Opeth
Biography
Brought together in Stockholm by guitarists Peter Lindgren and Mikael Åkerfeldt in 1990, Opeth added progressive influences and acoustic instrumentation to their brand of Swedish death metal. As the group progressed, it was very common for an Opeth live set to fly in several different musical directions -- and an average song lasted no less than ten minutes. Impressed by their originality, Candlelight Records released their debut full-length in 1995, which was titled Orchid, and featured a rhythm section of bassist Johan de Farfalla and drummer Anders Nordin. Edge of Sanity mastermind Dan Swano produced the band's ambitious second album Morningrise in 1996, after which they embarked on a brief tour with Morbid Angel. Century Media took notice and not only licensed Opeth's first two albums for the United States, but also planned on releasing their next album on both sides of the Atlantic. With the recruitment of bassist Martin Mendez and drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Amon Amarth) to replace the departed de Farfalla and Nordin, Opeth's third album, My Arms, Your Hearse, was released in 1998 to glowing reviews, establishing the band as a leading force in progressive metal with death roots.
Selected Discography
Still Life
2008
Watershed
2008
The Roundhouse Tapes
2007
Lamentations: Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire 2003
2006
Ghost Reveries
2005
Blackwater Park
2001
Opeth and their Album "Ghost Reveries" led me into the world of metal. Along with my friend Steve. I have four of their albums now, and know each song by heart.
A good place for Mikael interviews is Faceculture. n l , they have a bunch. That man, along with Steve Wilson from Porcupine Tree (look them up), is a genius. Not to mention Dan Swano. Holy freakin amazing. |
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Thee otherside speakes to me through Opeth's music...ha aha ahaahahahaha h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a h a a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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I love this album, it was really good to hear them sing clean all the way through, but of course I DIG EVERYTHING BY THESE SWEDES
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Yeah, you can "suggest" an artist or album/song or whatever to Pandora. I don't remember how though...I suggested the band Pyramaze to them a few weeks back. They responded within a day, but they haven't added em yet. Lotta music to add I'm sure lol.
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Is there any way to let Pandora know that they need to add Watershed to Opeth's featured albums?
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I love the new watershed album but don't like the new drummer as much as the old one.
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And here we are almost 2 weeks after the release of Watershed and it's still not up on Pandora... what up with that? I heard the first minute of The Lotus Eater. These guys are amazing.
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There is only one Opeth. Anyone else is pretending. Not that they sound bad, mind you... they just don't have that sense of cohesiveness that Opeth does. Each song is epic and beautiful. They don't have that pretentiousn e s s like Dream Theater does.
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One of the most impressively talented bands I've heard in 20 yrs of being a metal-head!
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Saw Heir Apparent live... heavy. Opeth, probably the best band ever. Seriously.
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One of the greatest bands alive. Seeing them tmrw at terminal 5. akerfeldt is so amazing.
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This is a must band to see live. Phenomenol. I got to see them in Oakland with Dream Theater and Three and Between the Buried and Me. It's a PROG NATION BABY!
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@aaronhull: Not pandering to the masses and making radio friendly songs is something Mikael has talked about more than once in interviews.
And to those of you waiting for Watershed, it rocks. ;) A bit different than past albums, more proggy, but still Opeth quality. Heir Apparent is one heavy track! |
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Brilliant instrumental s . . . I love their mix of progressive and death metal. Just.. amazing. That's all I can say. Looking forward to their new release.
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Thanks for the enlightening words of wisdom Ms. Coby Hosford. You have opened my eyes. How many Hail Mary's should I say to be forgiven? Now why don't you put down your 12 sided dice, climb out of your mom's basement and go find a life........ . . . . . . O p e t h Rules
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Opeth is definately not meant to the punchline for sc4xedge's failed attempt at humor on the 25th of february. No person should ever put Opeth in any such statement of tastelessnes s . I "HEAR" GOD listened to Opeth before he created this Earth. "Eternal Opeth". I just want to say, "Thank You God." We have to admit, nobody does a better job of keeping the right souls together for our listening pleasure. Hey, SC4XEDGE,, repent, repent. Are ya still "HERE"?
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Best
Band EVER! I have been infatuated with this band for many years now and it hasn't faded one bit. Heavily looking forward to Watershed this year! I don't think Roadrunner records has held Opeth back in the least. And I am sure the recent line up changes will only help Opeth to broaden their musical range. |
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my life would be meaningless without Opeth. They're above everything else, there's music and there's Opeth.. Every piece of music I listen to is to feel that stunning beauty when I get back to Opeth, once again. And it's been like this since I first listened to Still Life back in 1999.
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Opeth is great. They are one of the highest on my list of all time favorite bands. Their brilliant way of forming music which contains countless layers that make the perfect song. I can't think of a song by them that I've listened to that I don't like. Editing the songs is just not acceptable. It messes with the songs meaning. Just let it take you on its musical trip. Thats all.
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Just getting into these guys- a student turned me on to them. GREAT to work to- excellent grooves. I have both the 10 min. "Grand Conjuration" from Ghost Reveries, and the 5 min. "Grand Conjuration (edit)" from Headbanger's Ball- The Revenge. Here's the thing- the edit is SO much more tight and radio friendly, which would increase the fan base, but the longer form songs are brilliant, yet much less accessible. What do you all think about this conundrum?
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Why are the dates all wrong on the discography? And missing Still Life?
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DREAM THEATER'S "PROGRESSIVE NATION" featuring OPETH, 3 and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME to embark on inaugural tour of North America throughout April & May 2008.
(www.dreamth e a t e r . n e t ) |
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I never especially cared for the death metal vocal style, but I LOVE this band! The music is as much shifting textures as it is rhythm. Few heavy metal bands can evoke such a variety of moods, much less move seamlessly through them. Acoustic detours by other metals bands seem like distractions , whereas by Opeth they almost seem necessary to complete the composition. I am going to explore this band in depth!
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The information provided by Pandora is a little off. Damnation was the softer album and Deliverence is quite hardcore like much of their other work. Having said that, Damnation is a beautiful thing. An amazing band with an incredible sound.
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Brilliant combination of death metal and 70's style of progressive rock. Absolutely great band.
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Wow i love this band i love their combination of death metal and mellow relaxing music all i have to say is if you havent heard them you dont know what your missing
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Great artist somthing you can listen to for hours and just relax to the smooth flowing rythms and vocals
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