IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Aoria album preview

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:57:26 -0700

Preview two tracks from "The constant", the upcoming debut album from Swedish melancholy/melodic doom/metal act Aoria. The band features members from acts such as A Swarm of the Sun, October Tide and Katatonia and will definitely appeal to like-minded fans of such acts. Official release: October 10 via Version Studio Records on LP/CD/digital.

Switchblade - s/t (2012) (teaser)

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:25:58 -0700

2 minutes isn't much to go on when it comes to Switchblade, but that's all you get in this teaser for their upcoming album. The album will be self-titled as always and will feature guest spots from Per Wiberg (ex-Opeth, Candlemass) on organ plus vocals from Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), David Johansson (Kongh) and The Cuckoo (Terra Tenebrosa). Official release is September 21 via Trust No One Recordings (Sweden) and Denovali Records (everywhere else).

Katatonia - Dead letters

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 14:36:51 -0700

"Dead letters" is the first preview track off the new Katatonia album "Dead end kings", due out August 27. Get a free download in exchange for an email address here.

New Katatonia confirmed

Tue, 29 May 2012 22:35:18 -0700

Katatonia has confirmed that their new album "Dead end kings" will be released on August 27 via Peaceville Records. Full details here.

Aversionline revisits "Discouraged ones"

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:35:44 -0700

Aversionline revisits Katatonia's classic album "Discouraged ones", heralding it as one of his all-time favorites: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2011/10/07/katatonia-discouraged-ones-cd-lp-2xlp/
While I'm slightly more partial to the follow-up "Tonight's decision", there's no denying that this is a stellar record.

Hellbound interviews Katatonia

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:10:15 -0700

Canadian metal site Hellbound talks to guitarist/songwriter Anders Nyström of Katatonia about the band's 20th anniversary and their upcoming tour with Opeth: http://www.hellbound.ca/2011/09/katatonia-twenty-years-down-the-road/

Last Fair Day Gone Night

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:17:38 -0700

Katatonia will be doing a few separate headlining gigs in the US when they come over to tour with Opeth next month: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=16679

Opeth + Katatonia tour

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:17:59 -0700

Lambgoat reports that Opeth will be doing a 7-week US tour this fall to support the release of their new album "Heritage" and will be bringing along fellow Swedes Katatonia for the trip: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=16324

New Svart vinyl coming soon

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:58:20 -0800

Finnish vinyl fetishists Svart Records will be releasing the LP version of Oranssi Pazuzu's excellent black-metal/dub record "Muukalainen puhuu" in the near future in a "delirious glow-in-the-dark gatefold" edition that will probably be well-worth the ridiculous import price. They're also putting out a 2xLP reissue of Katatonia's brilliant "Discouraged ones" album with the "Saw you drown" EP tacked on as a bonus. No exact release dates for either, but they say they are currently being manufactured and should be ready in a month or two. Beyond that, I'm most stoked to see that they'll be doing a CMX 4xLP box this spring as there's zero chance of me ever finding anything by that band here in the US.

Katatonia, Swallow the Sun to tour US

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:38:38 -0700

Scandinavian doom acts Katatonia and Swallow the Sun will be doing a US tour together in September: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=14323

October Tide signs with Candlelight

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:54:35 -0700

Candlelight Records have announced the signing of Katatonia sideproject October Tide and will be releasing their new album this coming fall. The band's much-heralded 1997 album "Rain without end" was recently reissued by the label.

Manifestgalen 2010 nominees are go

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:43:31 -0800

The nominees for the 2010 Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative Grammy, have been announced:

Punk/Hardcore:
En Svensk Tiger - Versace style (Buzzbox records)
Troublemakers - Made in Sweden (Svindel)
Tysta Mari - Sveriges Casino (11743)
The Clichés - Monkey see, monkey do (Randale)

Dance:
Minilogue - Samlad årsproduktion
Samuel L Session - The man with the case (Be As One Imprint)
The Field - Yesterday and Today (Kompakt)
Tomas Andersson - Stiff Disco (Funk Noir)

Jazz:
Bengt Berger - Beches Brew (Country & Eastern)
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - The Half Naked Truth 1998-2008 (Moserobie)
The Opposite - Intertwined (Kopasetic)
Plunge With Bobo Stenson - Origo (Kopasetic)

Rhythm:
Calle Real - Me Lo Gané (Timba Records)
Jaqee - Kokoo Girl (Rootdown Records)
Music is the weapon - Music is the weapon (Music is the weapon)
Syster Sol - Dömd att bli bedömd (Swing Kids)

Rock:
Florence Valentin - Spring Ricco (Startracks)
Makeouts - In A Strange Land (Bachelor Records)
Murder by guitar - Murder by guitar (Jeet Kune Records)
Skriet - Skriet (Novoton)

Pop:
Anna Järvinen - Man var bland molnen (Häpna)
El Perro Del Mar - Love Is Not Pop (Licking Fingers)
JJ - JJ n° 2 (Sincerely Yours)
Jonathan Johansson - En hand i himlen (Hybris)

Hårdrock/Metal:
Abandon - The Dead End (Black Star Foundation)
Candlemass - Death Magic Doom (Nuclear Blast)
Katatonia - Night Is The New Day (Peaceville)
Tribulation - The Horror (Pulverised)

