Behind the Video: Thy Catafalque Discuss Their Insatiable Video for “Mindenevő”

When you’re twelve albums into your musical career like Thy Catafalque, you’ve hopefully had time to experiment and try different things. The Hungarian band is back with their brand new album, A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek, due for release on November 15th via Season of Mist. Through more than 20 years, the band has pushed the envelope of extreme metal, and with this new album, the envelope has been pushed as far as it has ever been. Led by Tamás Kátai, they have taken a step beyond the genre’s boundaries with each passing album. This is saying a lot considering that extreme metal naturally consumes a unique, and at times controversial, place within the grander scheme of heavy metal.

Through ten new tracks, A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek is the most daring record the band has ever assembled. But it also revisits the heaviness of their earlier work. If you’re an old-school, no-nonsense metalhead, then you’ll probably find a lot to like with this album. And it’s admirable for the fact that they could just continue what they have been doing, but instead have chosen to expand their sound. Interestingly enough, this album was recorded all over the world. From their home country of Hungary to England, Romania, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, Greece, North Macedonia, Israel, the U.S.A., Colombia, and Brazil.

Joining us today for a Behind the Video interview is Kátai to discuss the band’s latest music video for “Mindenevő.”

Who directed the video?

Tamás Kátai: “The video was directed, shot and edited by G13 Films, Poland.”

Did the band have a concept in mind based on the song? Or was the video creator given full reign to come up with a suitable visual companion?

“We had a clear concept of the video that I submitted to the guys and we followed it more or less during the shooting. Actually, the screenplay was created by an old friend of mine, Viktória Varga, who had been appearing on the records several times earlier, and she is performing a narrative role on the new album as well.”

Where was it shot?

“The shooting took place in Wroclaw, Poland.”

What was your favourite part behind the creation of the video?

“The travel from Hungary to Poland and the train trip within Poland, from Warsaw to Wroclaw. We had three days in the country and I loved every minute of it. Both Warsaw and Wroclaw are fantastic cities. Also, this was the first time I was involved in a video of this magnitude, with a whole group of professionals working around. Great experience and a nice memory for the future.”

Thy Catafalque ‘XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek’ album artwork

Based on how this one was made, are you looking forward to doing another?

“Sure, it would be stellar to shoot another video of this quality for the next album.”

What are some of your favourite music videos? What about when you were growing up?

“I was growing up on the early and mid-’90s music videos on Headbangers Ball and Metalla from Germany, so that era is everything for me. I still have many VHS tapes I recorded back then full of metal videos.”

Which band or artist do you think had the greatest music videos?

“I don’t really have favourite anythings. But now that I am thinking about metal, I especially adore ‘Rapture’ and ‘God of Emptiness’ from Morbid Angel. Those old-school videos are perfect, just like the music. Speaking about other genres I love Nick Cave and his videos.”

Do you prefer writing a video around the theme of a song or just going to a warehouse and banging out a live performance?

“This metal band playing in a warehouse or a junkyard is an exceptionally tired concept and I think it’s much harder to do it well and in a fresh and exciting way than any more artistic visions. But sometimes it feels more honest than shooting something conceptual.”

How important are music videos in terms of increased exposure?

“They are still very important, this is the visual side of the music and they can reach a lot more people than the audio itself. And they are pretty much more expensive to produce as well.”

Is a well-made DIY video just as good or beneficial as a professionally made/directed video?

“Sure it can be if you have a brilliant idea behind it.”

High-quality lyric video, live video, cinematic music video… What’s your preferred format and why?

“I don’t like lyric videos at all, they just feel cheap. Live and cinematic music videos are the way to go.”