Sweden's Opeth will release their studio album, The Last Will And Testament, on October 11 via Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music. Bloodstock TV’s Oran O’Beirne sat down with Opeth mastermind, Mikael Åkerfeldt, who talked about the new album, as well as his recent project composing soundtrack music. Watch below:
It is five long years since Opeth's last album, 2019's In Cauda Venenum, and also marks 30 years of the esteemed, creative band.
Mikael Åkerfeldt admits, "I love this record. I have to say it (write it). Maybe I’m proud even? There are some familiar ingredients in there I suppose. Most of our music has sprung from the same source, so I guess it’s not much of a shocker if it’s going to sound like 'us’. I’m a bit in awe of what we did with The Last Will And Testament. It feels like a dream. There is some 'coherence' and 'songwriting skills' I hope, but what do I know? I tend to favour the 'strange' over the 'obvious,' but I feel like I’m in the minority, and that’s fine. So…fair warning! Don’t expect an instant rush (as per usual), but if you do “get it” (have you got it yet?) right away, that’s ok too!"
The Last Will And Testament is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets. The narrative weaves through the patriarch's confessions, the reactions of his twin children, and the mysterious presence of a polio-ridden girl who the family have taken care of. The album begins with the reading of the father's will in his mansion. Among those in attendance is a young girl, who, despite being an orphan and polio-ridden, has been raised by the family. Her presence at the will reading raises suspicions and questions among the twins.
Regarding the record's creation, Åkerfeldt adds, "This is the first record with Walt on drums. Seeing and hearing him record his bits was otherworldly and what went through my head was something like: How can a human being play this stuff? The older cats (myself, Mendez, Fred, and Jocke) did our bits in due time. We did them well (I like to think) and the alcohol concentration in our blood was mostly quite low as the red light was on. We’re professionals, you see! Rockfield Studios treated us well and we love that place! Stefan Boman recorded and mixed it all (CAPTURED it on TAPE… kind of…). Miles Showell did the master at Abbey Road Studios and then we (myself and Stefan) took him for a curry in Covent Garden. Travis Smith has done this odd-masterpiece-artwork that put 'clothes' on 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 out. 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 for our future in the actual future, OK?"
Pre-order The Last Will And Testament here.
Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flautist and Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson's signature notes fly on "§4" and "§7", he narrates on "§1", "§2", "§4", and "§7". Joining Anderson, Europe's Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on "§2”, while Åkerfeldt's youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in "§1".
The Last Will And Testament is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of Opeth's finest material to date. Just as Opeth welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story - this time with growls.
Album cover by Travis Smith.
The Last Will And Testament tracklisting:
"§1"
"§2"
"§3"
"§4"
"§5"
"§6"
"§7"
"A Story Never Told"
"§1" (Radio Edit) lyric video:
Trailer:
Opeth's fourteenth album was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred 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), 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 the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting "photograph" reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's infamous "Overlook Hotel" photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Opeth have announced a UK headline tour for February - March 2025, with special guests Grand Magus. The dates continue their mainland Europe stretch of dates announced last week.
European Tour Dates 2025:
February
9 - Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall
11 - Stockholm, Sweden - Cirkus
12 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
14 - Copenhagen, Denmark - DR Koncerthuset
15 - Hamburg, Germany - Docks
17 - Cologne, Germany - Palladium
18 - Berlin, Germany - Tempodrom
19 - Munich, Germany - Muffathalle
21 - Paris, France - L'Olympia
22 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - AFAS Live
23 - Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
25 - Bristol, UK - Bristol Beacon
26 - London, UK - Roundhouse
28 - Birmingham, UK - Symphony Hall
March
1 - Manchester, UK - Albert Hall
2 - Glasgow, UK - Barrowland
Opeth are offering a special bundle for fans who pre-order newly announced album The Last Will And Testament. Fans who pre-order the album will receive a special ticket pre-sale code for the UK tour. The offer will end on Tuesday, August 13 at 1 PM, BST. Tickets go on general sale on Friday, August 16 at 10 AM, BST.
Pre-order via the links below to get access to the ticket pre-sale:
- UK
- EU
General sale tickets for the EU tour dates are available now.
North American tour dates 2024:
October
11 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave / Eagles Club
12 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater & Ballroom
14 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
15 - Montréal, QC - L'Olympia
16 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
18 - Brooklyn, NY - Kings Theatre
19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
20 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
22 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
23 - New Orleans, LA - Fillmore New Orleans
24 - Austin, TX - Emo’s Austin
25 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre
27 - Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom
29 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
30 - Los Angeles, CA - YouTube Theater
31 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
Opeth lineup:
Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars
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 consultation by Klara Rönnqvist Fors
- Produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt
- Co-produced by Opeth and Stefan Boman
- Engineered by Stefan Boman, Joe Jones and Opeth
- Mixing by Stefan Boman and Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe, Stockholm, Sweden
- Mastering and vinyl lacquer cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road studios, London, UK
- Strings conducted by Dave Stewart at Angel Studios, London, UK
- Strings arrangement by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart
- Artwork by Travis Smith with directions from Mikael Åkerfeldt
(Photos - Terhi Ylimäinen)
