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KATATONIA

[Exclusive] Check Out The Album Artwork For Stolen Babies ‘Naught’!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 20, 2012 @ 10:00am
Category: Music / Exclusives

Bloody-Disgusting is excited to bring you the exclusive album artwork premiere for Naught, the upcoming album from Stolen Babies! The artwork is deceptive, to say the least. At first glance, it seems very innocent and happy, showing a dark pink sheep in the middle of a “Who Framed Roger Rabbit Toon Town”-esque setting. But at closer inspection, things become more stranger, creating a sense of unease. The colors, while bright, have a dark tinge. The houses, seemingly happy, have a worried tilt to their eyes. And the sky, while blue and beautiful, has scratches and mars. Yup, something seems very strange in this image. You can check out the full artwork below.

The follow-up to 2006′s There Be Squabbles Ahead, Naught has a fall release date via No Comment Records.

Stolen Babies will be on the Epic Kings & Idols Tour with Devin Townsend, Katatonia, and Paradise Lost. Tour dates and artwork can be found below. READ MORE

Katatonia Tease New Song “Lethean” In Tour Ad Promo

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 18, 2012 @ 11:15am
Category: Music / News

In anticipation of their upcoming ninth studio album Dead End Kings (out Aug. 28th via Peaceville Records), Swedish melodic metal band Katatonia have released a tour promo video that uses a sample of a new song, “Lethean”, as the backdrop. The video showcases the band’s upcoming European tour dates, which sees support from Alcest and Junius (ticket information can be found here). The video can be seen below.

Katatonia will be co-headlining the Epic Kings & Idols Tour alongside Devin Townsend. Paradise Lost will be providing direct support. All information for this tour can be found here.

Personally speaking, I cannot WAIT for this album! I’ve been a fan of Katatonia for over 10 years and a new album from them is a reason for much celebration. Also, “Dead Letters” and this sample are convincing me that I might have a contender for Album of the Year. What are your thoughts? READ MORE

Katatonia Unveil Lyric Video For New Song “Dead Letters”: I Hit ‘Replay’ 1000x

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 20, 2012 @ 1:15pm
Category: Music / Videos

One of my favorite bands is Katatonia, hands down. Their heavy yet incredibly emotional and melancholic music has been something of a “go to” sound for me on many an occasion. So when they announced that they would be releasing a new album, Dead End Kings, on August 28th, I immediately perked up and got excited. After all, I still blast Night Is The New Day on a very regular basis.

Now, to whet the appetite of the fans, the band is streaming a new song entitled “Dead Letters”, which you can listen to below. I’ve already replayed it about six or seven times and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

You can also download “Dead Letters” for free here. READ MORE

It’s Vocal Heaven In These New Devin Townsend Live Clips

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 19, 2012 @ 4:00pm
Category: Music / Videos

Easily one of the hardest working and most eclectic musicians today, Devin Townsend is a whirlwind of musical thoughts and energy. Each release of his is something out of this world, an auditory journey that never reveals the ending until the last notes fade away. Basically, I’m a huge fan.

In anticipation of the release of By A Thread: Live In London, two more video clips have popped up. The first is “Awake” from the Addicted album. Guest singer Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering) was at the show and the combination of her and Devin’s vocals are unbelievable. The second video is the title track from the Ghost album. Both are below for your viewing pleasure.

By A Thread: Live In London came out today and is available for order here. Devin Townsend will also be co-headlining the “Epic Kings & Idols” Tour with Katatonia. Support comes from Paradise Lost. Check out the tour dates below. READ MORE

[OMFG] This Is The Greatest Tour This Year

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 01, 2012 @ 11:45am
Category: Music / News

What is with amazing tours not having the decency to stop in my neck of the woods? Yesterday it was the Kansas/King’s X tour that got my hopes up before crushing them entirely. Today it has been announced that Devin Townsend Project and Katatonia will be headlining the “Epic Kings And Idols” tour, which sees support coming from Paradise Lost and Stolen Babies. DTP and Katatonia will alternate headlining each show.

