Artist: KATATONIA
Album: THE GREAT COLD DISTANCE (CD)

Year: 2005
EAN/UPS: 0801056766120
Media type: CD

Celebrated propagators of ambitious and supremely melodic Doom-Death. Avesta based KATATONIA started life as a duo of guitarist Sombreius Blackheim (a.k.a. Anders Nystrom) and vocalist/drummer Lord Seth (real name Jonas Renske) in 1987. The group issued the 1992 demo 'JHVA Elohin Meth' which was later released in CD form by Dutch label Vic Records. In late 1992 KATATONIA added former TEARS OF LUNA bassist Israphael Wing (real name Guillaume Le Huche) signing to No Fashion Records. In addition to this material, the band also contributed two tracks ('Black Erotica' and 'Love Of The Swan') to the Wrong Again Records compilation album 'W.A.R.' in 1995. That same year witnessed the EP 'For Funerals To Come' released through Italian label Avantgarde Music. Further recordings of interest included a split 7" EP with PRIMORDIAL the following year. Le Huche opted out in 1994, resurfacing as a member of Progressive Metal band MINDWATCH. Coincidently, another MINDWATCH man, Mikael Oretoft, took over the bass vacancy in 1996.

Blackheim, having just relinquished a position with IN GREY, also had worked up a side project band titled BEWITCHED releasing the 'Diabolical Desecration' album on Osmose Records in 1996. Seth would also be working on his OCTOBER TIDE project in union with UNCANNY and FULMINATION guitarist Fredrik Norrman. KATATONIA performed a short British tour in late 1996 with support acts IN THE WOODS and VOICE OF DESTRUCTION. Avantgarde Music issued the acclaimed 'Brave Murder Day' album in 1997, recorded at Unisound Studios, produced by EDGE OF SANITY's industrious Dan Swano and featuring OPETH's Mikael Akerfeldt on "distorted" vocals.

The 'Discouraged Ones' opus followed in 1998, this self produced record being crafted at Sunlight Studios with Fred Estby of DISMEMBER and Tomas Skogsberg gaining engineering credits. Once again Mikael Akerfeldt was in evidence for backing vocals. Blackheim and Seth were also in pursuit of another Death Metal project titled DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE. In 2000 the pair forged Black Metal project act BLOODBATH with Dan Swano and OPETH's Mikael Akerfeldt, both of these individuals again very much in evidence on KATATONIA's masterly 'Tonight's Decision' album.

The 2001 KATATONIA 'Teargas' EP, whilst holding only three tracks would prove deceptive as the final track 'March' boasted a duration of no less than 45 minutes. By this stage the band was ridding itself totally of its formative Death Metal skin and plunging headlong into deeply disturbing yet oddly melodic workouts. They shed fans in the process but gained a wider acceptance and recognition for their efforts.

The 2002 KATATONIA line up comprised of vocalist Jonas Renske, guitarist Anders Nystrom and OCTOBER TIDE man Fredrik Norrman, ex-DELLAMORTE bassist Mattias Norrman and SUBDIVE and WICKED drummer Daniel Liljekvist. KATATONIA took on the services of NIGHTINGALE mentor Dan Swano to mix their sixth full-length album for early 2003 through Peaceville Records. The band united with FINNTROLL for European touring throughout April and May.

The emergence of 2003's 'Viva Emptiness', a tapestry of morosely compelling and infectious dirges, put KATATONIA firmly into the major league bracket with praise unanimous and global. German gigs to promote the album in April saw BEFORE THE DAWN and DARK SUNS as support. A 2004 release, entitled 'Brave Yester Days' compiled tracks from EPs alongside rarities and the unreleased 'Untrue'. With KATATONIA's status rising rapidly, Black Lodge Records re-issued their early 'Dance of December Souls' album but sparked some criticism from the band who issued an official statement "We do not support this re-issue and take complete distance from its existance". Apparently the re-issue's new artwork and logo, designed to to be in keeping with more recent KATATONIA albums, made the band believe these old recordings were being passed off to look like new material. Meantime, Peaceville Records compiled the 'The Black Sessions' compilation, a set of post 1998 recordings comprisings all the single's b-sides, cover songs and selective songs off 'Discouraged Ones' through 'Viva Emptiness' plus an unreleased track.

Leading up to the band's appearance the the October 'Barlo' festival in Holland KATATONIA united with AMARAN for a run of Scandinavian and European gigs. The group then engaged in songwriting for a new album. In early 2005 the rare 1998 'Saw You Drown' EP would be licensed to Infinite Vinyl for a limited edition vinyl release of 1000 hand-numbered copies.

In June KATATONIA entered Fascination Street Studios located in the outskirts of Orebro to craft a new album entitled 'The Great Cold Distance'. The group's debut Russian performances came in September with gigs in Moscow and St. Petersburg. European road work in April and May 2006 saw NOVEMBRE as support band.

TRACKLIST:

01. Leaders
02. Deliberation
03. Soil's Song
04. My Twin
05. Consternation
06. Follower
07. Rusted
08. Increase
09. July
10. In The White
11. The Itch
12. Journey Through Pressure

LINE-UP:

Jonas Renske (vocals / guitar)
Anders Nystrom (guitar / keyboards)
Fred Norrman (guitar)
Mattias Norrman (bass)
Daniel Liljekvist (drums)