Kataan is a New Hampshire-based "dystopian" Death Metal band comprised of Nicholas Thornbury on guitar and vocals and Brett Boland on drums and bass. This is their self-titled, debut EP, released on Prosthetic Records on May 7, 2021.

One of the immediately noticeable and stand out features of this EP is the lack of obvious influence from traditional Death Metal. This is not necessarily surprising; Thornbury and Boland were members of prominent Post Metal and Blackgaze bands VATTNET VISKAR and ATRONOID, respectively. As a result, the songs on this EP sound less like MORBID ANGEL and more like DEAFHEAVEN, with little touches of CARCASS and DEATH thrown in for good measure.

The EP opens with the track "Erase," a five-minute and 38 second-long epic that launches us headfirst into the dystopian world Kataan so masterfully constructs. Thornbury's growls are brutal and raw, adding to the intense wall of sound created by the reverb-drenched guitar layers and Boland's ferocious drumming. Next is the song "Abyss," which builds upon the atmospheric influences from the previous track. Here, Thornbury complements the mix beautifully by adding in some clean vocals before bringing us back into his haunting chasm of dual guitar lines.

"Processor", the lead single from "Kataan," begins with the most brutal riff on the EP yet. Teeming with influences from the Swedish Prog-Death group EDGE OF SANITY, "Processor" is a melodic banger through and through, as Thornbury sings of how, "the end has come and gone," with little hope left for planet Earth. Another stand out feature of this song is, once again, Boland's drumming, as his barrage of double kick drums would give even Gene Hoglan a run for his money. Finally, the EP closes on its longest track, "Vessel." Following an anthemic chorus replete with beautiful clean vocals from Thornbury and IRON MAIDEN-esque harmonies, the track launches us into another devastating riff that conjures up images of guys with long hair headbanging as hard as they can. After a doomy riff that sounds vaguely reminiscent of PALLBEARER, the track ends with a section of gradually receding harmonies before stopping just suddenly as the EP started.

All in all, if you enjoy Blackgaze and Melo-Death acts like ALCEST and AT THE GATES respectively, you're going to love this EP. Thornbury and Boland's attention to melodic detail is awe-inspiring, and fans of their previous work will truly dig this new material. Kataan's self-titled debut is definitely a sign of good things to come.