Katatonia have once again graced North America with their presence, bringing their brand of doom-laden, contemplative, and unquestionably heavy metal to hungry fans for the third time this year. They are still touring in support of their amazing 2012 release, Dead End Kings, and this tour sees the Swedish legends in a more of a true “headlining” slot. Lead guitarist Per Eriksson was generous enough to speak with Metal Exiles about the tour, and bring us into the inner circle of the Dethroned & Uncrowned production process.
An Interview with Per Eriksson
By John Knowles
Metal Exiles: How has the tour been for you guys so far?
Per Eriksson: It’s been a short tour. It’s been good, but it started out pretty rough for us. We had technical issues, and stuff that kind of fucked the show up a little bit. It took a couple of shows to get it right, but it’s been fine since.
Metal Exiles: Tell me a bit about how you came in to the band, and how the transition has been for you.
Per: I started out as Katatonia’s guitar tech back in 2004, I think. So I did tech work for the band for about 6 years until the Norrman brothers decided to leave the band. So it was kind of easy because I already knew everybody, and I still do the same guitar tech work I did back then, even now.
Metal Exiles: You, and many of your European peers, produce a form of metal which I think has faced huge challenges in finding a home here in the States. Yet you guys seem to tour here often. Is there something special for you guys about the American market?
Per: Actually, we’ve been here a lot lately. This is the third tour in a year’s period I think. Which is maybe a little too much (laughs)? Because Europe only got one tour, and this is the third tour we’ve done over here. But we decided to do this just because it was a short one, and we had the time to do it. I think it’s going to take a while for us to come back after this. It feels a little bit like we over played the market.
Metal Exiles: On your last tour you served as main support for your brothers in Opeth. This time around you are co-headlining. Can you tell us a little bit about the crowd response and energy you’re experiencing this time around as opposed to the previous tour?
Per: Well, the Opeth tours are often very good for us, because we have kind of similar fans...their fans kind of like what we do. However, there’s not really a difference for us. We did the big headline tour with Devin about a year ago, and that was great too. America has been very good for us lately I think. That’s great because we like coming here, and scene seeing, touring America, which is much easier than in Europe . And it’s warm down here which is nice.
Metal Exiles: Your latest release was Dethroned & Uncrowned, and it is certainly an amazing offering. You really captured a special mood and vibe, and were able to present Dead End Kings in a cool and unique way.
Per: The thing we wanted to do, why we did that album was to strip down all the hard parts, because there’s a lot of stuff going on on the album (Kings) that doesn’t shine through like we wanted to. We wanted to show the whole picture.
Metal Exiles: Talk to me about Dead End Kings for a moment, because I truly believe there is something special about that album. Share with us some of your thoughts on what makes that album so special, and the right fit for an Uncrowned-type project.
Per: I think the idea to strip Dead End Kings down came before the album was actually finished. When we did the album, and while we were recording it we would say, “This is shit, this album is gonna suck.” You listen to stuff so many times while you’re recording it starts to sound boring. It takes a while for you to appreciate the album. You need to step away from it for a little while and then come back to it to say, “Oh, it is a great album.” I’m not sure if we’re there yet, but we’re very proud of the album, of course. And I think we recorded that album a little different than what’s usually done. We recorded all the guitars ourselves, Anders and I engineered everything, and we sat down and had a lot of time to really go through everything and make it. But other than that I don’t feel it’s a special album apart from people telling us it’s a special album. Maybe down the road we can say that too.
Metal Exiles: Did creating the Uncrowned project allow you to appreciate it more in any way.
Per: To be honest I hated doing that, because it was a pain in the ass. When the idea came up it was like, “yeah, you just take the guitars off, you take the drums off, and it’s done.” So we said, “Alright lets do that, that’s easy!” But then we found parts with nothing on it, and nothing happening. So we had to start adding things, like adding acoustic guitars, and it took a lot longer than what we thought we would do. So I kinda hated it, and I haven’t actually heard it yet, finished. But it looks great, and I think it is great. So I’m glad we did it, but I hated it while it lasted.
Metal Exiles: So on that note, do you have a favorite memory or experience from
Uncrowned? Was there any aspect of it that was enjoyable?
