Since their debut in the now distant 2009, the Swedes Amaranthe have opted for a risky formula within the metal scene, but which little by little has been gaining followers and breaking down the barriers that the most purists considered. they have wanted to impose. Now, with his new album, 'The Catalyst', he has taken a new step forward but without taking too many risks and taking that formula to a new level.
Although the band had tried to walk in a somewhat different direction with their 2020 album 'Manifest', they have decided to return to the sound that already characterizes them and polish it, in addition to adding great dynamism that the voice of their band brings to it. new vocalist, Mikael Sehlin, who combines with great fluidity with Elize Ryd and Nils Molin.
With 'The Catalyst', the band did not want to complicate things, nor try things that are not within their spectrum. It is a concise album with short songs, which never exceed four minutes, with lyrics full of criticism of today's society but also of optimism.
Catchy, fast, powerful songs are what abound in this new album. After listening to songs like 'Insatiable' or the one that gives the album its theme, 'The Catalyst', they are going to stick with you. days and days; while 'Damnation Flame' is a much more operatic and theatrical theme with symphonic and gothic elements.
Of course and as always, Amaranthe plays with a lot of genres throughout its productions. From the most pop moments, electronic passages, pieces that can compete with some death metal band in terms of heaviness and also as always, everything seems to fit perfectly as if from their creation they were designed to coexist with each other.
'The Catalyst' is not an album that is going to reinvent the style of Amaranthe at all, it is not thinking of achieving a reformulation of what the band has been for 15 years, but it consolidates and strengthens the image that we already have of them and it does it very well. We'll see how long it can last or if they are simply becoming complacent with themselves and feel too comfortable in what they do, but therefore, they offer solid and highly enjoyable work.
