Only Heavy Metal

It has been some time coming but guitarist Per ‘Sodomizer’ Eriksson and Katatonia have now mutually agreed to part ways. Per joined the band in 2010 as a live session player and after some substantial touring quickly became a steady fixture being heavily involved in the recording of Katatonia’s 2012 critically acclaimed studio album ‘Dead End Kings’.

A difference in views on the band’s current operative as well as last year’s decision from Per to permanently live in Barcelona have made his involvement in the band too problematic, both for him and for the remaining band members. They part ways as good friends and on a related note, his position within the death metal “super-group” Bloodbath remains unchanged and he will soon join his fellow band members in the studio to record their 4th album to be released on Peaceville records this fall.

Katatonia’s upcoming ‘Dethroned & Uncrowned’ Tour will go ahead as scheduled and will see none other than Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief, Wisdom of Crowds) as a special guest taking on guitar and vocal duties.

Dear friends and fans,

I’ve been thinking about this for the last couple of months and I’ve come to the sad conclusion that i have to leave the band. It’s got nothing to do with ’difference in views´or any other bullshit. I just cannot combine job, family and commit 100% to Katatonia. Times for musicians are rough and i’ve decided to concentrate on my family and get a normal job that gets the bills payed.

I’ve had some of the best moments in my life the past 14 odd years together with my favorite people in the world. I’ve been all over the planet with this lot…my second family. Thank you! I’m gonna miss playing with you and I’m gonna miss hanging out with you on the road so much. And I’m gonna miss meeting all the great Katatonia fans all over the world. You know who you are. You are truly amazing! I’m not gonna miss all the freaks and idiots we’ve come across during all the years. You probably don’t know who you are. And I will not miss bad catering, shit beer and banana juice…

This is Daniel, rocking the fuck off! Cheers!

We are sad and hollow to see Daniel leave our ranks, but yet his decision has our sincere understanding. Nothing lasts forever and all good things must come to an end sooner or later. Yet it makes it so much more frustrating when it happens for the wrong reasons or before reaching our terminus. Particularly, we can’t pretend the current climate has nothing to do with it, in fact this is undeniably yet another outcome of musicians struggling at the crossroads of today’s “scene/industry”. Tragically, this situation forces a member, brother – and our fans favourite long-time drummer – to resign from a band he sacrificed a decade and a half to build. While encouraging this topic to inevitable debate and re-evaluation, we will always be grateful for the years we shared together and we wish Daniel the best of luck in the future. It goes without saying, we part as band members, but certainly remain as friends.

'Last Fair Day Gone Night' features the Swedish dark rock/metal masters at their glorious best with this electrifying set from London’s esteemed Koko venue, with the band’s captivating performance captured on DVD with accompanying double audio disc of the whole concert. This special 4-disc set, released 15th September, also includes a full & extensive documentary charting the early days and subsequent rise of the prolific Swedes, as told in the words of band masterminds Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström.

Recorded during a series of special celebratory shows to mark the band’s 20th anniversary during 2011's ‘Last Fair Day Gone Night’ tour, founding members Anders Nyström & Jonas Renkse are joined by drummer Daniel Liljekvist, plus guitarist Per Eriksson and bassist Niklas Sandin, for an exhilarating evening fuelled by a rich & extensive set of Katatonia tracks both past & present. Also includes a special 10th anniversary performance of the landmark 2001 album 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down’ in its entirety. Sleeve artwork comes courtesy of long-time collaborator Travis Smith.

This edition of 'Last Fair Day Gone Night' is presented in deluxe mediabook packaging, including an additional 20 page booklet.