Triumphs, tragedies, rebirths and upheavals… Life is often defined by its moments of revelation. 15 years into a career that has seen them become one of metal’s most ruthlessly individual and uplifting bands, AMARANTHE are about to make their most definitive and revealing move. Three years on from the widely acclaimed Manifest, Sweden’s masters of thunderous, melodic futurism are about to unveil The Catalyst.
Formed in 2008, AMARANTHE walked their own unique path from the start. With a sound that combined the sharpest, cutting edges of melodic metal, electronic rock and razor-sharp pop, their impact was immediate and undeniable. Kicking off with their self-titled debut in 2011, the Swedes blazed a trail through the European metal scene and beyond, swiftly establishing themselves as a dazzling one-off, not least due to the unprecedented triple vocal attack that paired clean tones with exquisite melodic sensibilities and feral growls. Over the next few years, the sextet steadily grew in stature, releasing a series of praised studio records that jabbed persistently at the boundaries of modern metal.
From 2013’s fiery The Nexus and its immaculate follow-up Massive Addictive, through to the experimental bravery of 2016’s Maximalism and 2018’s Helix (which saw the arrival of Dynazty vocalist Nils Molin, replacing the departing Jake E), AMARANTHE have been an unwavering breath of invigorating fresh air, renowned for absurdly catchy and crushing pop-metal anthems and for euphoric, eye-popping live performances all over the globe.
Fast forward to 2023, and change is in the air. Pieced together over the last three years, The Catalyst is a self-evident breakthrough moment, and the most exhilarating and idiosyncratic record AMARANTHE have ever made.
One major contributory factor to this impressive forward stride is the arrival of AMARANTHE’s latest new member. Slotting in neatly alongside Elize Ryd and Nils Molin is the band’s new master of growls, Mikael Sehlin.
Now fully installed as the sixth piece of the AMARANTHE jigsaw – alongside Olof Mörck, Elize Ryd, Nils Molin, bassist Johan Andreasson and drummer Morten Løwe Sørensen – Mikael Sehlin can be heard revelling in his new creative partnerships on The Catalyst.
Due for release early in 2024, The Catalyst fully delivers on the promise of its title. AMARANTHE have always been original thinkers and maverick songwriters, but never with as much power and panache as they demonstrate this time around. Both their finest album to date and a collection of songs that deftly redefine every aspect of the Swedes’ sound, The Catalyst is destined to propel its creators ever higher up the modern metal ladder. For Olof Mörck, it represents the culmination of 15 years of hard work and the breathless pursuit of a wholly original musical vision. Change is inevitable. Victory is assured.