Synth:
Arvid - Andetag (Wonderland Records)
Dupont - Entering The Ice Age (Progress Productions)
Emmon - Closet Wanderings (Wonderland Records)
Rupesh Cartel - Anchor Baby (Megahype)

Singer/songwriter:
Ane Brun - Live at Stockholm Concert Hall (Balloon Rangers Recordings)
David Åhlen - We Sprout In Thy Soil (Compunctio)
Jonna Lee - This Is Jonna Lee (Razzia)
Kristofer Åström And The Rainaways - Sinkadus (Startracks)

Folk/ballad:
Taken By Trees - East of Eden (Rough Trade)
Miriam Aida - Letras au Brasil (Ajabu)
Tore Berger - I huset långt på landet (Brus & Knaster)
Esbjörn Hazelius - Blunda och du ska få se (Amigo)

Hip-hop:
Mohammed Ali - Processen (Bad Taste Records)
Organismen - Om Gud vill och vädret tillåter (Organismen)
Promoe - Kråksången (Pope Records)
Stor - Nya skolans ledare (Redline Records)

Best live:
Frida Hyvönen (Licking Fingers)
Jenny Wilson (Gold Medal Recordings)
Fever Ray (Rabid Records)
Florence Valentin (Startracks)

Best unsigned:
Den Svenska Björnstammen
Extended Heads
Fulmakten
Nora

Go here for more: http://www.manifestgalan.se/122.aspx

Katatonia - Day and then the shade (video)

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:36:37 -0800

Here is Katatonia's new video for the song "Day and then the shade": http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=100584079

PopMatters praises Katatonia

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:03:28 -0800

PopMatters gives high marks to the new Katatonia record "Night is the new day": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/115841-katatonia-night-is-the-new-day/

Katatonia to the UK in March

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:26:48 -0800

Katatonia will be touring the UK in March 2010:

03/09 - Academy 3, Manchester
03/10 - Nottingham, Basement
03/11 - Garage, London
03/12 - Hammerfest II, Prestatyn
03/13 - Cardiff, Barfly
03/14 - Academy 3, Birmingham

Katatonia video interview

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:22:40 -0800

Diskant has posted an extensive video interview with two of the guys from Swedish melodic doom-metal heavyweights Katatonia: http://www.diskant.dk/artikler/interviews/katatonia-video-interview.htm

Sirius playlist week #39

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:22:39 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Joensuu 1685 - I'm on fire
02. TALK 1
03. Boy Omega - Dinosaur drugs
04. Katatonia - Forsaker
05. Moloken - Die fear will
06. TALK 2
07. Rising - Dead kings
08. The Cardigans - Erase/rewind
09. The Amazing - Dragon
10. TALK 3
11. The First Miles - Black heart
12. [ingenting] - Medan vi sov
13. Skriet - Kärlekens land
14. TALK 4
15. Abandon - It's all gone

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Night is the new day

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:45:24 -0700

The microsite for Katatonia's new album "Night is the new day" is now open: http://nightisthenewday.com/

New Katatonia track available

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:13 -0700

Peaceville is giving away a new Katatonia track in exchange for your email address: http://www.burningshed.com/store/peaceville/freedownload/20/

New Katatonia has title, release date

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:57:58 -0700

The new Katatonia album will be called "Night is the new day" and will be released in Europe on October 19 via Peacevill Records. The North American release date will be October 27.

Sirius playlist week #25

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:25:09 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Samuraj Cities - 2 close 2 yr hrt
02. TALK 1
03. Pirate Love - Laughing gas
04. Fare You Well - Overload
05. Kap Kap - Steel wheels
06. TALK 2
07. Elmo - Two becomes one
08. Johndoe - Hardt som faen
09. The Black - On the descent to hell
10. The Amazing - Dragon
11. TALK 3
12. The Bear Quartet - I was a weapon
13. Aerial - All refrain
14. Mögel - Håll mig hårt
15. TALK 4
16. Je Suis Animal - Painted in my face
17. Katatonia - Deadhouse
18. Pixie Carnation - Little sister
19. Björn Kleinhenz - Show me love
20. TALK 5
21. New Decade - I guess you ran from something

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Bloodbath - Hades rising (video)

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:12:35 -0700

Swedish all-star old-school death metal act Bloodbath (feat. members from Katatonia, Opeth and Nocturnal Rites) now has a video for the song "Hades rising": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OfUVmfNk4E&fmt=18

Katatonia working on new album

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:15:57 -0700

Katatonia will be going into the studio later this month to work on their 8th album. Expect an October release via Peaceville.

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:05:17 -0700

Antenna talks to Anders Nyström of Katatonia: http://www.antenna.nu/?p=159

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:56:26 -0800

Celebrate the 21st anniversary of Mellotronen with the Melloboat Baltic cruise festival March 8-9. Acts confirmed include Anekdoten, Opeth, Mats & Morgan All Star Team ft. Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah), Ia Eklund (Freak Kitchen) and Lasse Hollmer (Samla Mammas Manna), Bo Hansson, Promise and the Monster, Comus, Katatonia and more. Go here for more details: http://www.myspace.com/melloboat

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:55:57 -0800

Katatonia will be going back into the studio this spring to record a new album. Expect a fall 2008 release.