Per: It was all done really fast, I didn’t have time to kind of reflect on that we did. It was kind of like: Okay, we have a part here, what can we add to this part to make it more interesting or whatever? It was like, okay we can put this guitar piece on it. So we did that, and then there was another piece. So there’s probably a lot of stuff on that album that I don’t even remember recording.
Metal Exiles: I was wondering if you could please walk us through your songwriting process. I’ve always wanted to better understand bands that produce music in the manner you do, with one principle songwriter who isn’t say, the guitarist in the band. What is Katatonia’s songwriting process? What is the process when you and the other guys contribute their ideas?
Per: Yeah, I think Jonas writes most it. I think they (being Anders and Jonas) did 50/50, but Jonas has done a little more on the later albums. Basically what we do is that everyone writes their own stuff at home. And we do the same with Bloodbath as well. And that’s probably how they have worked since the beginning. And then we kinda put it all together in the studio after. So we all make demos at home, since we all have home studios with Pro Tools rigs where we program the drums, and do everything, which allows you to listen to the whole thing. But obviously everyone’s got an input on the song’s structure. So everyone presents basically finished songs, and says: This is what I’ve done, this is what I want to do with it, this is how I want the vocals...or whatever. And with Jonas, he likes everything to sound perfect, so he spends hours and hours on just the sounds of the drums he’s programming. So his demos sound amazing! It could be the actual album. On the last album Jonas and I wrote a song together. So I did all the guitars, and that was where I was able to say, “maybe we should change this part of the song a little bit...” And that’s basically how it works.
Metal Exiles: Have you started brainstorming ideas, concepts, or direction for the next record? Can you share anything with the fans about what to expect?
Per: We haven’t really had the time to work on it. We have talked about it, and there’s a lot of stuff that I personally want to do visually on the tour that’s going to have to wait till the next time. So I’m very excited to get that going. So as soon as possible, maybe we could start recording a new album next year, because it shouldn’t be...there’s been long periods between the albums, and I don’t think we want to do that this time. We kinda want to keep working I think.
Metal Exiles: To celebrate its 10th anniversary, you are getting ready to release the revamped/remixed/re-mastered reissue of the album Viva Emptiness on October 28th. You’ll also be performing the album in its entirety on the upcoming European tour with Paradise Lost and Lacuna Coil. Can you tell us why you feel this is an album worth celebrating and also, re-releasing?
Per: The reason why it’s being remastered and remixed is because the first didn’t sound all that good to start out with. I don’t really remember but it was something wrong with the drums on that album. I think all the drums were replaced with old drum machines, which made it sound kind of crappy. I think the sound the album has now is what it deserved to have back then. It’s a great album, but it sounds like shit. But the reason we’re doing the tour I’m not sure. We did the 1oth anniversary of The Last Fair Deal Gone Down two years ago. So I’m not really sure why we’re celebrating this album. And I’m pretty sure its not going to be this for every album, because that’s just gonna be weird. But I think we got asked to do this anniversary thing with Paradise Lost, and we thought we could do the anniversary thing for Viva Emptiness and just do a package of it. So I don’t think there’s a particular reason why were doing this, if its just for the event, or if its just the right time. Its a fun project, because there’s a lot of songs you never get to play live so its fun to try them out.
Metal Exiles: Would you care to comment on your set list for this tour? There are a few rarities you chose this time around.
Per: Well basically we’ve been here a lot. And we kind of feel like we needed to change it up a bit. And at the start of the tour we almost had like obscure songs. But after like two shows we kind of figured that maybe everybody doesn’t want to hear those songs, people want to hear stuff they know. You have to mix it up a little bit. I’m pretty excited about the set list we have now, its fun...different.
Metal Exiles: What about “The Parting.” Why hasn’t this amazing song been played live?
Per: Well we have played “The Parting.” I believe we played it to open the European tour, for like 8 weeks. But I guess we haven’t played it in America...that’s interesting.
Metal Exiles: Per, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me about the tour, and your work in the band. I have two more quick questions for you as a metal fan. First, do you have a favorite album, band, or song you can share with us?
Per: My favorite album...that’s really hard. I think my favorite album would be Abigail by King Diamond. It is probably one of the best albums ever made.
Metal Exiles: If you could be a fly on the wall for any metal recording in history, what would it be?
Per: Recordings are boring (laughs). Something short.
Metal Exiles: Misfits’ Earth A.D.? You’d be done in like 15 minutes.
