Katatonia is a Swedish heavy metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström.

While lineup changes started up again into the 2010s, Renkse and Nyström persisted, and the band continued on to release their ninth and tenth studio albums, Dead End Kings (2012) and The Fall of Hearts (2016).

[3][4] The release was enough of a hit in the underground metal scene to garner the attention of a small music label, Vic Records, which re-released it as an EP in 1993, which helped gain more exposure for the duo.

[2] The newfound popularity found them recruiting a bass guitarist, Guillaume Le Huche, so the trio could play live performances, and returning to the studio to recreate a debut full-length album.

[2] Additionally, Renkse wanted to focus further on dedicating himself to developing his clean vocals, leading him to no longer do any further drumming for the band.

[3] After the release of Tonight's Decision, the band, tired of continually searching for session musicians, finally decided to put together a stable, permanent lineup.

[3] The resulting album, Last Fair Deal Gone Down was released in May 2001,[15] and marked the band further distancing itself from traditional heavy metal music,[16] in favor of more of a hard rock sound.

[18] By mid-2002, the band had started to write material for their sixth album,[19] and by October 2002, they had entered the studio to begin formal recording sessions.

[36] Additionally, the band's first full North American tour, with Daylight Dies and Moonspell, ran through October and November 2006.

[42] Writer's block, largely stemming from the band feeling pressure to release a follow-up that could measure up to The Great Cold Distance, was main reason for the slow progress, as the album had been their biggest success, critically and financially, at the time.

[49][46] In March 2010, the band also released another EP, featuring unreleased and alternate versions of songs from Night is the New Day, titled The Longest Year,[46] which were later included on the special edition reissue of the album in 2011.

[58] In September 2013, the band also released Dethroned & Uncrowned, an album which featured more acoustic leaning re-workings of the songs from Dead End Kings.

[59] It was jointly funded by the Burning Shed record label and a crowd sourcing effort on PledgeMusic, which accumulated 190% of the target goal.

[63] Longtime drummer Liljekvist also left the band in April 2014, on friendly terms, citing personal and financial reasons.

[74] Unable to tour in support the album due to the oncoming of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band instead turned to releasing further music.

[78] Similarly, Nystrom noted of the band's live performances: Well, it must be hard sometimes for Jonas to sing his heart out with lyrics referring to personal dark and depressive matters and at the same time also be accused of being a reluctant frontman.

I actually think much of the stuff he sings about doesn't go in hand with running around on stage, throwing horns, smiling and firing up the audience.

[79]Renkse stated that early inspirations for Katatonia included bands of the death metal variety, namely Morbid Angel, Entombed, Carnage, Autopsy[80] and Paradise Lost; especially the latter's album Gothic.

Moreover, Renkse has on multiple occasions cited the work of American progressive metal band Tool as an influence.

[23][81] Nystrom has cited the work of Porcupine Tree as a large influence for the band in their post-death metal eras.

[82] For the 2011 Katatonia documentary Last Fair Day Gone Night, Nyström also credited alternative metal bands such as A Perfect Circle and Mudvayne with inspiring the heavy, single-string riff-oriented sound introduced on 2003's Viva Emptiness.

[92] Some artists and bands have cited Katatonia as an influence, among which are Agalloch,[93] Nachtmystium,[94] Andy Schmidt of Disillusion,[95] Niklas Kvarforth of Shining,[96] Klimt 1918,[97] Marcela Bovio of Stream of Passion,[98] Daylight Dies,[99] Nucleus Torn,[100] Khors,[101] Marjana Semkina of iamthemorning, Wet,[102] Vladimir Agafonkin of Obiymy Doshchu,[103] Nahemah,[104] Forest Stream,[105] Forgotten Tomb,[106] Alex Vynogradoff of Kauan,[107] Bilocate,[108][109] Maxime Côté of Catuvolcus,[110] Nocturnal Depression,[111] Last Leaf Down,[112] Schizoid Lloyd,[113] and Pallbearer.

[114] In addition, other artists have been quoted expressing admiration for their work including Mark Jansen of Epica,[115] Luc Lemay of Gorguts,[116] Jim Matheos of Fates Warning,[117] Esa Holopainen of Amorphis,[118] and Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Thief.