Following the release of their critically acclaimed album “Night Is the New Day” in November 2009, Katatonia are set to tour the UK in 2010. Formed in 1991 by Anders Nyström and Jonas Renkse, their debut album, ‘Dance of December Souls’, was released in 1993, gaining the band recognition for their eclectic brand of gothic doom/death metal & joining acts such as Paradise Lost & My Dying Bride to become one of the genre’s defining bands. On future albums a newer, sleeker Katatonia sound came to the fore, starting with a streamlined & structured collection of melodic dark rock songs that became the third album ‘Discouraged Ones’; the main evolution point for modern day Katatonia. The band’s eighth album ‘Night Is The New Day’ sees a band at the height of their powers, a continuation of the heaviness, depth & atmosphere of their previous album, ‘The Great Cold Distance’. ‘Night Is the New Day’ is also a more multi-dimensional effort - waltzing between prog moments, doom, folk & the classic melodic anthems that are staple to Katatonia’s uncompromising sound. Katatonia are completed by the haunting tones of Jonas Renkse’s journeys of urban & emotional decay, & now joined by Frank Default on keyboards, notable for his work on the track ‘Unfurl’ from the ‘July’ EP - utilising his expertise to the fullest to texture the soundscapes. The album was recorded throughout July 2009 & was co-produced, engineered and mixed by David Castillo (Opeth, InMe). Recording was divided between Studio Mega (for drums) and Ghost Ward Studios, where most recording took place; this provided a dose of inspiration from the darker corners of life with its choice of location. Mastering was completed at Fascination Street Studios (where ‘The Great Cold Distance’ was recorded) with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth and Paradise Lost)

Consummate live performers, Katatonia have just supported Paradise Lost across the UK and performed at the Hellfire festival. The bands have announced a series of headline UK gigs across the UK in March 2010 in addition to performing at Hammerfest II. Full dates are as follows -

Tues 9th March    Manchester – Academy 3
Wed 10th March   Nottingham – Basement
Thu 11th March    London – Garage
Fri 12th March      Hammerfest II – Prestatyn 
Sat 13th March     Cardiff – Barfly 
Sun 14th March    Wolverhampton – Little Civic

Tickets are priced £10 (£12 for London) – subject to booking fee. Tickets are available from www.seetickets.com  and 24hr cc hotline 08702643333. Doors are at 7.30pm – Katatonia onstage at 9pm. Support tbc… For Hammerfest see www.hammerfest.co.uk