Active since 2020 Katoaja is a Finnish band that sit in a progressive metal landscape which has expanded horizons in terms of atmosphere and influences over the years. Releasing three previous singles to the marketplace, the quintet smartly set themselves up for this debut album What We Witness. Over the course of these seven tracks, you’ll discover a wide range of compact to longer compositions, some exploring outer dimensions of ambiance and sonic texture while others pushing musicianship parameters. As such, the multi-level experience ensures a diverse offering that can clutch deeper resonance through successive passes.
Djent sequences sit next to a jangly, progressive metal swirl of bass, keyboard, guitar, and drum infusion to take “The Sinking Cathedral” into an early highlight, the fluid bass touches of Matias Ärrälä as well as exotic keyboard parts from Unto Luoto allowing vocalist Juho Kiviniemi to use his scathing extreme melodies next to his mysterious whispers or semi-gothic clean delivery. When the band choose to go for reflective, slower shades of color, they never dismiss the possibility of heaviness as contrast – check out the alluring background vocal harmonies next to the crunchy riffs and pounding drums on “Nangijala”, where the instrumental section near the back end has this tranquil swaying feel between the introspective guitar lines and steady tribal-like plodding drum tempo. Never fear progressive metal mavens as those who want more virtuoso-oriented, time signature mastery will find plenty to digest between songs like the ten-minute opener “Nothing and Nothing More” as well as the very focused “The Great Under”. Drilling deep into social themes which delve upon personal human anguish and a yearning for faith in higher powers – these lyrical topics are worthy of exploration to fit the broad musical landscape these gentlemen deliver.
Imagine taking in aspects of early Genesis next to Gojira or Opeth while also dipping your toes in some Pain of Salvation or smoother Dream Theater leanings, and you’ll have a hint as to what Katoaja serve up on What We Witness. Living up to the unpredictable, dangerous nature described in the background information for the press kit, this is one of those groups that will be worth keeping your eyes on as they’ve opened an intriguing playbook right away that should only get more adventurous and fruitful over time.