Opeth is a progressive metal band from Sweden that is influenced by many di… Read Full Bio ↴Opeth is a progressive metal band from Sweden that is influenced by many diverse musical styles ranging from 1970s progressive rock to death metal, Their recent releases have deviated from their traditional death metal-influenced style, with more emphasis on progressive elements. Frontman and vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt is also noted for utilizing both clean singing and death growls, often in the same song. Due to their unique blend of melodic and progressive elements, Opeth are often classified separately from more typical death metal acts. The name Opeth was taken from Wilbur Smith's novel Sunbird, and derived from Opet, a city of the moon named in the novel.
History
Opeth was formed in Stockholm, Södermanland, Sweden in 1990 by David Isberg. Isberg invited Mikael Åkerfeldt to join the band at a practice session as a bass player, but failed to inform the current bass player or any of the other members of the band. Because of this, all band members except for Isberg quit, and Åkerfeldt soon joined Opeth after his band, Eruption, faltered. With Åkerfeldt on guitar and David Isberg on vocals, Opeth still lacked members and needing more, they were soon joined by long-time friend of Åkerfeldt and former Eruption drummer Anders Nordin and Nick Döring on bass. Andreas Dimeo was recruited as a second guitarist. Rehearsing in an elementary school with old equipment they had found, this lineup lasted less than a year and only played one show. In 1991 they spent the summer rehearsing on the island of Hamnholmen outside Stockholm with their old school friend and bass player Max Jaderberg, who suggested a more prominent bass sound.
After their first performance, Andreas Dimeo and Nick Döring quit the band. For the second performance, guitarist Kim Pettersson and bassist Johan DeFarfalla joined the group. After the show, DeFarfalla left to spend time with his girlfriend and did not return until 1994. Pettersson stuck with the band for another show before leaving in late 1991. DaFarfall was replaced by Peter Lindgren, playing the bass. However, once Pettersson left, Lindgren returned to the guitar, his original instrument. Isberg left the band in early 1992 due to creative differences and boredom. Since Mikael had previous experience as a vocalist from fronting Eruption, he became the new vocalist and immediately began writing material with Peter Lindgren. They rehearsed as a 3-piece for more than a year but eventually found a new bass player, Stefan Guteklint, who was dismissed by the band before they signed their record contract with Candlelight Records.
Impressed by their originality, Candlelight Records released their debut full-length Orchid in 1995. It featured a rhythm section of bassist Johan DeFarfalla and drummer Anders Nordin. Dan Swanö, of Edge of Sanity fame, produced the band's ambitious second album Morningrise in 1996. After this Opeth 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.
The next album would introduce a change in style as well as line-up. With the recruitment of bassist Martin Mendez to replace DeFarfalla and drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Amon Amarth) replacing Nordin, Opeth's third album, entitled My Arms, Your Hearse, was released in 1998 to glowing reviews, establishing the band as a leading force in progressive metal with death roots. The album is conceptually based on a character who dies and returns to Earth as a ghost.
1999's Still Life displayed even more of the band's progressive rock influences, and the following year the band played its first U.S. concert at the Milwaukee Metalfest. This was the first album on which Martin Mendez contributed. Like My Arms, Your Hearse before it, Still Life is also a concept album, revolving around a man who is banished from his village for dissenting religious beliefs. The album then then regals the tale of his courtship of the character Melinda.
Their next album, Blackwater Park, was released in early 2001 and was titled after an obscure psychedelic progressive rock band from the '70s. Blackwater Park is considered to be Opeth's magnum opus and the defining document of their career. The album created a huge buzz among progressive metal fans, who had begun to lump the band in with other experimental metal bands like Tiamat. It was the first of three albums that Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame would produce. Wilson also contributed backing vocals and guitar.
Instead of waiting until the buzz died down, the band released Deliverance (also known as D1) in the fall of 2002, which was intended to be a double album, Damnation (or D2) comprising the other half. Deliverance presented the typical death metal aspect of Opeth while Damnation presented a new side of Opeth: the album that was almost completely devoid of any heavy metal trappings and focused instead on acoustic instruments and traditional songwriting. Steven Wilson again contributed by co-authoring one song, Death Whispered a Lullaby, and by providing backing vocals and playing mellotron, piano, electric piano, keyboards, and guitar.
