Drenched in sorrow and coated in crushing atmosphere, Katla is a rising force in the European doom metal scene. Hailing from Denmark, the band crafts sprawling compositions that blend post-rock, sludge, and progressive doom into an emotional, cinematic experience. Their Napalm Records debut, Scandinavian Pain, is a monolithic journey through themes of depression, shame, greed, guilt, and the end of the world—wrapped in haunting melodies and bone-crushing heaviness.
In this exclusive interview, Katla opens up about the inspirations behind Scandinavian Pain, the personal and societal struggles that fuel their music, and the challenges of translating their intricate sound into a live setting. If you’re drawn to doom that’s as introspective as it is massive, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
M.I. - The name Katla immediately brings to mind the Icelandic volcano, but other bands also use the name. What drew you to it despite its existing associations?
Rasmus - We're well aware of the other bands using the name. Ours comes from a Swedish children’s book by Astrid Lindgren, “The Brothers Lionheart”. There’s a villain in the story who controls a dragon named Katla with an enchanted horn. So, we named our band after that dragon.
M.I. – “Scandinavian Pain” is your debut with Napalm Records. Did signing with them influence the creation of the album?
Rasmus - Not at all. We had already created “Scandinavian Pain” before we even knew we were signing with Napalm.
M.I. - How did the signing come about? Did you send demos to labels, or did Napalm approach you?
Theis - It happened through our booking agency, Napalm Events. Our booker saw us perform at a festival in Denmark about two years ago. He recorded a 13-second video of our show and sent it to Napalm Records, saying, "You need to sign this band." That’s how the deal came to be.
M.I. - The album explores themes like depression, guilt, and religious manipulation. How does a song like “Taurus” fit into that narrative, and why was it chosen as the lead single?
Theis - “Taurus” was actually the first song we wrote together after I joined the band. Initially, it was meant to be a stand alone single to show that Katla was still active. But after signing with Napalm, they loved the song and insisted it be the lead single. We didn't object to it but it was the label that decided. We like the song, it's nice and heavy and it displays some new aspects of Katla, so it serves as a good appetizer for what's coming on the new record.
M.I. – “Taurus” has a raw, melancholic atmosphere, but the music video is humorous and exaggerated with Nordic stereotypes—beards, drinking, rural life. What inspired that contrast?
Rasmus - We wanted to avoid the typical Scandinavian metal vídeo - forest, corpse paint, and all that. Instead, I was heavily inspired by the American band Red Fang, who make music videos that are fun and entertaining. We wanted something totally different from what people would expect.
M.I. - And what's with the strange cars in the video?
Rasmus - Those are cabin scooters. We got them sponsored for the video. We named them “Beelzewheels”, “Hell Rider”, and “Paul Rudd” - because we love evil, satanic aesthetics, but also Paul Rudd. He’s funny and kind, which aligns with our slogan: “Love and Satan.”
M.I. - How did Ole from Afsky get involved in “Taurus”?
Rasmus - He’s a good friend of mine, and we share the same rehearsal space. It was an easy collaboration, and we thought it would be interesting to feature a black metal vocalist on a doom metal track.
M.I. - Do you think some people might misinterpret the humour in the “Taurus” video and be put off by it?
Theis - Maybe, but Danish audiences get it immediately. Humour is a big part of our live shows, so the video actually reflects who we are on stage.
M.I. - How was the recording process for the album? Did you approach production differently compared to previous work?
Theis - Yes. We made a lot of key decisions before entering the studio, ensuring the song structures were set so we could focus purely on performance.
M.I. - What inspired you to focus on the themes of depression, guilt, and religious manipulation?
Rasmus - Katla has always been critical of organized religion, but this time we expanded on how religion can suppress personal feelings. The title “Scandinavian Pain” also reflects the guilt many Scandinavians feel about their own mental health struggles, knowing others in the world have it much worse, where people are dying and starving. Being from a privileged part of the world like the western civilization, in general, it can be super hard and having that in the back of your head while feeling well while you're struggling mentally knowing that this was stuff that is caused by the west.
M.I. - The black dog on the cover is a strong symbol, often associated with melancholy and bad omens. What inspired that imagery?
Rasmus - The black dog has two meanings: in English folklore, it’s an ominous hellhound, and Winston Churchill used it as a metaphor for depression. I think it was just a really strong symbol of combining the two because the English folklore is about this hellhound lurking around at the graveyards like a bad omen with ill intentions, so it's like the meaning of when something is that scary and horrible, that's kind of what's going on in your head when you're having these feelings so thse are the two meanings of the black dog and that duality perfectly represents “Scandinavian Pain”.
M.I. - Photographer Nikolaj Bransholm contributed to the album’s visuals. How did that collaboration happen?
Theis - He’s a friend of the band and a very skilled photographer. The church setting in our promo photos happened spontaneously when someone working there invited us inside. It worked out perfectly.
M.I. - Did the album’s artwork concept evolve alongside the music, or was it a separate process?
Rasmus - It was separate. I created the artwork myself, drawing from the album’s themes.
M.I. - What emotions do you hope listeners feel when they hear “Scandinavian Pain”?
Rasmus - We don’t have a set expectation. People will interpret it in their own way. But if any of the lyrics about mental health resonate with someone, we hope they seek help and reach out to loved ones.
M.I. - Here in Southern Europe, people often say that Scandinavians are more depressed because of the lack of sunlight. Do you think that’s true?
Theis - Yes. Statistically, it’s true. There’s even a term, "winter depression." Denmark is often called the happiest country in the world, yet we have the highest antidepressant consumption.
M.I. - If you had to describe “Scandinavian Pain” in three words, what would they be?
Theis - Heavy, melancholic, and raw.
M.I. – Your music seems built for immersive live experiences. How do you translate your layered, atmospheric sound to a live setting?
Rasmus – Well, it's loud and we're sort of old school. We bring tube amps and real amps on the road. Not saying that digital stuff can't be loud but it's a physical experience as well as it's a visual and a physical experience.
M.I. - So next week you'll be starting a tour supporting 1914. Are you prepared for the tour?
Rasmus – No, not at all! We rehearse a lot, but it's a month, it's a really long tour and we are as ready as we can get. In two days we're driving out, so we're as ready as we will ever be and it's going to be a blast! It's mainly in northern Europe: Germany and Slovakia.
M.I. - When are you coming to the south of Europe, especifically to Portugal?
Theis – Soon, hopefully very soon! We had a tour that fell through where we were going to do Spain and a couple of Portugal shows. Unfortunately they fell through, but hopefully it’ll happen very soon.
M.I. - Finally, what message would you like to leave for your fans?
Theis - Stay true to yourselves and don’t be afraid to feel. Pain is part of life, but it can also be transformed into something beautiful. Thank you for listening to us, and we hope this album touches you in some way.
For Portuguese version, click here
Listen to Katla, on Bandcamp
Questions by Sónia Fonseca
