ALBUM REVIEW: Mezolit – Live At Fekete Zaj – Thy Catafalque
When it comes to bands releasing live albums, it’s usually established acts who have done many tours and have honed their live show countless times resulting in the songs being captured for posterity. What doesn’t happen very often (if ever at all) is a band’s very first ever live show is recorded and brought out as a live document. But that’s exactly what Hungarian avant-garde metal band THY CATAFALQUE have done and that must be applauded – even more so when you listen to the whole show.
While the band, the project of main man Tamás Kátai, is definitely established, having been around since 1998 and with a string of studio albums under their belts (the most recent being last year’s Vadak), they have never played live before and this is why their debut show at Hungary’s Fekete Zaj festival is captured in all its glory in this vinyl and Blu-Ray release to signify this grand moment so you can see and hear the gig the nearest you can without having been there. Of course, if you were lucky enough to have been there, this would make it extra special.
Extremely impressive is the fact that Kátai is joined at the show by 26 guest musicians who combine to present a career-spanning document of THY CATAFALQUE in all its glory, and the grandeur of the music is shown off here perfectly. Epic black metal combines with dizzying experimental, jazz, progressive, avant-garde and traditional Hungarian influences to create a unique listening experience and the whole set here has the air of something truly special being captured.
THY CATAFALQUE‘s performance on the night consisted of five different sets (with songs on each one from a particular album) and saw Kátai joined by different vocalists on each part as many musicians helped bring the music of THY CATAFALQUE to life. This adds to the special feeling that the gig has, with Kátai proving to be a masterful musician throughout.
With so many musicians aiding this live performance, it is a difficult task to single them out as they all add their own pieces to the performance but a special mention has to go to guest vocalists Martina Horváth and Ivett Dudásne who perform set three of the performance (from the Meta album). The pair’s utterly beautiful and bewitching vocals elevate the music in the most sublime way with a cover of Embersólyom by Hungarian folk band KALÁKA starting the trio of songs before ending beautifully with a gorgeous version of Sirály.
From start to finish, this is metal in its grandest and most decadent form, with a sound that draws you in and won’t let go. All the different sounds and vibes combine to make this such an eclectic event, with all aspects of the music of THY CATAFALQUE catered for brilliantly. Since this live document was recorded, the band have played a string of other lives dates and will hopefully do many more, and if you ever get the chance that should definitely be checked out. Until then though, Mezolit – Live At Fekete Zaj is the next best thing so immerse yourself in the glory of THY CATAFALQUE in this grand celebration of their unique music.
Rating: 8/10
Mezolit – Live At Fekete Zaj is set for release on November 25th via Season Of Mist.
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