Don’t get me wrong, I think the new Katatonia record, Night is the New Day, is pretty sweet. But this video for “Day and Then the Shade” — well, not so much. It’s just a couple of goth chicks writhing around in the woods with Marilyn Manson-circa-1996 jump cuts, shaky cams and timing changes. I don’t know if director Lasse Hoile — who has previously worked with Opeth and Porcupine Tree — thought of the “concept” on his own or was given orders from the label or band, but man, it’s a long way away from good. Yikes. Because I’m a fan of Katatonia and feel bad for them, here it is.

Though it’s doubtful that when his band put out their first demo 18 years ago he envisioned them becoming one of melancholic European doom’s most influential acts, vocalist Jonas Renkse of Sweden‘s Katatonia nonetheless wears his legacy humbly. On the eve of the release of Night is the New Day (Peaceville), the singer is more concerned with picking out which new songs will make it into upcoming gigs than with resting on his laurels or indulging in any, “Gosh, wasn’t Tonight’s Decision badass?” nonsense.

And yes, Tonight’s Decision was badass.

A decade, four full-lengths and a live album later, however, Katatonia are still in the midst of their stylistic development. Capitalizing on 2006′s more aggressive The Great Cold Distance while at once melding gloomy heaviness with the sedate, gently depressive atmospherics for which the band has become known, Night is the New Day offers strength in both aspects at the same time it molds them into something new entirely. Something new and yet still definitively Katatonia.

Such the way of the record and the band as a whole. Continually changing and shifting the expectations of their fans, Katatonia has become an institution of quality songcraft and execution — thanks in no small part to the writing talents of Renkse and guitarist Anders Nystr?m, the two lone remaining original members. Renkse recently took some time out for a phoner to discuss Night is the New Day and the progression of the band, and The Obelisk is honored to feature that interview after the jump. Please enjoy.

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