Katatonia

No matter how brightly the sun shines, sorrow will always cast its ageless shadow across the human soul. Expressing that eternal sadness is an art in itself, and over the last two decades, Swedens masters of melancholy Katatonia have firmly established themselves as the most passionate and skilful exponents of the form.

Formed by vocalist/drummer Jonas Renkse and guitarist Anders Nystrm in Stockholm in 1991, the band emerged from the amorphous maelstrom that was the nascent death/doom metal scene; a darker, more emotionally resonant sibling to the ongoing extreme metal world, and one that offered a new and more humane perspective on lifes darker days.

The bands first releases, the Jhva Elohim MethThe Revival EP and debut album Dance Of December Souls may have seemed to draw from the same set of influences that inspired like-minded bands across the North Sea like Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride, but by the time Katatonia arrived at 1996s Brave Murder Day (which featured guest vocals from Opeths Mikael kerfeldt), the band had already begun to plough their own tearful furrow.

Initially we had no masterplan, says Renkse today. All we wanted was a band of our own, as we were totally devoured by the death and doom metal scene that was happening. It wasnt until later that we could actually carve out our own space and see things with a broader perspective. Katatonia has become a philosophy, at least for ourselves, since it is pretty much all we have. Its dark and personal music and lyrics, no matter what the environment around us.

In 1998, Katatonia released Discouraged Ones, an album that saw them step away from more traditional doom-laden atmospheres into an increasingly distinctive sonic world. Incorporating a wide variety of influences, from gothic rock to dark folk, the bands evolution was gathering pace and their songwriting was maturing accordingly. With Jonas Renkse stepping away from the drum stool to focus on his role as vocalist, the Katatonia sound became more focused and intense on 1999s Tonights Decision; a bravura collection of downbeat hymns to the void that set the tone for the new decade that followed.

Most of our evolution has occurred naturally, explains Renkse. We started as Paradise Lost fanboys, but now I think we have a different sound, something we have crafted over the years. With every new album we try to push the boundaries of songwriting and expand the concept of Katatonia without abandoning our foundation and roots.

As the 21st century has progressed, Katatonia have become one of the most revered and cherished of all bands in the modern heavy music firmament. Through extensive touring and a steady stream of superlative studio releases, including 2001s classic Last Fair Deal Gone Down and its coruscating 2003 follow-up Viva Emptiness, the Swedes have spread their baleful gospel across the globe, refining and redefining themselves with every step into new territory. With 2006s The Great Cold Distance and, in particular, 2009s universally acclaimed Night Is The New Day, Katatonia have stretched beyond their roots in the metal scene and drawn in fans from all across the musical spectrum, not least in the progressive rock realm that has also embraced peers like Opeth and Anathema in recent times.

In August 2012 the band released Dead End Kings, their ninth studio album and their most successful to date. The album marked another step in this journey towards a more progressive sound.

Dead End Kings was recorded with a new line-up, in which Renkse and Nystrm were joined by guitarist Per Eriksson, bassist Niklas Sandin and drummer Daniel Liljekvist. Together they created a rich, adventurous and endlessly evocative masterwork that exhibits all the Swedish quintets established traits while absorbing countless fresh ideas into that monumental sonic brew.

Dead End Kings represents progression and taking things to the next level, concludes Renkse. The writing was a little more intense and spontaneous for this one. I think thats the biggest difference. But it was made with the same mindset as the last few albums. It just had a little more fire involved. We dont want to repeat ourselves. We are still hungry for new music.

The band return in September 2013 with Dethroned and Uncrowned, their first album for Kscope, the sister label to Peaceville, the band's home for the past 14 years. Dethroned and Uncrowned allows them to explore the progressive elements of Dead End Kings further as they have reworked the album, creating new moods and textures while still staying truthful to the core of the songs.

Guitarist and founding member Anders Nystrm explains how the band have revisted the album, the synopsis is simple and album title wont lie; the drums will be dethroned and the distorted rhythm guitars will be uncrowned! Instead, well place the emphasis on the many layers of ambience, with the melodies staying central and the vocal harmonies representing the heart of the album.'