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:46:32 -0800

Katatonia's moden classics "Tonight's decision" (my personal fave) and "Last fair deal gone down" have both been reissued in limited 2xLP 180gm vinyl special editions, complete with b-side bonus tracks culled from various singles. Details here: http://katatonia.com/knews/?p=126

MP3: Bay Laurel - Outside these walls

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:55:35 -0700

I spent quite a bit of time combing through my music archives looking for dark and scary music to use in my various Halloween playlists, naturally digging up quite a bit of my old goth and doomrock in the process. One of the bands that jumped out was Bay Laurel, a Swedish act that I probably first became aware of through Katatonia, back when I used to regularly check the current playlist section of their website to see what they were listening to. I discovered quite a few great acts that way- it led me to revisit Kent and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and got me into other stuff like Ben Christophers, Novembre and Madrugada. Bay Laurel actually reminds me a bit of Madrugada, come to think of it, at least their older material circa "Industrial silence". It strikes a similar mood the guitarists do a decent job of approximating Robert Burås' superb use of space. It also helps that Bay Laurel frontman Rikard Löfgren has a deep voice reminiscent of Sivert Høyem, though his lyrical aspirations don't quite match up. Still, I appreciate Rikard's incredibly earnest delivery even if he sometimes over-indulges in cliché. And the music is great; dark and heavy without crossing the line into metal. Too bad there aren't more bands like this around nowadays or, if there are, I'm certainly not hearing about 'em.

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:09:18 -0700

DJ Martian has the heads-up on a new progrock cruiseboat festival called Melloboat 2008 - 21st Anniversary Schizoid Boat: http://djmartian.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html#499307491658828382
It leaves Stockholm on March 8 and will feature artists such as Opeth, Katatonia, Mats & Morgan All Star Team, Anekdoten, Bo Hansson feat. Eric Malmberg and Niklas Korssell, Promise and the Monster, Emma Nordenstam, Martin Axenrot and more as well as a record convention and cult films.

MP3: Ghost Brigade - Horns

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:45:02 -0700

I was a little late to the game with Ghost Brigade's original 4-track demo, but once I finally got into it, I was stoked. Naturally, anticipation was high for the debut full-length "Guided by fire" which came out last month and I eagerly snatched up a copy as soon as I could. On the downside, and I'm not sure this is just familiarity speaking, the re-recorded demo tracks are definitely the early standouts. That's no terrible crime, but I was really hoping for something a bit more surprising. On the other hand, the rest of the record is plenty satisfying. The general formula remains the same: heavy, melancholic doom rock made more powerful by a killer lock-step rhythm section. Comparisons to Katatonia are inevitable, but I find that Ghost Brigade has a far rougher edge due to the use of gruff vocals and more mosh-heavy riffs. Ghost Brigade is also way more rawk. Unfortunately, that also means I can hear a stronger grunge influence lurking beneath the surface. Many of the clean vocals come awfully close to the yeee-ah croon of Eddie Vedder. It doesn't ruin the record, but it does make me cringe sometimes. When said clean vocals work though, they work quite well such as on the track I've posted today. The way the harmonies on the chorus trail off into dissonance is awesome. It's a great counterpoint to the thrashy verse riff and creates a welcome dynamic shift. The sung vocals at the end are nice as well - there's still a slight Alice in Chains/Stone Temple Pilots vibe in his timbre, but it's offset by the evil lyrics ("This time your god won't help you!"). I definitely prefer the darker, heavier stuff overall, but I respect that they're trying to develop a more original sound, a niche I think fans of both older (pre-clean vox) and newer (post-clean) Katatonia can appreciate.

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Fred Norrman of Katatonia just scored a new endorsement deal with Finnish guitar maker Amfisound. Read more and check out the details on his new custom model: http://katatonia.com/knews/?p=112

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Antenna delivers a short and to-the-point review of the new Katatonia live CD/DVD "Live consternation": http://antenna.nu/katatonia/liveconsternation.php

Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia will return to North America in September for their first headlining tour in this part of the world. Support will come from fellow Swedes Scar Symmetry plus Finnish acts Insomnium and Swallow the Sun. Dates:

09/04 - Jaxx West, Springfield, VA
09/06 - BB Kings, New York, NY
09/07 - Mark's Place, Bedford, NH
09/08 - Chance Theater, Poughkeepsie, NY
09/09 - Le Medley, Montreal, QC
09/10 - Imperial de Quebec, Quebec City, QC
09/11 - The Funhaus, Toronto, ON
09/12 - Peabody's, Cleveland, OH
09/13 - I-Rock, Detriot, MI
09/14 - The Pearl Room, Mokena, IL
09/15 - Station 4, St. Paul, MN
09/17 - Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO
09/19 - Whiskey, Hollywood, CA
09/20 - Showcase Theater, Corona, CA
09/21 - Brickhouse, Phoenix, AZ
09/22 - Launchpad, Albuqeruque, NM
09/24 - White Rabbit, San Antonio, TX
09/25 - Ridglea Theater, Ft. Worth, TX
09/26 - Scout Bar, Houston, TX

Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This week's playlist for my show on Sirius:

01. Kristofer Åström - The dark
02. TALK 1
03. Amandine - Better soil
04. Christel Alsos - What you gotta do
05. Tarantula - Two arrows
06. TALK 2
07. Kristin Asbjørnsen - I'm on my way
08. Thomas Denver Jonsson - Dreams at the film club
09. Tenderloud - Texas down
10. TALK 3
11. Hyacinth House - Ghost town
12. Strayfolk - I'll be a-goin'
13. The First Miles - Bottle, don't let me down
14. TALK 4
15. Hello Saferide - I was definitely made for these times
16. Hederos & Hellberg - I can't hold myself in line
17. Two Times the Trauma - I fell in love with an ocean
18. David Sandström Overdrive - The Fatville Treaty
19. HGH - Stupid song
20. TALK 5
21. Gorgoroth - Procreating Satan
22. Enslaved - The voices
23. Invocator - Breed of sin
24. TALK 6
25. Seance - Post mortem
26. Watain - Underneath the cenotaph
27. Dark Tranquility - Icipher
28. TALK 7
29. Eucharist - The Eucharist
30. At the Gates - Slaughter of the soul
31. Wolfbrigade - EU (European Union)
32. TALK 8
33. Katatonia - Had to (leave)
34. Bloodbath - Soul evisceration
35. Cult of Luna - The revelation embodied
36. TALK 9
37. Finntroll - Slaget vid blodsälv

Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the microsite for the new Katatonia live record "Live consternation": http://peaceville.com/liveconsternation/

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish doom act A Swarm of the Sun has now confirmed April 30 for the release of their new EP "The king of everything". The first single "I fear the end" is now available for download, both as a video and mp3: http://www.aswarmofthesun.com/
Recommended for fans of Katatonia and the like.

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia's set from the 2006 Summerbreeze Festival in Germany will be released as a double CD/DVD live album to be entitled "Live consternation" and released on May 28. Tracklist and coverart: http://katatonia.com/news.php

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia's new video for the song "July" is up on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLEogbdozHc

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Candlelight has posted a new Swallow the Sun track on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa
StS is Finland's leading melodic doom act; very comparable to Swedes Katatonia.

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Some new tourdates for Katatonia:

04/11 - Club Lua, Lisbon (POR)
04/12 - Teatro Sá da Bandeira, Porto (POR)
04/13 - Sala Caracol, Madrid (ESP)
04/14 - Sala Bikini, Barcelona (ESP)
04/15 - Sala Tunk, Guipuzcoa (ESP)

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia has selected the song "July" to be their next single. A video was shot by director Charlie Granberg and should be released soon. As for b-sides, the single will include the previously unreleased track "Unfurl" as well as a remix of "Soil's song" by fellow Swede Krister Linder. It comes out March 26, one month earlier for digital downloads.

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Dark Dose on Sonores: http://darkdose.com/?p=145
I passed the CD to Jesse when his band Daylight Dies passed through Seattle on tour with Katatonia and Moonspell. I didn't stick around for the latter (besides the fact that I'm not really a fan, it was raining hard and I had a long drive home), but the others were great. Good to read that he's enjoying the disc, just as I thought he would - it easily made to be one of my top picks from last year.

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia's most recent album "The great cold distance" has been remixed for 5.1 sound and will be reissued in a special 2CD digipack with the new mix on disc one and the original on two with two bonus tracks ("Displaced" and "Dissolving bonds"). It will be out on March 12.

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish melodic metal act Ghost Brigade will be entering the studio on January 6 with engineer Mikko Poikolainen to record their debut album for release on Season of Mist in 2007. In the meantime, the band's four-song demo is still available for download: http://www.ghostbrigade.net/ghostbrigade.rar
Imagine Katatonia with gruffer vocals and you'll have a good idea of what to expect. I dig it.

Top 10s for 2006: Andrew (Aversionline/Blodårstid)

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

2006's Top 10 Reasons Not to Blow Your Face Off... depending on how you look at it, I guess... and in no particular order:

• Katatonia, bless their hearts. And if you don't like 'em, stop reading and go on ahead and blow your face off, because there's nothing left for you to live for.

• "Rocky Balboa". I know it doesn't hit theaters until December, but this is gonna be the movie of the year. "Borat" was great and all, but he's got squat on the Italian Stallion (Or is it "Stallyn"?).

• Alec Baldwin exists.

• For me personally, finally buying "Murda Muzik" (starring Mobb Deep, of course)—quite possibly the finest cinematic experience in the history of all living things*—on DVD. 2006 was also the year in which I became eligible to state that I own every single Steven Seagal film on DVD (not including those in which he's not first-billed, mind you), so it was a huge year all around.

• Kevin Federline's "Playing With Fire" (which I still think he should have titled "Fed Up"). I don't actually own this CD (yet), but it contains the lyric, "Put your middle fingers up if you really don't give a fuck," and I just can't argue with that kind of logic.

• Wal-Mart brings back the use of "Christmas" instead of "holiday", thus re-winning the favor of comedy guru Bill O'Reilly... (yet still "The War on Christmas" rages on!)

• All those "Farting Preacher" videos are still utterly amazing.

• The fact that I'm such a smartass and have such oddball tastes in music that no one knows whether or not I'm serious when I say that the new Alien Ant Farm CD is certainly among the finest albums of the year. (And yes, I am serious.)

• "Walker, Texas Ranger—The Complete First Season" on DVD. 'Nuff said.

• Since this is It's a Trap and all... The Svetvas! Because, well... they're allegedly huge in Sweden!

*That was a lie. Everyone knows that "Rad" is the greatest movie ever made, so... it was both devious and uncouth for me to insinuate that there was even a remote possibility that "Murda Muzik" might be the finest cinematic experience in the history of all living things.

---------------------------

So says the author: My name is Andrew. I'm a nerd. I post "reviews" and such at Aversionline and Blodårstid. I sometimes post other ridiculous shit (much like the list above) at this other place. I also have a very tiny record label called Due Process, which will be releasing CD's that most people won't care about because they are dorks. Thank you, and goodnight

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Finland's Swallow the Sun has posted a few clips from their forthcoming album: http://www.070207.com/site/audio.php
Recommended for fans of Katatonia and the like.

MP3: Katatonia - O how I enjoy the light

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

It was pretty exciting to see Katatonia for the first time last night in Seattle. Not only have they been one of my long-time most favorite bands, but they've also introduced me to tons of new music through the recommended listening lists they used to post on their website. Paatos, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Ben Christophers, 16 Horsepower... I could go on and on. Yes, the irony of a Swedish band introducing me to American music has been sorely noted. So while I was greatly looking forward to the show, I was also skeptical as I've heard plenty of bad things about their live show. Even the band themselves admitted that their initial US debut at Milwaukee Metalfest some years back was a disaster and best left forgotten. Good news: my fears were laid to rest as Katatonia proved themselves to be plenty capable of delivering a solid performance with a good balance between old and new material (and to all your kvlt old-school fans: no, they did not play anything pre-"Discouraged ones"). They also graciously avoided common live metal clichés, such as always referring to the audience by the name of the city ("Hello Seattle!") and announcing songs in the metal voice ("This next one is called grrgsdlgjsgdsg!"). While all that's fine and good every so often, it gets old pretty damn fast. While there's still definitely room for improvement, I still left happy and felt fulfilled. As for today's download, instead of offering up one of the band's many would-be hits, I'm throwing a bone to you indie rockers with a Will Oldham cover. Enjoy!

Video mix: Katatonia, Nikola Sarcevic, Munck//Johnson, Frida Hyvönen, Thomas Dybdahl, more...

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia - Deliberation
Really looking forward to seeing these guys tonight for the first time ever. Not only are they one of my favorite bands, but their recommendations have led me to many more other amazing acts. (AR)

Logh - The contractor and the assassin
Someone's posted a Logh video previously, but that won't stop me from recommending this neat video and marvellous song, from my favourite Logh album ("The raging sun"). (ST)

Various Artists - Venn
It's like a Norwegian "We are the world"! (AR)

Nikola Sarcevic - Soul for sale (live on Swedish TV)
From a Swedish morning TV show. Nikola playing a nice little song from his latest album. (ST)

Munck//Johnson - This time
Emotionally brutal and sparse, just like their music. (AR)

Laakso - Aussie girl
One of the most party hard bands in Sweden – Laakso fronted by Pete Doherty-esque Markus Krunegard are now (one way or another) available in three languages... (JC)

Frida Hyvönen - The modern
Great video. Great song. Great artist. Buy her album! (ST)

Thomas Dybdahl - B A part
Latest single from his new album "Science". Quite possibly Norway's best current singer/songwriter - understated and lovely. (AR)

.:Who's who?

JC: Jason Christie
AR: Avi Roig
ST: Simon Tagestam

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Music (for Robots) on Katatonia: http://music.for-robots.com/archives/001677.html
I too am really looking forward to finally seeing them live for the first time.

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

DigitalMetal has the press release for the new album "Hope" from Finnish doom-metallers Swallow the Sun: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=7781
It comes out February 7 via Spinefarm and will feature guest appearances from Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis).

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I last mentioned back in January 2005, but it seems that the long-promised Katatonia tribute "December songs" to be released by German label Northern Silence will finally happen. Seventeen bands, eighteen songs, all concentrating on the band's earlier mid-90s era music plus cover art by the famed Kristian 'Necrolord' Wahlin, due out December 12 in both 2xCD and 2xLP gatefold format. Full tracklist and details here: http://www.northern-silence.de/files/katatonia_tribute.htm

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Peaceville has bought up the rights for all of Katatonia's back-catalogue from Avantgarde Music and will be reissuing all of the full-lengths in fancy digipacks with revamped artwork and new liner notes. First up will be the very doomy "Brave murder day" in October which will also include "Sounds of decay" as a bonus track. Peaceville also secured the rights for various old Katatonia sideprojects such as Diabolical Masquerade and October Tide and will be doing reissues of those as well. Personally, I'm just excited that I'll finally get a chance to see them live when they tour the US this fall for the first time ever.

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia will finally be doing a full US tour this fall with Moonspell and Daylight Dies. Dates so far:

10/20 - The Loft, Poughkeepsie, NY
10/21 - Mark's Place, Manchester, NH
10/22 - BB Kings Blues Club, New York, NY
10/23 - Medley, Montreal, QUE
10/24 - L'Imperial, Quebec City, QUE
10/25 - Opera House, Toronto, ONT
10/26 - Peabody's, Cleveland, OH
10/27 - IRock, Detroit, MI
10/28 - Pearl Room, Mokena, IL
10/29 - Star Central, Columbia Heights, MN
10/31 - Lliff Park Saloon, Aurora, CO
11/02 - Studio Seven, Seattle, WA
11/03 - Rock N Roll Pizza, Portland, OR
11/04 - The Pound, San Francisco, CA
11/06 - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
11/11 - White Rabbit, San Antonio, TX

Tue, 23 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish act Day Eleven will recordtheir second album at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden starting in late Augst. Jens Bogren (Katatonia, Opeth, Disco Ensemble) will produce with Miitri Aaltonen (Stam1na, Mokoma) assisting.

Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The video for Katatonia's latest single "Deliberation" is now online: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7z1lntprsUw

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Aversionline expresses their love for Katatonia: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/04/great-cold-best-fucking-band-on-planet.html

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

PopMatters on the new Katatonia: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/katatonia_the_great_cold_distance/

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Stylus on the new Katatonia: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3943

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

DigitalMetal interviews Katatonia: http://www.digitalmetal.com/interviews.asp?iID=7231

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

"Deliberation" has been chosen as the second single from Katatonia's new album "The great cold distance". It will be officially released on May 15 and will include two exclusive tracks. The first is a stripped-down acoustic version of the song "In the white" and the second is an unreleased track from the "Cold distance" sessions entitled "Code against the code".

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Musique Machine has mixed feelings about the new Katatonia: http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=737

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Decibel interviews Katatonia: http://decibelmagazine.com/features/april2006/katatonia.aspx
Also see their lavish review of the new album "The great cold distance": http://decibelmagazine.com/reviews/april2006/katatonia.aspx

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia will be touring Europe with support from the excellent Italian act Novembre (except on dated marked with *):

04/15 - Close Up Festival*, Stockholm (SWE)
04/20 - Cathouse, Glasgow (UK)
04/21 - Rio, Bradford (UK)
04/22 - Mean Fiddler, London (UK)
04/23 - W2, Den Bosch (NL)
04/24 - Le Boule Noir, Paris (FRA)
04/27 - Tavastia, Helsinki (FIN)
05/01 - Columbia Club, Berlin (GER)
05/02 - Markthalle, Hamburg (GER)
05/05 - Prime Club, Cologne (GER)
05/06 - Metalalliance Festival*, Beauvais (FRA)
05/08 - Rainbow, Milan (ITA)
05/09 - New Age, Treviso (ITA)
05/10 - Z7, Pratteln (SWI)
05/11 - Zeche Carl, Essen (GER)
05/12 - Scum, Katwijk (NL)
05/13 - Durbuy Rock*, Durbuy (BEL)
05/14 - Willemeen, Arnhem (NL)
07/15-16 - Ilosaarirock Festival*, Joensuu (FIN)

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The latest Lords of Metal webzine update features interviews with Scandinavian acts Katatonia, Swallow the Sun, Raunchy and tons more: http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/index.php?lang=en

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The video for the new Katatonia single "My twin" is now online: http://www.charliegranberg.com/movies/Katatonia%20My%20Twin.mov (via)

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia's new album "The great cold distance" has been confirmed for a March 13 release date. Download a sample of the first single "My twin": http://www.katatonia.com/audio/mytwin.mp3

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Both Aversionline and Dark Dose have posted tracks from the seasonably appropriate Katatonia sideproject October Tide.

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Dark Dose posts a track from Diabolical Masquerade, the now-retired sideproject of Katatonia guitarist Anders Nyström: http://darkdose.com/?p=77

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia has begun recording their next album at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. Check out some pics from the session here: http://katatonia.com/newsmid.html

Tue, 29 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Metal blog Another Perfect Day posts a track from Bloodbath, the very excellent old-school all-star death-metal band featuring members of Katatonia and Hypocrisy: http://killformetal.blogspot.com/2005/03/bloodbath.html

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Check out a track from Enter My Silence, an unsigned Finnish melodic metal band: http://www.entermysilence.com/mp3/EnterMySilence-TheParadoxOfTwo.mp3
There's strong elements of Katatonia-style dark-pop melodicism, but these guys are way more tech and more straight-up death-metal.

Wed, 23 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The End Records has licensed Katatonia's out-of-print and sought-after "Saw you drown" EP from 1998 for release via their sub-label Infinite Vinyl Series. 1000 copies, hand-numbered with special new liner notes from the band. Look for it in April.

Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Germany's Northern Silence Productions is working on putting together a Katatonia tribute album, focusing on the band's earlier, more traditional doom/death-metal era. The label says that numberous bands are already confirmed for project which is going under the working title "December songs". Other acts interested in participating are encouraged to contact them through their website: http://www.northern-silence.de/

Fri, 07 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia has confirmed that their upcoming 3xCD box-set "The Black Sessions" will be released on February 21. The collect includes a selection of the band's best material from the last few albums including b-sides and a live DVD. For full tracklist and cover art, go here: http://katatonia.com/sitestart.html

Fri, 15 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The latest from Katatonia:

Peaceville will be issuing a limited edition compilation entitled "The Black Sessions" featuring selected material from the 'new era' (defined 1998-2004) as opposed to the 'old era' material covered in "Brave Yester Days" at the end of January. The packaging will be a box set of two discs featuring all the single's b-sides, cover songs and selective songs off "Discouraged Ones" up and till "Viva Emptiness" (including one unreleased track from this recording session). There'll also be a third disc in the form of a live DVD with a Katatonia live show from April 2003 that was shot in Kracow, Poland. The layout of a 12 page booklet + poster will be handled by Travis Smith.
The official DVD release that has been in the works since over a year and a half has been postponed to a yet undecided future date, likely during the later part of 2005. Reason is we didn't feel entirely happy with the way it was shaping up and it wouldn't meet our own demands of what should be Katatonia's first offical DVD release. A new main show for this DVD will be planned and shot with more careful directing behind it during next year (tba). We're also pretty far on our way of gathering cool backstage and bootleg shots with our own handycam, that will in the end make up some great bonus footage for a well worthwhile killer release.

"The Black Sessions" should be a pretty cool collection - some of those b-sides are really, really great and it's especially interesting to hear the band's take on stuff like "O how I enjoy the light" by Will Oldham. It will be nice to finally have them all on one disc, even though chumps like me already bought them when they came out.

Fri, 08 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia disapproves of the Black Lodge Records reissue of their old album "Dance of December Souls":

It has been known to us that Black Lodge Records are going to re-issue the old classic "Dance of December Souls" album. Although the CD could just as well have been re-pressed with the original cover and old logo, it now ridicules both the past and present by showing up with a new pathetic cover trying to depict elements from our last album and the abuse of the 'new era' logo on something that was released more than 10 year ago. Don't be fooled into confusing this is for a new Katatonia release. Consequently, we do not support this re-issue and take complete distance from its existance.

Wed, 06 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia reports that they are done with touring for the year and will take the winter off to write and record for what will become their seventh album.

Wed, 06 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Speaking of Katatonia, their old-school death-metal sideproject Bloodbath will finally get a proper US release for their new album "Nightmares Made Flesh" sometime early next year.

Thu, 30 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Has it really been two years already? Hard to bellieve I've been doing this for so long already, the time just flies by. So cheers everyone! Here's to another year! Well-wishers are encouraged to send money in lieu of gifts.

Since it's such a special day, I've posted two new mp3s today. First up in Novak with their single "It all works out in the end" from the new album "Perpetual motion". I'm still undecided about the record as a whole, but this song is undeniably catchy. Tons of energy, great hooks and solid guitar work. Next up in "Draped in disease" from Swedish all-star old-school death metal act Bloodbath. Vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) may no longer be in the band, but he's been more than capably replaced by Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain). Factor in that the rest of the band is fleshed out by Dan Swanö along with members of Katatonia and Witchery and you've got an instant classic.

The "It's a trap! reader's companion" microsite is now open: http://www.itsatrap.com/vol1/
As mentioned earlier this week, CDs are done and should arrive in stock on Tuesday.

Going to see Finland's Hero Dishonest tonight in San Francisco at The Hemlock. Should be fun!

Mon, 27 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Jonas Renkse of Bloodbath/Katatonia talks to Antenna webzine about the former band's new album and possible plans to play live: http://www.antenna.nu/bloodbath/interview1.php

Check out the video for "Love my love" from the Whyte Seeds: high / low

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Diabolique Masquerade, the sideproject of Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström from Katatonia, has decided to call it a day. Read the full statement here: http://diabolicalmasquerade.com/
How long until the continued success of the other Katatonia-related project Bloodbath sidelines the main act? Their latest album "Nightmares made flesh" is absolutely killer, no doubt about it.

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia and Amaran will be doing some European tourdates together centered around the two band's appearances at ProgPower in early October. Here's Katatonia's schedule now:

08/20 - Summer Breeze Open Air, Abtsgmünd (GER)
08/21 - Metalcamp, Tolmin (SLO)
08/26 - Samsen, Kristiansand (NOR)
08/27 - Hole In The Sky, Bergen (NOR)
08/28 - Folken, Stavanger (NOR)
08/29 - Garage, Oslo (NOR)
09/29 - Loppen, Copenhagen (DK)
10/03 - Progpower Europe, Baarlo (NL)

More soon.

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia has posted a bunch of new live photos to their website: http://katatonia.com/

Wed, 07 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The July edition of Aversionline is now up and features 120 new reviews of all sorts of punk/hardcore/metal stuff from around the globe such as 7th Legion, Abnormi, After Forever, Atrox, Bloodshed, Face Tomorrow, Helion, Hollydrift, Katatonia, Lähdön Aika, Manes, MindGrinder, Morning After, Razor Crusade, Regulations, Sunday Morning Einsteins, Susperia, Under Her Black Wings, Unmoored and tons more. There's also a new spin-off site called Fall of Because dedicated solely to experimental noise. Tons of reviews, a few interviews and the promise of much more to come.

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Instead of announcing new bands one act at a time, the people behind the Hole in the Sky Festival have decided to squash the rumors and just announce the whole thing. Acts confirmed so far are Glenn Danzig (US), Entombed, Vader (POL), Katatonia, Aura Noir, Zyklon, Susperia, 1349, Manes (GER), Keep of Kalessin and Disiplin.

Wed, 19 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia will be doing a total of four Norwegian dates in August:

08/26 - Markens, Kristiansand
08/27 - Hole In The Sky, Bergen
08/28 - Folken, Stavanger
08/29 - Garage, Oslo

Mon, 17 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Katatonia and Vader (POL) are the first two bands announced for 2004's Hole in the Sky Festival in Norway.

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Those jokers in Katatonia have a good prank posted today: http://katatonia.com/sitestart.html

Fri, 05 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Looks like there's a new album on the way from Bloodbath, the classic-style Swedish death-metal group featuring Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström (Katatonia, Diabolical Masquerade), Jonas Renkse (Katatonia, October Tide) and Dan Swanö (Nightingale, Edge of Sanity, etc). They've booked studio time for late spring and hope to have a record ready for a late summer release. However, there have been some lineup changes in the group. Vocalist Mike Åkerfeldt of Opeth is out (I assume he's probably too busy) and they say they have replaced him with "one of the biggest names in the scene." My guess would be LG Petrov, but who knows? Maybe Tompa is taking on yet another new project. Anyhow, Dan has also switched over from drums to guitar and taking his place his "yet another big, big name." Look for details to be announced soon.

Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Representing Scandinavia on the (extremely late) Terrorizer Magazine best-of 2003 writer's poll:

02. Enslaved - Below The Lights
03. Darkthrone - Hate Them
09. Opeth - Damnation
11. Cult of Luna - The Beyond
20. Katatonia - Viva Emptiness

Read the rest (via DJ Martian): http://djmartian.blogspot.com/2004_03_01_djmartian_archive.html#107836349697629256

Wed, 18 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia will be making their Canadian concert debut on June 6 at Foufounes Électriques in Montréal. They'll be making the one-off gig as part of their trip over to the States for the Brave World and Bloody Knuckles 6-Pack Weekend Festival in Cleveland, Ohio on June 4.

Tue, 17 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Mattias from Katatonia is the latest member of the band to become a father. Congrats to him and his new baby girl.

Fri, 16 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia will grace American shores for the second time in their career when they play the Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles 6-Pack Weekend festival in Cleveland, Ohio on June 4. Hopefully they'll play some other dates while they're at it.

Wed, 14 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Go here to check out top 2003 picks from various metalheads such as Michael Amott (Arch Enemy), Jonas Björler (The Haunted), Jonas Renske (Katatonia), Kenny R2D2 (...And Oceans) and tons more (incl. a number of hasbeen 80s rockers): http://whiplash.net/forceframe.html?/especiallist.mv?rec=416

Tue, 13 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Amaran guitarist Ronnie Backlund fractured his right arm and subsequently will be unable to participate in the band's upcoming European tour with After Forever and Nightmare as well as their Finnish support dates with Katatonia. Esa Orjatsalo of Dreamtale will be filling in.

Fri, 09 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia will release a special two-disc set called "Brave Yester Days" featuring a collection of all their previously out-of-print mini-CDs along with a few samples from their proper albums and one unreleased song. Here's the full tracklist:

Disc One:
01. Midwinter Gates (Prologue) ("Jhva Elohim Meth")
02. Without God ("Jhva Elohim Meth")
03. Palace Of Frost ("Jhva Elohim Meth")
04. The Northern Silence ("Jhva Elohim Meth")
05. Crimson Tears (Epilogue) ("Jhva Elohim Meth")
06. Gateways Of Bereavement ("Dance Of December Souls")
07. Velvet Thorns (Of Drynwhyl) ("Dance Of December Souls")
08. Black Erotica ("War Compilation Vol One")
09. Love Of The Swan ("War Compilation Vol One")
10. Funeral Wedding ("For Funerals To Come…")
11. Shades Of Emerald Fields("For Funerals To Come…")
12. For Funerals To Come ("For Funerals To Come…")
13. Epistel ("For Funerals To Come…")

Disc Two:
01. Murder ("Brave Murder Day")
02. Rainroom ("Brave Murder Day")
03. Nowhere ("Sounds Of Decay")
04. At Last ("Sounds Of Decay")
05. Inside The Fall ("Sounds Of Decay")
06. Untrue (Previously Unreleased)
07. Nerve ("Saw You Drown")
08. Saw You Drown ("Saw You Drown")
09. Quiet World ("Saw You Drown")
10. Scarlet Heavens ("Saw You Drown")

I wonder what the band thinks of this, since these sort of releases are often done without their permission. Anyhow, look for it on February 23 from Avantgarde Records.

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Add another baby to the Katatonia family: guitarist Fredrik Norrman and girlfriend Hilma just had their first child, a daughter, this last Saturday. Congrats.

Mon, 15 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Katatonia and Amaran are rumored to be planning a Scandinavian tour together to begin in February, but there's no confirmed dates yet. Otherwise, Katatonia is still busy editing their upcoming DVD and say it now also include one or two unreleased tracks from the "Viva Emptiness" sessions.

Fri, 21 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Congrats to Daniel Liljekvist of Katatonia who just became a father of a baby daughter.

Tue, 11 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

No Tolerance Records has announced the onset of 'Operation Grindstorm', "a new phase of punishing grooves, tortured vocals, hi-speed attack drumming and guitars like carpets of cluster bombs" taking form as the new CD "The Art Of Today" from Relevant Few. As with most grind releases, they promise the fast parts are faster, the heavy parts heavier etc etc which of course adds up to everything being more brutal than ever, but you can decide for yourself by listening to some samples: "Is there no hope?" / "Lustrous Pattern".
The record comes out November 24 and sports cover art from the oft-utilized Travis Smith (Opeth, King Diamond, Katatonia, Anathema).