DTP will be touring in support of their upcoming album Epicloud (no official release date announced) while Katatonia will be supporting their upcoming album Dead End Kings (coming out Aug. 28th). This tour also sees Paradise Lost back in the States after a five-year hiatus.

You can see all the tour dates below (No Detroit date means I’m weeping as I write this). READ MORE

Katatonia Announces New Album Title: Reveals Artwork And Track Listing

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on May 28, 2012 @ 4:00pm
Category: Music / News

Swedish melodic metal band Katatonia has revealed details for their upcoming album, titled Dead End Kings, on their Facebook. The album is set for release on August 27th in Europe and August 28th in the US. The band has also released which tracks will be on the album although the final track list is not confirmed. One of the songs, “The One You Are Looking For is Not Here”, features Silje Wergeland, current singer of The Gathering. This album also marks the debut recording of guitar Per Erikkson and bassist Niklas Sandin. Frank Default will once again be tackling atmospherics and sampling.

Singer Jonas Renske states, “Dead End Kings is about the corridors of our mind from where there is no return. Be a king or queen in your own right in these hallways, even at the dead end. Carry your burden with pride. That’s what we are doing, twenty years and counting. Kings, because we believe in what we are creating, in our own disturbing faith”.

Guitarist Anders Nystrom adds, “This album has doors revolving into many different genres of music but remain disguised within the Katatonia trademark. We have walked the fine line between attempting not to repeat ourselves but also not to distance us away from what people know and love. We’re now ready to hand over the evidence and whatever the direction this has taken is now for you to decide. We’re confident the creativity and passion on this album is something that will be echoing even beyond the dead end”.

You can see the album artwork and track listing below. Also, make sure to check out our exclusive interview with Anders and Per from October 2010 here. READ MORE

New Katatonia Album Coming This September

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 29, 2012 @ 4:58pm
Category: Music / News

For the past few weeks, Swedish melodic metal band Katatonia have been posting studio updates for their new as-of-yet-untitled album, the follow-up to 2009′s fantastic Night Is The New Day. Well, earlier today, they updated their Facebook cover photo to the image you see above, suggesting that the new album has a tentative release date for this September. If this is true, consider me super excited. I still blast NITND in my car and have been a fan of the band since Viva Emptiness. Any new Katatonia music is always a good thing in my eyes.

Katatonia Announces Headline Dates During Opeth Tour

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 16, 2011 @ 10:50pm
Category: Music / News

Last year was the first time I was able to see (and interview) one of my all time favorite bands, Katatonia. Imagine my pant-tightening pleasure when I saw that they would be opening up this year for yet another favorite of mine, Opeth. This easily ranks as my most anticipated tour this year, hands down.

Well, Katatonia is not one to sit around on off days just twiddling their thumbs. Rather, they have announced several headline shows during the tour. Check after the jump for a message from guitarist Anders Nystrom as well as the full touring schedule.

Katatonia Announces Headline Dates During Opeth Tour

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 06, 2011 @ 2:09pm
Category: Music / News

Opeth have announced a full N. American tour starting this fall with Katatonia tapped as direct support! Talk about news that makes my pants tight! This tour will be in support of Opeth‘s new album, Heritage, which comes out Sept. 20th. You can check out the tour dates after the jump.

Opeth Touring N. America This Fall With Katatonia

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 22, 2011 @ 6:04pm
Category: Music / News

Bloodbath‘s live DVD, ‘Bloodbath Over Bloodstock‘, is coming out next week. To hype up the release, they have released a clip of one of their biggest songs, ‘Eaten‘, which you can check after the jump (including a Radio Disney version, no joke).