Well, thanks so much, again for your time!
Per: No worries, man.
Buy Dethroned & Uncrowned
Buy Dethroned & Uncrowned on Vinyl!
Pre-Order Viva Emptiness - 10th Anniversary Edition
An Interview with Per Eriksson
By John Knowles
Metal Exiles: How has the tour been for you guys so far?
Per Eriksson: It’s been a short tour. It’s been good, but it started out pretty rough for us. We had technical issues, and stuff that kind of fucked the show up a little bit. It took a couple of shows to get it right, but it’s been fine since.
Metal Exiles: Tell me a bit about how you came in to the band, and how the transition has been for you.
Per: I started out as Katatonia’s guitar tech back in 2004, I think. So I did tech work for the band for about 6 years until the Norrman brothers decided to leave the band. So it was kind of easy because I already knew everybody, and I still do the same guitar tech work I did back then, even now.
Metal Exiles: You, and many of your European peers, produce a form of metal which I think has faced huge challenges in finding a home here in the States. Yet you guys seem to tour here often. Is there something special for you guys about the American market?
Per: Actually, we’ve been here a lot lately. This is the third tour in a year’s period I think. Which is maybe a little too much (laughs)? Because Europe only got one tour, and this is the third tour we’ve done over here. But we decided to do this just because it was a short one, and we had the time to do it. I think it’s going to take a while for us to come back after this. It feels a little bit like we over played the market.
Metal Exiles: On your last tour you served as main support for your brothers in Opeth. This time around you are co-headlining. Can you tell us a little bit about the crowd response and energy you’re experiencing this time around as opposed to the previous tour?
Per: Well, the Opeth tours are often very good for us, because we have kind of similar fans...their fans kind of like what we do. However, there’s not really a difference for us. We did the big headline tour with Devin about a year ago, and that was great too. America has been very good for us lately I think. That’s great because we like coming here, and scene seeing, touring America, which is much easier than in Europe . And it’s warm down here which is nice.
Metal Exiles: Your latest release was Dethroned & Uncrowned, and it is certainly an amazing offering. You really captured a special mood and vibe, and were able to present Dead End Kings in a cool and unique way.
Per: The thing we wanted to do, why we did that album was to strip down all the hard parts, because there’s a lot of stuff going on on the album (Kings) that doesn’t shine through like we wanted to. We wanted to show the whole picture.
Metal Exiles: Talk to me about Dead End Kings for a moment, because I truly believe there is something special about that album. Share with us some of your thoughts on what makes that album so special, and the right fit for an Uncrowned-type project.
Per: I think the idea to strip Dead End Kings down came before the album was actually finished. When we did the album, and while we were recording it we would say, “This is shit, this album is gonna suck.” You listen to stuff so many times while you’re recording it starts to sound boring. It takes a while for you to appreciate the album. You need to step away from it for a little while and then come back to it to say, “Oh, it is a great album.” I’m not sure if we’re there yet, but we’re very proud of the album, of course. And I think we recorded that album a little different than what’s usually done. We recorded all the guitars ourselves, Anders and I engineered everything, and we sat down and had a lot of time to really go through everything and make it. But other than that I don’t feel it’s a special album apart from people telling us it’s a special album. Maybe down the road we can say that too.
Metal Exiles: Did creating the Uncrowned project allow you to appreciate it more in any way.
Per: To be honest I hated doing that, because it was a pain in the ass. When the idea came up it was like, “yeah, you just take the guitars off, you take the drums off, and it’s done.” So we said, “Alright lets do that, that’s easy!” But then we found parts with nothing on it, and nothing happening. So we had to start adding things, like adding acoustic guitars, and it took a lot longer than what we thought we would do. So I kinda hated it, and I haven’t actually heard it yet, finished. But it looks great, and I think it is great. So I’m glad we did it, but I hated it while it lasted.
Metal Exiles: So on that note, do you have a favorite memory or experience from
Uncrowned? Was there any aspect of it that was enjoyable?
Per: It was all done really fast, I didn’t have time to kind of reflect on that we did. It was kind of like: Okay, we have a part here, what can we add to this part to make it more interesting or whatever? It was like, okay we can put this guitar piece on it. So we did that, and then there was another piece. So there’s probably a lot of stuff on that album that I don’t even remember recording.
