Katatonia play the first of two shows in China tonight without Nico Elgstrand. The guitarist has not been able to travel because of what the band call time sensitive visa issues, and the Japanese dates that follow are affected as well. He rejoins them for the New Zealand and Australian shows in October.
The band put it plainly. “Unfortunately, due to time sensitive visa issues, Nico hasn't been able to join us in China and Japan, but he will reconnect with the band in time for the shows in New Zealand and Australia,” they said, and passed on a line from Elgstrand himself: “Not happy that I didn't make it over to China and Japan this time but hoping to see u next time and then we will be happy!”
It is the second time this year. In February he missed the band's North American tour over visa complications and Henrik Palm took his place for that run. A band that has toured continuously for three decades knows what a paperwork failure costs, and the pattern here is not the band's to fix.