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 02, 2011 @ 7:49pm
Category: Music / News

One of my favorite death metal bands is the supergroup Bloodbath. Seriously, with members of Opeth and Katatonia, how can you go wrong? Their 2008 release, ‘The Fathomless Mastery’ is an album I still spin regularly when I want to scare the neighbors. So, imagine my joy when I got news that a live DVD, ‘Bloodbath Over Bloodstock’, is going to be coming out on April 25th. The DVD is said to include their full performance at Bloodstock 2010, bonus footage from a 2008 performance, band member interviews and a 16-page booklet.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 12, 2010 @ 4:19pm
Category: Music / News

And so we finally come to the headliner of the Night Over North America tour: Katatonia! Earlier, we posted an interview with Mikko and Kai of Swallow The Sun as well as one with Yossi of Orphaned Land. Today, we’ve got an exclusive interview with Anders Nyström and Per “Sodomizer” Eriksson of Katatonia! We discuss how the Night Over North America tour was going, the status on a new Katatonia album and, of course, their love of horror (which is very high up there!). Check after the jump for the exclusive video interview!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 08, 2010 @ 7:29pm
Category: Music / News

Yesterday, I posted an exclusive interview with Mikko and Kai of Swallow The Sun that was taken during the Night Over North America Tour, with tour partners Orphaned Land and Katatonia. That day, I also had the opportunity to chat with guitarist Yossi Sa’aron of Orphaned Land, who I had the privilege of interviewing almost a year ago while visiting in Israel. We tackled such topics as their opening for Metallica earlier this year, how the tour is going and, most importantly, how the past several months of Middle East news has affected Orphaned Land during their touring, including an incident in France where their tour bus had a swastika drawn onto it. Check after the jump for the exclusive video interview!

You can find out more about Orphaned Land at their Official Website, MySpace and Facebook! You can also check out our review of their latest album, ‘The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR’ HERE!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 06, 2010 @ 6:32pm
Category: Music / News

It only seemed fitting that as I drove to a doom/death metal show, headlined by Katatonia, Orphaned Land and Swallow The Sun, that I should drive through some of the more run down areas of Detroit. Crumbling buildings, burnt shells of houses, stores with thick metal fences covering the windows, and people walking the streets with hopeless looks in their eyes. It was a precursor to the emotional undercurrent of the music that I was to hear that night.

blondies Exclusive Interview: Mikko and Kai Swallow The Sun

After the jump, you can watch an exclusive interview with Mikko Kotamäki and Kai Hahto from Finnish melodic doom metal band Swallow The Sun, where we discuss upcoming plans for Swallow The Sun, Mikko’s other band Barren Earth as well as Kai’s other band Wintersun, their love of horror, especially Twin Peaks, and other assorted topics.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 20, 2010 @ 6:01pm
Category: Music / News

Following a slew of sold out headlining shows on their first North American tour in over three years, Sweden’s heavyweight progressive metal act, Katatonia, hit their first major bump in the road over the weekend when the band realized they had two guitars, straps, and wireless transmitters stolen from them at their stop in St. Paul on Saturday.

The band issued the following statement…

“Unfortunately tonight’s gig reached an all time low. Two of our guitars got stolen (including our straps with wireless transmitters), obviously causing performance difficulties, frustration and anger. Then against all odds, further technical problems kept on coming down one after another during the show. Apologies goes out to our fans in Minnesota for having to go through this.”

The stolen Mayones guitars were to be the grand prize in two Katatonia giveaways that were launched in celebration of the otherwise extremely successful headlining run on the “Night Over North America” tour. Fans are encouraged to check Craigslist, Ebay, local pawnshops, etc. for the missing guitars, and report any suspicious activity to the band.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 08, 2010 @ 9:14pm
Category: Music / News

Katatonia, Sweden’s premiere progressive metal outfit, has launched two special contest giveaways in celebration of their headlining US tour, the “Night Over North America” tour, which is set to kick off today in Baltimore. Head over to MetalSucks.net and enter for a chance to win a grand prize of a Mayones Guitar played and autographed by Katatonia from their US tour, as well as the tour edition of Night Is The New Day, a Mayones Guitar t-shirt, plus a choice of a t-shirt from Katatonia’s merch store powered by Omerch. A runner-up will get the new CD and their choice of t-shirt as well. Check out HERE for all the details.

