Anders Nyström Issues Statement Regarding His Katatonia Departure

Anders Nyström has issued a statement confirming his departure from Katatonia, following the announcement made by the band’s vocalist/guitarist, Jonas Renkse, on March 17th. Nyström, who co-founded the progressive metal band in the early ’90s, is parting ways with the group after decades of collaboration.

Renkse‘s statement reads:

“Anders Nyström and I are going our separate ways. A decision not taken lightly, but for everyone to thrive and move forward with their own creative preferences as well as personal schedules this has become the realistic option. Anders and I started the band in 1991 and his impact on the band’s trademark sound is undeniable. As bleak as this sounds, and is, it’s further evidence of life getting in the way of our preferred plans. I wish Anders all the best for the future.

Jonas Renkse“

Today, Nyström commented further on the split, explaining a rift over his desire to revisit the band’s earlier death and doom metal-influenced material.

He said:

“Sad but true.

The time has come for me to confirm that the paths Jonas and I have chosen for both Katatonia and ourselves have diverged too far, and as a result, our long-term collaboration has come to an end.

Jonas and I founded Katatonia nearly 35 years ago, and it’s undeniable that the band’s legacy will continue to be a significant part of both of our lives, whether through our past, future, or any of the chapters in between.

Each of us has our own preferences for the band’s eras, but it seems that any desire to embrace all parts of Katatonia’s history in our live shows has sadly been left behind. While I still love all our albums, the early material has been neglected for years, and the feeling of ‘unfinished business’ has only grown stronger. I believe that songs from our early to mid discography deserve equal recognition and should be included in our live shows, where the past should always live on. Unfortunately, that door has been closed, leaving everything we did before the millennium in a void.

Given the changes, Katatonia could have been laid to rest while allowing each of us to move forward in different directions under a new name. But with Jonas now continuing with new members and his own vision, I no longer need to wait to see which way things go—I’ll step into the void and take what’s been left behind. Katatonia’s legacy lives on, both in the early days and what’s to come.

I’d like to thank Jonas and my former bandmates for an incredible journey over four decades.

Blessed be!

Anders ‘Blakkheim’ Nyström”

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