Night Is the New Day

Night Is the New Day is the eighth studio album by Swedish heavy metal band Katatonia. It was released 2 November 2009, in Europe and 10 November 2009, in North America through Peaceville Records. Thirteen tracks were recorded, eleven of which made it onto the record. The band describes the material as "Our most varied, diverse and possibly strongest shit all together on one and the same album". "Idle Blood" had the working title "Kozelek", named after Mark Kozelek, a member of Red House Painters, which is one of Katatonia's influences. This is the last Katatonia release with the Norrman brothers.

Release and reception
Night Is the New Day sold more than 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. "Day and Then the Shade" was the first single, released in late 2009. The promotional video for this song was directed by Lasse Hoile.

Musical style
Night Is the New Day shows Katatonia expanding their music palette. The album shows a slightly more progressive sound than The Great Cold Distance, yet retains the heaviness and morose atmosphere, with electronics and synths playing an important role. The big, heavy parts are interspersed with quiet, somber electronics, and acoustic guitars. Each song transforms frequently, changing tempo, intensity and texture. "Forsaker" starts aggressively but soon the down-tuned metal chords shift to chiming darkwave strains. "The Longest Year" intertwines synth and metal passages, while the acoustic style of "Idle Blood" is comparable to Opeth and Porcupine Tree. "Nephilim" brings together a dissonant minor-chord chorus with a plodding beat and an oppressive atmosphere. The single "Day and Then the Shade" is both brooding and heavy, as well as atmospheric and progressive.

Critical reception
The album was generally well received by critics. The album was deemed the second best metal album of 2009 by Popmatters.

Track listing
All lyrics by Jonas Renkse except where noted, all music by Renkse, except where noted. Writing credits taken from ASCAP.

Katatonia

 * Jonas Renkse – lead vocals; production
 * Anders Nyström – lead guitar; production
 * Fredrik Norrman – rhythm guitar
 * Mattias Norrman – bass guitar
 * Daniel Liljekvist – drums

Additional personnel

 * Krister Linder – co-vocals on "Departer"
 * Frank Default – keyboards, additional strings and additional percussion
 * David Castillo – production
 * Travis Smith – artwork, design
 * Linda Åkerberg	– photography