Katatonia is also offering fans that purchase a VIP ticket for an upcoming “Night Over North America” date on EnterTheVault.com the chance to win a Peavey Millennium BXP 5-string bass guitar. This contest is open to all VIP ticket buyers, including those who purchased a VIP ticket prior to this announcement. All VIP ticket holders will be admitted into the venue before the doors open for a special meet-and-greet with the band, and everyone who purchases a VIP ticket will be automatically entered to win the bass guitar. It’s a win-win situation; so get your VIP ticket today before it’s too late!

Swallow The Sun and Orphaned Land will round out the tour’s impressive package, as they accompany Katatonia on their first tour of North America since 2007.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 24, 2010 @ 6:20pm
Category: Music / News

Dream Theater’s James LaBrie is easily one of the defining, elite and naturally talented vocalists the world has to offer and after selling over a million albums worldwide he further challenges himself with an aggressive and dynamic new solo effort. LaBrie has partnered up with Revolver Magazine to exclusively present an online stream to the next track, “I Need You,” so be sure to check it out. LaBrie and Matt Guillory (keyboards, background vocals) also provide an in-depth look into the meaning of the song and how it all came together.

The much anticipated new full-length offering, Static Impulse, also marks LaBrie’s first solo effort in over five years and is sure to please his legion of diehard fans, as well as win over many new devotees in the process. A special pre-order package is now available exclusively through CMDistro.com where fans can pre-order the album along with an exclusive t-shirt. Click on the link HERE to purchase now.

Static Impulse also features the immensely talented longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist Matt Guillory. Another notable performance is Peter Wildoer from metal titans Darkane on drums and screaming vocals. The group is rounded out by Marco Sfogli on guitars and Ray Riendeau on bass. Static Impulse is set for a September 28th release on InsideOut Music and was mixed and mastered by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia).

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 16, 2010 @ 6:28pm
Category: Music / News

Century Media Records is proud to announce the signing of INSOMNIUM who recently won the Finnish Metal Awards earlier this year for Best Band and Best Album (for the 2009 album “Across The Dark”). The band comments: “We are very happy to announce that we have signed a deal with the mighty Century Media Records. Throughout the spring and summer we negotiated with several attractive labels but in the end it was clear that Century Media would be our home for the years to come. Their enthusiasm, professionalism and genuine love for music made an instant impact on us. We are convinced that this alliance will lead to even greater achievements in the future and also avails us to tour outside Europe more often. And naturally it is a great honor for us to stand in the same team with the likes of Dark Tranquillity, Arch Enemy, Paradise Lost, The Haunted, Finntroll and Turisas. A new exciting chapter in the story of Insomnium has begun!

We want to thank Jens Prueter and the whole Century Media crew for putting their trust in us. We thank our manager Jukka Varmo for handling the negotiations very smoothly. We also wish to thank our previous label Candlelight Records for the decade that we spent with them. We salute you all!”

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 29, 2010 @ 8:48pm
Category: Music / News

Conceived in June of 2009 by R. Loren (Pyramids), after a horrific encounter with the late Stephen Crane, this took many hands to birth. After traveling the world, the result could not possibly adhere any closer to the original vision. The debut, self-titled release from Sailors With Wax Wings will feature contributions from the following group of renowned artists:

R. Loren – vocals / textures

J. Leah – vocals

Ted Parsons (Swans, Jesu, Godflesh) – drums

Simon Scott (Slowdive) – electronics

Aidan Baker (Nadja) – guitar

Colin Marston (Krallice) – guitar

Vern Rumsey (Unwound) – bass

Prurient (Dominick Fernow of Hospital Productions, Cold Cave, etc) – noise / electronics

James Blackshaw (Young God Records solo artist, Current 93) – piano

Hildur Gudnadottir (Touch Records) – cello

Aaron Stainthorpe (My Dying Bride) – vocals

Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) – vocals

Marissa Nadler (Kemado Records solo artist, appears on Xasthur’s latest record) – vocals