Opeth then released a DVD, "Lamentations", filmed in England during the Damnation Tour, in fall of '03. It featured the Damnation album in its entirety along with some highlights from the previous two albums. Now signed to the major label Roadrunner Records, Opeth's next album Ghost Reveries arrived in 2005 and proved to be a return to form for the band. Shortly before the recordings of this album, Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars) officially joined the band to play keyboards, as he did on the tour that supported Damnation. He can also be seen on the "Lamentations" DVD. More lineup changes followed in May of 2006, when long time drummer Martin Lopez left the band due to complications from a rare disease he has. After a short delay, he was replaced by Martin Axe Axenrot, former drummer of Bloodbath.
On May 17th, 2007, an open letter from Peter Lindgren was posted on the official Opeth website where he wrote that he had decided to leave the band. He said that he had lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in a band that has grown to become a world-wide industry. It was especially the massive amount of touring, and being away from home for long periods of time that caused this decision. "I have come to a point where I realise I won't be able to give the band 100%, and from both sides this will not be good enough for what Opeth stands for." On the same day Fredrik Åkesson (ex-Arch Enemy, Krux) was announced as the new guitar-player and full-time member of Opeth.
In Fall 2007, Opeth released their first live album, The Roundhouse Tapes, recorded in the famous Roundhouse concert hall in Great Britain.
The progressive rock/metal band Dream Theater announced in November of 2007 that Opeth would be joining them on the Progressive Nation 2008 tour. Joining these two bands were Between the Buried and Me and 3.
Opeth's ninth studio album, entitled Watershed was released on June 3, 2008. It was well received by most fans and critics. The first single from the album, Porcelain Heart, was released on April 19th, 2008. The track The Lotus Eater is also available on RoadRunner Record's website for free.
Former members:
* David Isberg – Vocals (1990-1992)
* Andreas Dimeo – Guitar (1991)
* Kim Pettersson – Guitar (1991)
* Johan DeFarfalla – Bass (1991,1994-1996)
* Stefan Guteklint – Bass (1992-1993)
* Mattias Ander – Bass (1992)
* Nick Döring – Bass (1990-1991)
* Anders Nordin – Drums (1990-1997)
* Martin Lopez – Drums (1997-2006)
* Peter Lindgren – Guitars (1991-2007)
Discography:
1995 Orchid
1996 Morningrise
1998 My Arms, Your Hearse
1999 Still Life
2001 Blackwater Park
2002 Deliverance
2003 Damnation
2005 Ghost Reveries
2008 Watershed
2011 Heritage
2014 Pale Communion
2016 Sorceress
2019 In cauda venenum
Official site: Opeth.com
History
Opeth was formed in Stockholm, Södermanland, Sweden in 1990 by David Isberg. Isberg invited Mikael Åkerfeldt to join the band at a practice session as a bass player, but failed to inform the current bass player or any of the other members of the band. Because of this, all band members except for Isberg quit, and Åkerfeldt soon joined Opeth after his band, Eruption, faltered. With Åkerfeldt on guitar and David Isberg on vocals, Opeth still lacked members and needing more, they were soon joined by long-time friend of Åkerfeldt and former Eruption drummer Anders Nordin and Nick Döring on bass. Andreas Dimeo was recruited as a second guitarist. Rehearsing in an elementary school with old equipment they had found, this lineup lasted less than a year and only played one show. In 1991 they spent the summer rehearsing on the island of Hamnholmen outside Stockholm with their old school friend and bass player Max Jaderberg, who suggested a more prominent bass sound.
After their first performance, Andreas Dimeo and Nick Döring quit the band. For the second performance, guitarist Kim Pettersson and bassist Johan DeFarfalla joined the group. After the show, DeFarfalla left to spend time with his girlfriend and did not return until 1994. Pettersson stuck with the band for another show before leaving in late 1991. DaFarfall was replaced by Peter Lindgren, playing the bass. However, once Pettersson left, Lindgren returned to the guitar, his original instrument. Isberg left the band in early 1992 due to creative differences and boredom. Since Mikael had previous experience as a vocalist from fronting Eruption, he became the new vocalist and immediately began writing material with Peter Lindgren. They rehearsed as a 3-piece for more than a year but eventually found a new bass player, Stefan Guteklint, who was dismissed by the band before they signed their record contract with Candlelight Records.
