Opeth / ex-Bloodbath singer Mikael Åkerfeldt recently met with Finnish Chaoszine to talk about his journey as a metal frontman.
Opeth have released a lyric video for “§1” (Radio Edit), the first single from their upcoming 14th studio album “The Last Will And Testament”, due out October 11th via Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music.
“§1” is available on all DSPs here. Watch the new lyric video below:
Five long years have passed since their last album “In Cauda Venenum” in 2019 and it also marks the 30th anniversary of the respected, creative band.
Opeth singer/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt admits: “I love this record. I have to say (write) it. Maybe I’m even proud of it? I guess there are some familiar ingredients in it. Most of our music comes from the same source, so I guess it’s not a big surprise if it sounds like ‘us’. I’m a bit impressed with what we’ve done with The Last Will And Testament. It feels like a dream. I hope there’s some ‘coherence’ and ‘songwriting ability’, but what do I know? I prefer the ‘weird’ to the ‘obvious’, but I feel like I’m in the minority, and that’s OK. So… a warning! Don’t expect an instant kick (as usual), but if you ‘get it’ immediately (have you got it yet?), that’s OK too!”
The Last Will And Testament is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, telling the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose will reveals shocking family secrets. The narrative weaves together the patriarch’s confessions, the reactions of his twin children, and the mysterious presence of a polio-stricken girl the family has been caring for. The album begins with the reading of the father’s will in his mansion. Among those present is a young girl who, despite being an orphan and suffering from polio, was raised by the family. Her presence at the reading of the will arouses suspicion and questions in the twins.
Of the making of the record, Åkerfeldt adds: “This is the first record with Walt on drums. Watching and listening to him record his parts was otherworldly and I was like, how can a human being play this stuff? The older guys (me, Mendez, Fred and Jocke) did our parts in due course. We did them well (I like to think) and the alcohol content in our blood was usually pretty low when the red light was on. We’re professionals, you see! Rockfield Studios treated us well and we love this place! Stefan Boman recorded and mixed everything (RECORDED ON TAPE… sort of…). Miles Showell did the mastering at Abbey Road Studios and then we (me and Stefan) took him out for curry in Covent Garden. Travis Smith did this weird masterpiece artwork that ‘clothes’ the music. All in all, we hope we’ve put together a nice little morsel of information for you to nibble on when it’s raining outside. Thank you for your time. Thank you for reading. Thank you for listening. Thank you for giving us a respectable past. I’ll thank you in the actual future for our future, ok?”
Pre-order “The Last Will And Testament” here.
Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for famed flautist and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson. Anderson’s signature notes not only fly on “§4” and “§7,” he also speaks on “§1,” “§2,” “§4,” and “§7.” Alongside Anderson, Europe’s Joey Tempest provides background vocals on “§2,” while Åkerfeldt’s youngest daughter Mirjam Åkerfeldt is the disembodied voice on “§1.”
Captivating from start to finish, stunning inside and out, The Last Will And Testament is one of Opeth’s best songs yet. Just as Opeth has welcomed many into its desperate arms over the years, the Swedes once again fulfill the promise that great music always tells a compelling story – this time with growls.
Album cover by Travis Smith.
The Last Will And Testament tracklist:
“§1”
“§2”
“§3”
“§4”
“§5”
“§6”
“§7”
“A story never told”
Trailer:
Opeth’s fourteenth album was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics agreed with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara). The Last Will And Testament was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (Ghost, The Hellacopters), and engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (Killing Joke, Robert Plant) and Opeth, with Boman, Åkerfeldt and the rest of Opeth mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. Strings were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan), and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Visual artist Travis Smith returns to create his eleventh cover, a haunting “photograph” reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s infamous “Overlook Hotel” photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) is also involved in mastering and vinyl cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Opeth line-up:
Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitar
Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals
Martin Mendez – bass guitar
Waltteri Väyrynen – drums and percussion
Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, backing vocals
Special guests:
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) – spoken word (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7) // flute (tracks 4, 7)
Joey Tempest (Europe) – backing vocals (Track 2)
Mirjam Åkerfeldt – spoken word (Track 1)
– All music and lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt
– Lyrical concept by Mikael Åkerfeldt, dramatic advice by Klara Rönnqvist Fors
– Produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt
– Co-produced by Opeth and Stefan Boman
– Developed by Stefan Boman, Joe Jones and Opeth
– Mixing of Stefan Boman and Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe, Stockholm, Sweden
– Mastering and vinyl cutting by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK
– Strings conducted by Dave Stewart at Angel Studios, London, UK
– String arrangement by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart
– Artwork by Travis Smith under the guidance of Mikael Åkerfeldt
