Fresh from a mini UK tour with Paradise Lost and with their stunning new album, 'Night Is The New Day' out there Katatonia are back creating shock waves within the world of Metal. How could we miss the opportunity to catch up with Daniel Liljekvist? We couldn't!

The bands new album ‘Night Is The New Day’ is just out, how would you describe the overall sound of the record? Where do you feel stylistically the album fits into your discography?

The sound is so incredibly big and layered. It’s hard to get the whole thing in one or two listening's, it’s a real grower in a positive way. The album is a perfect follow up on The Great Cold Distance.

Given the phenomenal success of ‘The Great Cold Distance’ how did you guys approach writing of the record, you must have felt a huge weight of expectation from fans and press alike?

We did! We had booked studios pre Night Is The New Day but bailed out the last minute because we didn’t think the songs were good enough. I think there were more pressure on our selves this time.

Lyrically where does the influence form the record come from? The album again carries a whole new level of melancholy.

Recording was divided between Studio Mega ( for drums) and Ghost Ward Studios, what was the thinking behind using two studios? What did each studio off that differed from one another?

I understand your time in GhostWard influenced the mood of the album and helped you explore the “darker corners of life”. What was it about the studio that left such a lasting impact and was there any particular songs more influenced than others?

Night Is The New Day’ was co-produced, engineered and mixed by David Castillo. What did David bring to the process?

He knows all the technical stuff, mic drums, amps etc and we don’t.

The bands sound has changed greatly over your career but have your influences changed along the way also? Are you guys still into the bands that inspired the creation of Katatonia back in 1991?

Of course! I don’t think you never let go of a band that you liked in the past. I don’t and I still listen to the punk bands and cheesy pop songs I did when I was young(er).

The record again has striking imagery, how did the album cover concept come about and what input into the concept did you guys have?

The band has taken the unusual method of communicating with fans by asking them to send questions in and you’ll then have the answers posted on the Peaceville site. How did this idea take shape and have you been surprised the interest the album has generated in your fans?

I don’t know whose idea it was but I think it’s a cool thing to do. How many times have you read an interview with a band and thought to your self; why didn’t the interviewer ask about [insert smart question here]? Now everyone had their chance and we actually got a few good ones too.

Given your extensive back catalogue how has the band gone about selecting the songs to appear on your set list?

It’s getting harder and harder. We want to play as many songs as possible but in the end we can’t please everyone. I think we are going to rehearse more song so we can alter the set from night to night.

Jonas brings most personalities… literally. Anders is the dad. He’s on the case! Mattias is the shy one, when he’s sober. Fred is the thinker and I think I’m the entertainer.