearing to be digging his own grave. How do these visuals tie into the larger narrative of the album, and what does the “grave-digging” imagery symbolize for you?
Tamás Kátai: It was just an idea to connect the video with the previous one from the last album. In the Néma vermek video I was digging on a field that was just a couple of miles away from this shooting location and I thought it would be interesting to bring the scene into this new video as well as a symbol of continuation. It’s not digging a grave in the video though. It’s a person trying to dig his past, without any success.
Metal Lair: You’ve said this album is an “introspective journey through the night.” What role does darkness play in your music, both literally and metaphorically? Is there an inevitable progression from darkness to light in your sound?
Tamás Kátai: Darkness is mystery and excitement for me. Darkness needs light to reach its potential. We need balance in life and it also applies to music. We need the contrasts.
Metal Lair: “XII” features an extensive list of guest musicians, more than any previous Thy Catafalque album. What prompted you to invite so many collaborators on this record, and what unique contributions did they bring to the overall sound and atmosphere of the album?
Tamás Kátai: The main idea was to achieve an organic and natural sound and in order to achieve this I was trying to use real instruments whenever it was possible instead of virtual ones. Hence the army of musicians. I think the album is not overwhelmed with all the instruments of the universe, it’s just a nice extra touch here and there. They do elevate the experience and warm up the sound definitely.
Metal Lair: You mentioned working with an outside producer for the first time on “XII” (Gábor Vári). How did his influence affect the sound of the album, and what did he bring to the table that differed from your previous approaches to production?
Tamás Kátai: He brought in professionalism that I have always been lacking. He just knows how to make the right sound for my ideas. I felt I had reached my limits with the previous albums and I needed some changes in the sound production department. Any changes in fact.
Metal Lair: In terms of your songwriting, do you start with a particular emotion or atmosphere in mind, or is it more of an organic evolution of sounds and themes as the music develops?
Tamás Kátai: Organic most of the time. Just sitting down to play something and then we’ll see.
Metal Lair: Your music features a striking mix of black metal, symphonic, and progressive elements. How do you balance the raw, aggressive side of black metal with the more melodic and atmospheric moments? Is there ever a conscious decision to push the boundaries in one direction over the other?
Tamás Kátai: Again, it’s a natural way of songwriting, just going to a direction that feels right. My thing is not to say no to anything if it feels ok. I have no rules that many bands have, like we are a metal band and we want to play metal and nothing else. I don’t mind genres.
Metal Lair: Do you ever worry about alienating genre purists who may prefer more traditional styles over blending a diversity of genres?
Tamás Kátai: Nope. I am selfish, I do this for myself.
Metal Lair: The album explores themes of time and change. As someone who has been creating music for over two decades, how do you reflect on your own personal growth within Thy Catafalque? How does this introspection manifest itself in your music?
Tamás Kátai: The music changed with me and that’s why my latest albums are different to the early ones. It’s a natural shift, this is how life works, this is how time works and the music reflects my changes personally. I’m at peace with this.
Metal Lair: Your album “XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezutánjönnek” reflects a deep connection to Hungarian history and personal nostalgia. How does your cultural background influence the music and lyrics of Thy Catafalque, and how do you balance personal storytelling with broader themes of history and place?
Tamás Kátai: Of course my cultural background influenceswhat I do and how I express myself. I write about what interests me or what I feel important to say. There are many more things I rather not talk about in lyrics. I don’t use music to shout out everything I have inside, I have other means to sort that out.
Metal Lair: As the driving force behind Thy Catalf, how has your musical vision undergone a metamorphosis from the band’s early black metal roots? What inspired the shift towards the avant-garde metal sound that defines your music now?
Tamás Kátai: I have changed and with it the music and the lyrics also changed. It’s not something that needs too much explanation, it’s a natural process. Black metal and other branches of extreme music is still a part of the Thy Catafalque world and I love the power of the riff but it is just one element here among others now and not the absolute main one that it used to be.
Metal Lair: Growing up, did you always know that music was your path? What bands or artists had the biggest influence on you during your formative years?
Tamás Kátai: Nah, I still don’t feel like a real musician. One day my urge to compose might be gone and the well will go dry, I am aware of that. But so far, I am having fun with it. My first big influence was Kraftwerk with Die Mensch-Maschine album and the first two Jean-Michel Jarre albums. I still love them. My first metal album was a concert record from the German heavy metal band Stormwitch. And then came what always comes, Metallica, Slayer, Death and the rest, you know the drill.
Metal Lair: With such introspective and personal themes running through your music, how do you disconnect from it all when you step away from the creative process? What do you do to recharge or step out of the headspace you create in your music?
Tamás Kátai: Going on hiking in the Scottish Highlands. Highlight of my year in May.
Metal Lair: With the release of “XII,” do you feel there is a new direction for Thy Catafalque, or is this just another phase in an ever-evolving musical journey? What can fans expect from you in the future?
Tamás Kátai: This is current album, nothing more and I have no plans whatsoever. We’ll have some shows for the next year already booked but that’s it. I never plan recordwise, it’s better to face what life gives when it gives it. It’s more exciting.
Metal Lair: Its been a real pleasure chatting with you. We’ve all been really enjoying your music here at Metal Lair! Do you have any last words for your fans?
Tamás Kátai: Thank you very much for having me.
Purchase Thy Catafalque’s new album XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek here
Tracklist:
1. Piros Kocsi, Fekete Éj (4:12)
2. Mindenevö (6:35) [WATCH]
3. Vasgyár (6:18)
4. Világnak Világa (6:28)
5. Nyárfa, Nyírfa (2:53)
6. Lydiához (3:05)
7. Vakond (4:29)
8. Ködkiraly (7:58)
9. Aláhullás (3:48)
10. A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek (3:14) [WATCH]
11. Babylon (Bonus Track – Omega Cover) (3:42) [LISTEN]
Lineup:
Attila Bakos – Vocals
Martina Veronika Horváth – Vocals
Tamás Kátai – Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Program, Additional Vocals
Thy Catafalque Online:
