PHOTO BY ESTER SEGARRA
KATATONIA Big Dreams, Low Expectations
INTERVIEW WITH GUITARIST ANDERS NYSTRĂ–M BY THOMAS PIZZOLA
O
n their new album, City “Well, if it hadn’t been for the Night tonia connection was already there in And then he elaborates. Burials, out now on Peace- Is The New Day anniversary, I’m not most of the material. So, we decided ville, regal Swedish gloom really sure when the next crucial rearrange some of the songs, hit the “Katatonia became a part of our metal merchants Katatonia weave motivation would have given us that studio and co-produce it together. Did identity and has now been with us another captivating spell filled with much needed push,â€? NystrĂśm says. it feel weird for me for the first time ever day and night for three decades,â€? atmosphere and emotion. Powered “We were really eager to celebrate to see none of my songs on the album? he says. “This decision taken by a by the expressive vocals of lead that album that the anniversary Yes. Did it matter? Not really. The album couple of hungry teenagers is still singer Jonas Renske, their eleventh shows worked as a stepping stone passed far above the ‘quality control’ sustained by a couple of midalbum is another feather in the back to the stage.â€? and that’s what counts.â€? dle-aged farts. Our dreams have band's ever-crowded cap. ​ been big, but our expectations This would eventually lead as the In addition, the new album's evoca- have been low. We basically have And it almost didn't happen. impetus to get the band, which also tive title has a deeper meaning. been living on a minimum wage features guitarist Roger Ă–jersson, our entire lives, just to be able to After the tour cycle for their previous bassist Niklas Sandin, and drummer “It’s all connected by metaphors in- do this, which is something most (if album, The Fall Of Hearts, they de- Daniel Moilanen, to get back in studio side the Katatonia universe that cir- not all) normal people would have cided it was time to take a little time and commence work on City Burials. cle our discography,â€? NystrĂśm says. rejected at an early stage. Elderly away from the grind and each other. people used to tell us youngsters, But there was one more twist to this story. Through all the shifts and changes in ‘go get a haircut and get yourselves “It was a basically a time-out,â€? guisound over their lengthy career, and a job.’ How about us telling them to tarist Anders NystrĂśm explains. “We “Well, to tell you the truth, City Buri- with band members coming and fuck right off? Because, at the end needed to get everyone attentive als was originally supposed to be- going, the driving creative forces of the day, we know we followed to the issues we weren’t happy with, come a Jonas solo album,â€? NystrĂśm in Katatonia have always been our hearts, we had fun spending and also get enough time to reflect explains. “However, he changed his NystrĂśm and Renske. It's a partner- our youth, our 20’s and even 30’s on future direction.â€? mind at the very last stage, just before ship that has lasted the test of time. doing exactly what other people hitting the studio with other musicians. will never experience in life.â€? As fate would have it, their break Jonas rather wanted it to become a NystrĂśm has one simple reason for didn't last too long. In fact, they got Katatonia album, so he played me all this longevity. “And regarding that haircut?â€? back together to celebrate the anni- the songs, and since he writes just as NystrĂśm laughs. “Age eventually versary of very special album in their much music for Katatonia as I do (or in “We shared a vision, went for it and took care of that, as there’s hardly discography. fact even more these days), the Kata- never looked back,â€? he says.  any left!â€?â€? đ&#x;’Ł
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