Metal Exiles: I was wondering if you could please walk us through your songwriting process. I’ve always wanted to better understand bands that produce music in the manner you do, with one principle songwriter who isn’t say, the guitarist in the band. What is Katatonia’s songwriting process? What is the process when you and the other guys contribute their ideas?
Per: Yeah, I think Jonas writes most it. I think they (being Anders and Jonas) did 50/50, but Jonas has done a little more on the later albums. Basically what we do is that everyone writes their own stuff at home. And we do the same with Bloodbath as well. And that’s probably how they have worked since the beginning. And then we kinda put it all together in the studio after. So we all make demos at home, since we all have home studios with Pro Tools rigs where we program the drums, and do everything, which allows you to listen to the whole thing. But obviously everyone’s got an input on the song’s structure. So everyone presents basically finished songs, and says: This is what I’ve done, this is what I want to do with it, this is how I want the vocals...or whatever. And with Jonas, he likes everything to sound perfect, so he spends hours and hours on just the sounds of the drums he’s programming. So his demos sound amazing! It could be the actual album. On the last album Jonas and I wrote a song together. So I did all the guitars, and that was where I was able to say, “maybe we should change this part of the song a little bit...” And that’s basically how it works.
Metal Exiles: Have you started brainstorming ideas, concepts, or direction for the next record? Can you share anything with the fans about what to expect?
Per: We haven’t really had the time to work on it. We have talked about it, and there’s a lot of stuff that I personally want to do visually on the tour that’s going to have to wait till the next time. So I’m very excited to get that going. So as soon as possible, maybe we could start recording a new album next year, because it shouldn’t be...there’s been long periods between the albums, and I don’t think we want to do that this time. We kinda want to keep working I think.
Metal Exiles: To celebrate its 10th anniversary, you are getting ready to release the revamped/remixed/re-mastered reissue of the album Viva Emptiness on October 28th. You’ll also be performing the album in its entirety on the upcoming European tour with Paradise Lost and Lacuna Coil. Can you tell us why you feel this is an album worth celebrating and also, re-releasing?
Per: The reason why it’s being remastered and remixed is because the first didn’t sound all that good to start out with. I don’t really remember but it was something wrong with the drums on that album. I think all the drums were replaced with old drum machines, which made it sound kind of crappy. I think the sound the album has now is what it deserved to have back then. It’s a great album, but it sounds like shit. But the reason we’re doing the tour I’m not sure. We did the 1oth anniversary of The Last Fair Deal Gone Down two years ago. So I’m not really sure why we’re celebrating this album. And I’m pretty sure its not going to be this for every album, because that’s just gonna be weird. But I think we got asked to do this anniversary thing with Paradise Lost, and we thought we could do the anniversary thing for Viva Emptiness and just do a package of it. So I don’t think there’s a particular reason why were doing this, if its just for the event, or if its just the right time. Its a fun project, because there’s a lot of songs you never get to play live so its fun to try them out.
Metal Exiles: Would you care to comment on your set list for this tour? There are a few rarities you chose this time around.
Per: Well basically we’ve been here a lot. And we kind of feel like we needed to change it up a bit. And at the start of the tour we almost had like obscure songs. But after like two shows we kind of figured that maybe everybody doesn’t want to hear those songs, people want to hear stuff they know. You have to mix it up a little bit. I’m pretty excited about the set list we have now, its fun...different.
Metal Exiles: What about “The Parting.” Why hasn’t this amazing song been played live?
Per: Well we have played “The Parting.” I believe we played it to open the European tour, for like 8 weeks. But I guess we haven’t played it in America...that’s interesting.
Metal Exiles: Per, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me about the tour, and your work in the band. I have two more quick questions for you as a metal fan. First, do you have a favorite album, band, or song you can share with us?
Per: My favorite album...that’s really hard. I think my favorite album would be Abigail by King Diamond. It is probably one of the best albums ever made.
Metal Exiles: If you could be a fly on the wall for any metal recording in history, what would it be?
Per: Recordings are boring (laughs). Something short.
Metal Exiles: Misfits’ Earth A.D.? You’d be done in like 15 minutes.
Well, thanks so much, again for your time!
Per: No worries, man.
Buy Dethroned & Uncrowned
Buy Dethroned & Uncrowned on Vinyl!
Pre-Order Viva Emptiness - 10th Anniversary Edition
