Matt Westcott talks to Anders Nystrom, guitarist with Scandinavian doyens of doom Katatonia, ahead of their gig at Newcastle’s O2 Academy 2 on Tuesday. The album, Dead End Kings, is out now

What is it about being miserable that makes you so happy as a band?

WE’VE been doing this for so long that it has just integrated with our lifestyle. We’ve been able to transform our inner demons, share our darkness and channel our negativity into a collective platform that utilises music, lyrics and artwork as an expression for 20 years.

The most common misconception about the band is that the individuals behind Katatonia are a bunch of depressive, anti-social misanthropes.

I can appreciate the logic behind it if our albums are the only representation you have, but the truth is that Katatonia, as a single entity, is the exclusive focal point for the all miserable aspects of life.

If, or when, there comes along any positive circumstances, you can be damn sure it’s all being absorbed by our private personalities before anything else. What I’m trying to say is that we laugh, crack jokes and goof around plenty, just like anyone else, but it’s just that none of that ever enters the impression we leave behind with Katatonia.

Scandinavia seems to be home to a lot bands like yours? Is it the long dark nights?

It’s not something very easy for me to answer. There’s certainly something very graven about Swedish musical culture. Most take it really seriously and I think melancholiness goes back a long time in our heritage.

We’ve short summers and long winters and that’s just the start of it.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? If it’s personal experience, are you happy with the way your life is panning out?

Well, it’s not all from personal experiences, there’s also straight-up fiction and the obscure general thoughts in there, but I guess they also come from a personal point of view. The word happy is a very relative word. Most of us have experienced it at some point, but quickly learned it’s not constant and never to be taken for granted. It seems to be more common catching what is just moments of bliss rather than true happiness. I see myself constantly occupied looking for it anyway, which I guess is a good motive to stay around and try to find the best life has to offer.

How have you matured as a band over the years? Do you still look back on your early work with fondness?

I do. I think that will never change.

It’s not because I’m easily drowning in nostalgia, but nothing can replace the magic of first-time experiences.

Those genuine sweet times were second to none and very formative. No business and all pleasure, the passion was beaming. With that said, I do prefer the year 2012 to 1992 though, because, musically, I couldn’t be happier than where we are right now. No time for regrets.

You say Dead End Kings was more spontaneous than previous releases and there was more fire, why do you think this was and how is that reflected in the end product?

Well, if I said that, it’s simply because I was more involved this time.

The more songs Jonas and myself write on our own, the more diverse the album will be. The quality filter we apply to anything we do will always make sure it’s suitable for Katatonia and that the songs will pass the test.

But it’s interesting how we can head out into so many different directions and visit other genres and it will still sound like Katatonia. This is what we’ll continue to explore as it’s surely where the fire burns prominently. Spontaneity should be the halo above our heads.

Do you ever think you will reach a point where you have mined as much as you can and go in a different direction, or do you think your success reflects the desire of the public to hear more and more?

Well, a band like AC/DC has pretty much mined everything they can in their genre, right? But they still continue to make similar albums and people don’t expect them to change.

On the contrary they don’t want it to happen.

As for Katatonia, I think we are the ones with the biggest concerns on how we have to evolve into a different direction more than anyone else. If we’re comfortable with the sound we have, we do not seek out a different approach more than following our gut feeling. But if we’re sick of something, or feel it’s time to move on, we are not afraid to take that step.

For example, I think metal can sometimes be a limiting word when used in some contexts, but I’d never ever feel the same way about heavy, so there it is. We just have to pick up the missing pieces and keep completing the puzzle.

You have a strong following in the UK. Do you have an affinity with the British and what are you looking forward to most when it comes to the tour?

Both our label and management are from there, so we have our fair share of ties with Britain. These dates are right at the end of almost two months of touring, so I think we’ll be very tired, but also happy to wrap it up, so I expect some great shows and hope for a good turn out.