Barfly

Katatonia was formed in 1991 by Anders Nyström and Jonas Renske & their debut album, ‘Dance of December Souls’, was released in 1993, gaining the band recognition for their eclectic brand of gothic doom/death metal & joining acts such as Paradise Lost & My Dying Bride as one of the genre’s defining bands. On future albums a newer, sleeker Katatonia sound came to the fore, starting with a streamlined & structured collection of melodic dark rock songs that became third album ‘Discouraged Ones’; the main evolution point for modern day Katatonia.

Katatonia gained great commercial & critical response to the album with many hailing it as the band's greatest work. Two more singles were lifted from the album (Deliberation & July) while both singles were also accompanied by video tracks. The band went from strength to strength with their extensive touring & festival duties before the release of Live Consternation in 2007, which captured the band live at their glorious best at the Summerbreeze festival in 2006. Katatonia would then resume writing for the eagerly awaited follow-up to The Great Cold Distance. With such a monumental album to follow, it was 2009 before Katatonia was ready to enter the studio for their eagerly awaited eighth studio album, ‘Night is the New Day’. It was recorded throughout July 2009 & was co-produced, engineered and mixed by David Castillo. Recording was divided between Studio Mega ( for drums) and Ghost Ward Studios, where most recording took place & which provided a dose of inspiration from the darker corners of life with it’s choice of location, as Anders describes: “Broken glass, blood on the walls at the front door to the building and threatening messages written on the elevator - Even excrement and urine on the floor in the basement that makes you wonder if the caretaker is a serial killer himself” 

Ghosts is the newest addition to Barfly. However, there is nothing green or inexperienced about this house and techno night. With veteran promoter Dave Llewellyn (Synthetic) at the helm, there’s no doubt Cardiff is in good hands. Ghosts promises to follow the Llewellyn formula which has proved so successful in Cardiff over the years; quality house and techno music from the deep and melodic to the raw and driving, outstanding residents and pioneering headliners plus a party atmosphere which guarantee’s a loyal following from the outset.  

With an enviable line up of residents, Ghosts has solid foundations. In addition to Dave Llewellyn they have; Robert Cashin is one of  Cardiff’s up and coming gems, his studio productions and flare behind the decks has seen him playing throughout the UK and in Germany.  Tom Foord has been a regular on the Cardiff club scene for years. His attention to detail and fantastic technical ability has secured him the respect of clubbers and music connoisseurs alike.  Gareth Llewellyn, a regular on the Cardiff and Bristol scenes, is renowned for his deep house sets. His combination of  bassline grooves and uplifting melodies is always a hit on the dance floor.

However, not satisfied with launching just a successful resident’s night, 2010 will see some of the world’s finest house and techno artists headlining 

Ghosts is starting as it means to go on. With more ground - breaking acts to be announced throughout the year, these are exciting times for Cardiff’s clubbing scene. It comes highly recommended that this is one band wagon you want to be jumping on.