Photo by Terhi Ylimäinen
After more than three decades immersed in any endeavor, it would be normal to begin to take into account what kind of motivation remains. For Katatonia founder and frontman Jonas Renkse, turning 50, all while leading up to the release of his 13th studio album at the helm of the band - proved a convergence of circumstance that lead to some serious self-reflection.
And though Renkse has been at this for longer than he hasn't. the arrival of Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State is not without some variables that break from the routine. The album moves forward without longtime member Roger Öjersson and marks the first without co-founder Anders Nyström - the first in the band's 35 year tenure.
While Renkse has reconciled the reconfiguration as something that was ultimately better for Katatonia, it still meant incorporating two new players into the unit chemistry with Nico Elgstrand and Sebastian Svalland taking on guitars and getting acclimated in a project. A hurdle if for no other reason than getting onboard with the band's established signature that has been reiterated for generations.
Ultimately governed by his love of the craft and his commitment to the art, Renkse, variables aside proceeded the same he always has - confident that the music of Katatonia would speak for itself. Wasting little time in coming off the Sky Void of Stars cycle of 2023, Renkse had already began fleshing out ideas, compiling riffs and stanzas that would serve as Katatonia's next album.
Leaning into a healthy, persistent curiosity, Renkse confides that he operates with a mix of emotions - self-assured in his creative voice that has always been authentic to Katatonia and excitedly uncertain about what exactly will come next. It's a compelling combination of being sure-footed on shaky ground that seems drives Renkse to press ahead - album after album and decade after decade.
As for the latest iteration of Katatona, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State asserts the kind of progression that has long been synonymous with the Swedish vets. A deliberate collision of prog un-conventionalism, a dreamy gothic dread and the mountaintop-like melody of heavy-riff shoegaze, Katatonia continues to lead into new creative terrain while never veering too far from their point of origin.
Speaking on the latest album and navigating ahead, Jonas Renkse offers his take on the current state of Kataonia and how despite how much things can change, the more they tend to stay the same.
Between City Burials, Sky Void of Stars and now Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State - the band has maintained a very prolific creative pace. How soon following the Sky Void of Stars cycle did you begin flesh out ideas for this new album?
JONAS RENKSE - I think I started the serious writing when we came back from the touring cycle, but I already had ideas lying around and was eager to start checking them out more seriously.
How did the addition of Nico Elgstrand and Sebastian Svalland enhance the creative chemistry of the band at least in terms of being confident to execute these new songs live?
RENKSE - It’s been working out really well. We had done a long tour already for Sky Void of Stars with Nico as a stand in guitarist so we knew the chemistry was there. And with them both being part of the album, I think that’s a great motivating factor now going further into live activities.
This is the first Katatonia album without Anders Nyström. What are your feelings about that when you consider such a big change after more than three decades together?
RENKSE - It wasn’t that big of a change to be honest, as he didn’t contribute much to the last few albums. Obviously he’s been an important figure in the band and the good times are missed, but I want the music to speak of its current presence, its current incarnation and the here and now rather than what could have been.
There are few bands that enjoy the kind of longevity that Katatonia have. What do you attribute that kind of endurance to and do you ever envision the story of Katatonia being complete?
RENKSE - I don’t really know what have caused this longevity, but my guess would be that we keep the curiosity alive, the love for music and to be creative is a fuel that we haven’t ran out of yet. Right now, I’m as excited as anyone else what the next album will bring. I have no idea what it will sound like but I can’t wait to find out!
Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State sounds like a very ominous title for a record that actually has a real sense of ethereal beauty and melody. Do you see the contrast there? Was that intentional?
RENKSE - There surely is a contrast, but for me this album has a more introspective vibe to it than the last few albums. Also, the silver lining with having nightmares is that it’s quite a relief when you wake up and realize it wasn’t more than a dream.
Musically, Sky Void of Stars and Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State seem to work in tandem. The compositions and textures really make this new album feel like a continuation in a series. Was the goal to have these two albums function as a pair?
RENKSE - Not really, but there will always be some obvious similarities since they are albums made by the same band. We have built a signature sound that we are comfortable with and that we want to expand on, but not stray too far from either.
13 studio albums along with compilations, live albums and a collection of EP releases make Katatonia an incredibly prolific band. Given that vast body of work, where does Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State rank for you personally?
RENKSE - Right now, I’m just happy to have it released. It think the coming months will help me evaluate in the true sense as we will start playing the new songs live, etc. But I’m really happy with the album, it’s up there with the favourite stuff for sure.
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Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State is currently available via Napalm Records. Order the album - HERE

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