Jonas Renkse reflects on Katatonia’s heavier new album, his rhythm-first writing style, parting with longtime bandmate Anders Nyström, and a friendship with Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt that still runs deep.
Sinusoidal Music sat down with Jonas Renkse, the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of Swedish heavy metal band Katatonia, to talk about the band’s shifting sound, what inspires his songwriting, and his decades-long friendship with Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt. From rhythm-driven writing to side projects rooted in electronic music, Jonas opened up with clarity and quiet intensity.
“I’m Still a Rhythm-Based Writer”: From Drums to Vocals
Jonas didn’t begin as a singer. He started off as a drummer, and that foundation still shapes how he approaches songwriting. Rather than starting with melodies like many vocalists, Jonas begins with rhythm, something he believes gives Katatonia’s vocal phrasing its unique feel.
What did it mean for you to move from drums to vocals? Did that change how you write?
I think maybe, because I’m still a pretty rhythm-based writer. Even when I write music, I sort of focus on rhythms rather than just coming up with all these melodies at first. So, I think maybe the vocals were kind of inspired by drumming. And I think that’s something that I love to do as well, to experiment with different kind of rhythm patterns in vocals and phrasing and stuff like that. So, maybe it’s coming from the drumming background. I’d like to think so, at least.
A Natural Shift Toward Heavier Sounds
With their latest album, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, Katatonia leans into a more guitar-heavy sound. While fans have pointed out similarities to the band’s older records, Jonas said it wasn’t a planned return to heaviness. Instead, it flowed naturally from the band’s progression and instinctive contrast to their previous release.
Was the heavier direction in the new album a conscious decision?
Well, maybe. I think it’s part subconsciously, and it’s part also, I think, a natural reaction towards maybe the previous album. So, I think it just came sort of naturally to be a little bit more guitar-heavy on this record, but it’s not really part of a master plan or anything.
It’s just the way I write. I think it’s usually sort of a combination of stuff that I want to do and also a reaction towards what we have done so far.
Recent Gigs ’round the Globe
At Graspop Metal Meeting 2025, Katatonia performed three songs from the new album for the first time. The band felt nervous heading into the set but found their energy on stage, especially during Wind of No Change.
How did it feel to debut those songs live for the first time?
We were a bit nervous because we premiered three new songs that we’ve never played live. So, we were a bit nervous, but I’m glad to hear that it sounded good.
Which song stood out the most during the performance?
I think Wind of No Change, because we all agreed when we started recording this song that it has a very lively feeling to it. So it was very exciting, but also a bit nervous to try it on for the first time. But I think it turned out really good. We all sort of had some extra energy going into it. And I think that’s a very good thing to feel, you know, to overcome the sort of nervousness and just feel like it’s clicking. That’s great.
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On Writing, Producing, and Lyrical Inspiration
Jonas takes the lead in songwriting and production for Katatonia, but values collaboration with his bandmates. He often sends out demos or ideas and builds on their input, treating the process as open-ended and creative.
Do you handle all the writing and producing these days?
Yeah, I’ve been writing most of the songs, all the songs. But of course, I want to bounce things with everyone in the band and see what they have, you know, opinions, what kind of what they can also bring. I mean, my songs, even though I write them, and they’re sort of finished, there’s still a lot of space to fill out. Because the other guys are obviously super good musicians in their own right, and they can sort of help the songs to go even bigger and better, you know.
Jonas also writes all the lyrics, drawn mostly from personal emotions and reflections, often filtered through fiction.
Where do your lyrics come from—are they drawn from personal experience?
Yeah, I think it’s mostly reality. Of course, there has to be like, some fiction thrown in as well, because my life isn’t as, you know, interesting as it might look sometimes. But it’s stuff that I go through, which I think is similar stuff to what a lot of people go through, sort of on the dark side of things. And I try to just make it blend well with the music and try to get the vibe of every certain song, what kind of lyrics it needs.
Remembering Anders Nyström‘s Legacy
Jonas co-founded Katatonia with Anders Nyström, who left the band in 2025. Anders played a major role in shaping the band’s early sound and songwriting identity, and Jonas remains deeply appreciative of that era.
How would you describe Anders’ role in the band’s legacy?
Oh yeah. He’s been a super important person for many years in the band. I mean, we started the band together. He was the main songwriter in the beginning. And obviously, his presence and the songs that he made, you know, made the whole foundation of the band.
Did Anders influence the sound in any specific way?
I mean, we’ve always worked on the music sort of together, even when he was writing more of the music, we would sit down and go through everything. We had like a musical language that was very intricate with how we wanted things to sound. So I think it’s been a joint effort, but he was obviously more. He was a talented guitar player. I couldn’t really play guitar in the beginning. So I had to tell him what to play and how to play it.
A Decades-Long Bond: Jonas & Mikael Åkerfeldt
Jonas Renkse and Mikael Åkerfeldt have known each other since their teenage years in Stockholm. Their friendship continues to thrive both musically and personally.
How did your friendship with Mikael begin?
We met as young teenagers here in Stockholm. As it turned out, we had the same kind of feelings towards music, same kind of influences. That was the start of a very long-lasting, fruitful friendship that’s still continuing very much to this day.
Any recent collaborations or fun moments together?
I put together a little death metal band. Mikael was doing vocals, and some other friends were playing as well. And we just played a few death metal favorites of mine because I wanted to get the party started.
What’s On Jonas’ Playlist?
Jonas constantly explores new sounds while keeping close to his long-time favorites. His listening habits include American blues, experimental rock, and classic metal.
What music have you been listening to recently?
It’s a mixture of old classic stuff that I have loved for years, along with some new finds. Just the other day, I was at a concert here in Stockholm with this American blues guy called Marcus King. He’s a superb vocalist, an amazing guitar player. Radiohead is one of the bands that comes to mind, and for me, especially some of the Thom Yorke solo stuff I’ve been really, really inspired by.
Korda: A Minimal, Electronic Outlet
Jonas created Korda, a side project born during the pandemic, to explore his love for electronic music without the structure or heaviness of Katatonia. The project allows more experimental freedom, and it’s not over yet.
What’s the story behind Korda?
Myself and two of my very good friends, Joakim Karlsson and Anders Eriksson, we share a love for electronic music. So we said we should start sending ideas back and forth and see if we could turn it into songs. Hopefully, there will be at least a couple of more songs released pretty soon.
Rapid Fire with Jonas Renkse
A rapid-fire round gave a glimpse into the personalities behind Katatonia:
- Most careless: Nico Elgstrand
- Best hairstyle: Niklas Sandin
- Most organized: Daniel Moilanen
- Wisest: Nico Elgstrand
- Easiest to Panic: Sebastian Svalland
- Best chef: Jonas Renkse
- Always late: Daniel Moilanen
- Funniest: Nico Elgstrand
- Best listener: Niklas Sandin
- Gets angry the fastest: Nico Elgstrand
- Most dramatic: Nico Elgstrand and Jonas Renkse
Jonas Renkse continues to shape Katatonia’s sound with subtlety, intensity, and intuition. Whether writing rhythm-first vocal lines, debuting new songs onstage, or exploring ambient minimalism through Korda, he remains an artist grounded in honesty and evolution. With Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, the band has created a heavy yet dreamlike body of work that resonates far beyond genres, and Jonas is far from done.
