Katatonia: Birds

Ahead of their January 20th release, Swedish metal masters, Katatonia, have released their third and final single, “Birds” from the highly anticipated Sky Void of Stars.

Jonas Renkse (vocals) and Anders Nyström (guitars) founded Katatonia in 1991 and current members Roger Öjersson (guitars), Niklas Sandin (bass) and Daniel Moilanen (drums) joined throughout the 2000’s.

photo by Mathias Blom

The band says this of their upcoming album,

Our 12th album, Sky Void of Stars, is a dynamic journey through vibrant darkness. Born out of yearning for what was lost and not found, the very peripheries of the unreachable, but composed and condensed into human form and presented as sounds and words true to the Katatonia signum. No stars here, just violent rain.

While Sky Void of Stars may be a journey through the darkness, “Birds” is anything but dark.

“Birds” has a Rush-like feeling. Instead of Geddy Lee’s higher vocal range, Jonas’ vocal sits lower with more emotional angst with a Peter Murphy vibe. His vocals are held tight to his chest until the chorus where he allows himself a freedom to be. In contrast to the Jonas’ vocals, Anders, Roger, and Niklas bring the warmth and the heat as their playing is like a bright light drawing Jonas’ vocals to it like a moth to a flame.

Watch the video for “Birds” below

Sky Void of Stars track listing:
Austerity
Colossal Shade
Opaline
Birds
Drab Moon
Author
Impermanence (featuring Joel Ekelöf)
Sclera
Atrium
No Beacon To Illuminate Our Fall
Absconder (Bonus Track)

Pre-order Sky Void of Stars

Photo credit Mathias Blom