David Tibet (Current 93) – cover art

Faith Coloccia (Mamiffer) – design, layout, painting, collage

swwwpic Sailors With Wax Wings Announce Debut Album

Stream the track, “If I Should Cast Off This Tattered Coat,” HERE!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 23, 2010 @ 8:17am
Category: Music / News

Dream Theater’s James LaBrie is easily one of the defining, elite and naturally talented vocalists the world has to offer and after selling over a million albums worldwide he further challenges himself with an aggressive and dynamic new solo effort. The much anticipated new full-length offering, Static Impulse, also marks LaBrie’s first solo effort in over five years and is sure to please his legion of diehard fans, as well as win over many new devotees in the process. Be sure to stay tuned to www.jameslabrie.com for new information.

LaBrie states: “Hi everyone. The release of Static Impulse is one that the whole band is psyched about. This is modern Metal and as heavy and relevant as any other band out there going in a similar musical direction. There are riffs that will blow your head off and melodies both musically and vocally that are hypnotic. Get in the driver’s seat and let the ears bleed. Enjoy and see you out there with a tour to follow up and support this release.”

Guillory further comments: “One year and two months in the making and we’re finally done. I’m really pleased with the way this record came out. James sounds fantastic, as well as the rest of the guys. Without a doubt, it’s our heaviest record thus far yet at the same time, it’s also our most melodic. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

In addition to Dream Theater’s numerous studio and live releases, LaBrie has also appeared on releases by Fates Warning, Redemption, Trent Gardner’s Explorer’s Club, Leonardo The Absolute Man, Frameshift, Ayreon’s The Human Equation, as well as tribute albums to Rush, Emerson Lake & Palmer and Queen.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 06, 2010 @ 6:13pm
Category: Music / News

Sweden’s progressive metal band (and one of my own personal favorite groups), Katatonia, has launched a teaser trailer for their forthcoming headlining US tour, the “Night Over North America” tour. The MetalSucks.net sponsored trek, which features Swallow The Sun and Orphaned Land in support, will kick off in Baltimore on September 8th.

Katatonia has been relentlessly touring across Europe in support of their 2009 full-length release, Night is the New Day, which sold over 2,000 copies in the US in its first week. The band also released an EP, ‘The Longest Year’, earlier this spring. The band’s latest music video for the EP’s title track can be viewed at: http://www.nightisthenewday.com/.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 24, 2010 @ 9:23pm
Category: Music / News

Guitar World magazine has posted an interview with guitarist Peter Wichers, of the Godfathers of Swedish modern metal Soilwork. In the video Wichers breaks down riffs from their new album The Panic Broadcast and talks about his gear and influences as a guitar player.

SOILWORK, are currently working on a music video for the song “Deliverance Is Mine” to be directed by Ivan Colic (Ex Deo, Type O Negative, Unleashed) and produced by Stanimir Lucik.

The Panic Broadcast is the first album to feature original guitarist, songwriter & producer Peter Wichers since his return to the band in 2008 and is set to be released on July 2 (Europe) and July 13 (N. America) via Nuclear Blast! Produced by Wichers and mixed by Jen Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Katatonia, Symphony X), this is the record long time Soilwork fans have been waiting for! Pre-order the regular or deluxe edition with or without an exclusive shirt design. First 500 orders will receive an autographed poster while supplies last.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 13, 2010 @ 11:43pm
Category: Music / News

I was reading through Blabbermouth earlier and came across this news post that excited me so much, I just had to share it with all of you. Katatonia will be touring the U.S. with Swallow The Sun and Orphaned Land as openers. ‘Night is the New Day’ was one of my favorite releases of last year and is still an album that I spin regularly. Orphaned Land was a band that I had the pleasure of interviewing while I was in Israel and I can honestly say that they are class act guys. You can be sure that I will be seeing them in Detroit!