Angry Metal Guy

I kyped this from Blabbermouth ’cause they had it first:

Fredrik “North” Norrman (guitar) and Mattias “Kryptan” Norrman (bass) have both left Sweden’s KATATONIA. The band states, “We respect their decision and would like to take the opportunity to collectively thank them both for all the years gone by, all the ups and downs we shared out on the road, in the studio and basically the memories and moments we shared of our 20s growing up together.

“Fredrik was with us for 15 years and Mattias for 10 years and we were lucky to have the same intact lineup going since 1999, but it’s true what they say — all good things come to an end.

“We also know that out of the ashes of a setback new possibilities open up. We’ve already found temporary replacements for the upcoming tours and this will not affect any of our agenda or plans for 2010. Currently filling in for Fredrik on guitar will be longtime guitar tech and also guitarist of BLOODBATH, Mr. Per ‘Sodomizer’ Eriksson while we have Niklas ‘Nille’ Sandin filling Mattias‘ shoes on bass until we decide how to move on with the replaceable positions on a permanent long-term.”

The Norrman brothers have released the following statement regarding thier decision to leave KATATONIA:

Fredrik: “This is definitely the hardest decision I’ve ever made. It’s absolutely grievous to say the words ‘quit KATATONIA,’ even worse to make it happen.

“It’s been 15 really good years and I would like to thank the guys in the band and all people that I’ve meet on the road. I’ll now watch KATATONIA from your side.”

Mattias: “It’s with great sadness I have decided to leave KATATONIA after 10 fantastic years.

“This decision was probably the toughest I have ever made. The reason for this is many small factors that makes it hard for me to be away from home this forthcoming year. It’s going to be a lot of touring in the future so the time for this desicion had to be done now. And I will point out that there is no personal argue between us in the band, just that the time for touring isn’t right for me… This is not what I wanted, but family always comes in the first place.

“I would like to thank Jonas, Anders, Daniel, Fred and our crew for all those years together. It has truly been the best in my life. And a big thanx to all fans and all good friends I have made out there. You are the best and you will be missed…

“I really hope that one day when the time is right be able to continue the journey with the band.

“I wish all the best to you guys!! I’m really gonna miss the life on the road with you!”

Someone posted a good chunk of Katatonia‘s new record on YouTube and it got posted in a more compilation form here.  Sounds fucking great!

Ok, being the Katatonia fanboy that I am, I was very pleased to see, despite the questionable name Night is the New Day, the cover art for the new albums is totally fucking awesome.  Katatonia WIN!

I guess that one shouldn’t really be HAPPY when one hears about a new Katatonia record being released.  I mean, their music is massively depressing and it makes me all sad inside.  And yet, I love it so much.  I seriously think that Katatonia, like Amorphis, is one of those bands that got better when they went and sold out.  Come to think of it Anathema did the same thing.  Huh.  You’d think that I was just a poseur, but maybe it’s just that I don’t like doom metal that much.  Anyway, from any direction that you look at it from, a new Katatonia record is a really, really good thing.  Though, the name?  Yeah.. Night is the New Day?  Uh, yeah.  So they apparently really like Linkin Park now, but as long as they don’t start sounding like them (hint hint Lacuna Fucking Coil), I’ll be fine.

Here’s the presser from Northern Music—which includes the word “opus,” which I think is unwise, but they’re right when they say that The Great Cold Distance was totally excellent.:

“They say every night has it’s dawn, we say night is the new day!”

Katatonia, the Swedish masters of melancholy, are set to return with their follow-up to 2006’s groundbreaking album, ‘The Great Cold Distance’.

It can now be revealed that the latest opus is to be titled ‘Night Is the New Day’, with the band currently well along the road to completion of their eighth studio album. ‘Night Is the New Day‘ will be released on October 19th  (US – October 27th ) on Peaceville Records.

Keep a look-out for the upcoming launch of www.nightisthenewday.com for exclusives & more.

Assuming you couldn’t tell. I’m fucking stoked.