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IV

Naryan

This was an excellent album, combining what heavy emotional music can offer when it intersects with melody. I don’t get a lot of KATATONIA’s sound here, but that’s OK, because the band should be able to stand on their own, and they do. It’s rich, memorable, and leaves a lasting impression.
April 1, 2026

Bandcamp had this to say about the band: "Melancholic rock from Finland with elements of crossover, metal and symphonic delivered by electric and organic instruments. Think RIVERSIDE meets ANATHEMA meets KATATONIA wrapped up in lush orchestration." The album has ten songs, and "Pretending" is first. Melancholic, indeed. Piano and guitar combine with emotional vocals to carry a melodic sound. It is a bit on the sad side however, but there is feeling in the music. "Ramble" has a charged sound that start off innocuous and blossoms into heavy emotional weight. They use well-placed crescendos to make sure you don't forget. "All of My Life" begins with clean tones, and that heavy weight is still very much there. Like a rock in the pit of your stomach, it stays with you and never goes away. It almost sounds like a song of regret for me.

"It All Comes Down to Darkness" is aptly titled, because it does sound like the band took a turn down a dark alley to somewhere unfamiliar. The slow pace and string notes help you get there visually, and the strings weep like someone crying. "Other World" is another slow, melancholic song that drips with emotion. The chorus delivers a big punch with harmonized vocals, and you can feel the pressure rise when it hits. "Tale Full of Wonders" is another piano and string led song that is again quite emotionally heavy. Female vocals make an appearance here, and they are delicate and gentle, matching the sound in the music. "Over the Edge" has firmer sound from a crunchy guitar riff, but still has the orchestration that is part of the band's signature. This song is faster, and hastier, hinting at the title of what happens when you journey over the edge.

"6th of September" closes the album. I am guessing the date means something to the band, or even the album, but I can't find any real clues as to what that might be. In any case, it's as if the band turned up the emotional dial to as high as it can go. It leaves me wanton. This was an excellent album, combining what heavy emotional music can offer when it intersects with melody. I don't get a lot of KATATONIA's sound here, but that's OK, because the band should be able to stand on their own, and they do. It's rich, memorable, and leaves a lasting impression.

Tags:

8 / 10

Excellent

Songwriting

8

Musicianship

8

Memorability

8

Production

9
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"IV" Track-listing:

1. Pretending

2. Ramble

3. Nevertheless

4. All of My Life

5. It All Comes Down to Darkness

6. Other World

7. Tale Full of Wonders

8. Inner Soldier

9. Over the Edge

10. 6th of September

 

Naryan Lineup:

Unknown

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