Catamenia – Cavalcade (2010)

Back in the day Catamenia used to play Melodic Black Metal and was considered just another band in the bunch. We have slowly seen how this band has been evolving into a more complex beast and it has been shedding its skin release after release until now.

“Cavalcade” shows a finally mature band that plays a very interesting sounding ‘Blackened’ Power Metal. You still get the Black Metal shrieks, however the music structure is very Power Metal like, and its brilliant. The band finally polished its sound and after interesting releases we finally get a great one.

Hailing from Finland, were the musical standards for bands are so high. Catamenia has finally lived up to its expectations and created their own sound while staying aggressive and true to their principles. Featuring a wide assortment of melodic riffs, this release is one the first essential must have albums of 2010.

The guitar work is excellent and the riffing will have you craving for more once this album is done. You get some hints of Black Metal in the riffing, along with the more simple and traditional Power Metal structures. This is probably what I would argue the best part of this album. Complemented by clean vocals, growls, and shrieks, you can’t really ask for more.

Some songs are beautiful palettes of these intricate mixture of genres like “Silence”, by far our favorite song of the album. Over the whole album you get the traditional Catamenia sound well polished and ready for world domination. But don’t think it’s all melody and happy songs, Catamenia can still kick ass at brutal songs like in “Quality Of Sadness”.

Catamenia has release one, if not the best, album of their careers and should be recognized for this. While most bands are always trying to re-hash what has worked for them in the past, it’s great to see that the experimentation process this band went through actually paid off with a very unique sounding music. Go and get this release and be ready to headbang from start till end, especially with the “Angry Again” cover.

Release: February 26th, 2010

Country: Finland