Katatonia was formed in 1991 by Anders Nyström and Jonas Renske & their debut album, ‘Dance of December Souls’, was released in 1993, gaining the band recognition for their eclectic brand of gothic doom/death metal & joining acts such as Paradise Lot & My Dying Bride as one of the genre’s defining bands. On future albums a newer, sleeker Katatonia sound came to the fore, starting with a streamlined & structured collection of melodic dark rock songs that became third album ‘Discouraged Ones’; the main evolution point for modern day Katatonia.
On the back of the monumental & most successful album to date, 2006’s ‘The Great Cold Distance’ - including 3 singles & American & European tours - Katatonia took their time with their next steps, while Anders & Jonas also remained busy with death metal group Bloodbath, alongside Mikael & Martin from Opeth.
‘Night is the New Day’ is Katatonia’s eighth studio album. It was recorded throughout July 2009 & was co-produced, engineered and mixed by David Castillo. Recording was divided between Studio Mega (for drums) and Ghost Ward Studios, where most recording took place & which provided a dose of inspiration from the darker corners of life with it’s choice of location, as Anders describes:
“Broken glass, blood on the walls at the front door to the building and threatening messages written on the elevator - Even excrement and urine on the floor in the basement that makes you wonder if the caretaker is a serial killer himself”
Mastering was completed at Fascination Street Studios (where ‘The Great Cold Distance’ was recorded) with Jens Bogren.
A continuation of the heaviness, depth & atmosphere of their previous album, ‘Night Is the New Day’ is also a more multi-dimensional effort - waltzing between prog moments, doom, folk & the classic melodic anthems that are the staple of Katatonia’s uncompromising sound, completed by the haunting tones of Jonas Renkse’s vocal journeys of urban & emotional decay.
Here is the full tracklist:
Forsaker
The Longest Year
Idle Blood
Onward Into Battle
Liberation
The Promise Of Deceit
Nephilim
New Night
Inheritance
Day & Then The Shade
Ashen (*Swedish Edition CD and Vinyl Edition bonus track)
Departer