Impressed by their originality, Candlelight Records released their debut full-length Orchid in 1995. It featured a rhythm section of bassist Johan DeFarfalla and drummer Anders Nordin. Dan Swanö, of Edge of Sanity fame, produced the band's ambitious second album Morningrise in 1996. After this Opeth 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.
The next album would introduce a change in style as well as line-up. With the recruitment of bassist Martin Mendez to replace DeFarfalla and drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Amon Amarth) replacing Nordin, Opeth's third album, entitled My Arms, Your Hearse, was released in 1998 to glowing reviews, establishing the band as a leading force in progressive metal with death roots. The album is conceptually based on a character who dies and returns to Earth as a ghost.
1999's Still Life displayed even more of the band's progressive rock influences, and the following year the band played its first U.S. concert at the Milwaukee Metalfest. This was the first album on which Martin Mendez contributed. Like My Arms, Your Hearse before it, Still Life is also a concept album, revolving around a man who is banished from his village for dissenting religious beliefs. The album then then regals the tale of his courtship of the character Melinda.
Their next album, Blackwater Park, was released in early 2001 and was titled after an obscure psychedelic progressive rock band from the '70s. Blackwater Park is considered to be Opeth's magnum opus and the defining document of their career. The album created a huge buzz among progressive metal fans, who had begun to lump the band in with other experimental metal bands like Tiamat. It was the first of three albums that Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame would produce. Wilson also contributed backing vocals and guitar.
Instead of waiting until the buzz died down, the band released Deliverance (also known as D1) in the fall of 2002, which was intended to be a double album, Damnation (or D2) comprising the other half. Deliverance presented the typical death metal aspect of Opeth while Damnation presented a new side of Opeth: the album that was almost completely devoid of any heavy metal trappings and focused instead on acoustic instruments and traditional songwriting. Steven Wilson again contributed by co-authoring one song, Death Whispered a Lullaby, and by providing backing vocals and playing mellotron, piano, electric piano, keyboards, and guitar.
Opeth then released a DVD, "Lamentations", filmed in England during the Damnation Tour, in fall of '03. It featured the Damnation album in its entirety along with some highlights from the previous two albums. Now signed to the major label Roadrunner Records, Opeth's next album Ghost Reveries arrived in 2005 and proved to be a return to form for the band. Shortly before the recordings of this album, Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars) officially joined the band to play keyboards, as he did on the tour that supported Damnation. He can also be seen on the "Lamentations" DVD. More lineup changes followed in May of 2006, when long time drummer Martin Lopez left the band due to complications from a rare disease he has. After a short delay, he was replaced by Martin Axe Axenrot, former drummer of Bloodbath.
On May 17th, 2007, an open letter from Peter Lindgren was posted on the official Opeth website where he wrote that he had decided to leave the band. He said that he had lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in a band that has grown to become a world-wide industry. It was especially the massive amount of touring, and being away from home for long periods of time that caused this decision. "I have come to a point where I realise I won't be able to give the band 100%, and from both sides this will not be good enough for what Opeth stands for." On the same day Fredrik Åkesson (ex-Arch Enemy, Krux) was announced as the new guitar-player and full-time member of Opeth.
In Fall 2007, Opeth released their first live album, The Roundhouse Tapes, recorded in the famous Roundhouse concert hall in Great Britain.
The progressive rock/metal band Dream Theater announced in November of 2007 that Opeth would be joining them on the Progressive Nation 2008 tour. Joining these two bands were Between the Buried and Me and 3.
Opeth's ninth studio album, entitled Watershed was released on June 3, 2008. It was well received by most fans and critics. The first single from the album, Porcelain Heart, was released on April 19th, 2008. The track The Lotus Eater is also available on RoadRunner Record's website for free.
Former members:
* David Isberg – Vocals (1990-1992)
* Andreas Dimeo – Guitar (1991)
* Kim Pettersson – Guitar (1991)
* Johan DeFarfalla – Bass (1991,1994-1996)
* Stefan Guteklint – Bass (1992-1993)
* Mattias Ander – Bass (1992)
* Nick Döring – Bass (1990-1991)
* Anders Nordin – Drums (1990-1997)
* Martin Lopez – Drums (1997-2006)
* Peter Lindgren – Guitars (1991-2007)
Discography:
1995 Orchid
1996 Morningrise
1998 My Arms, Your Hearse
1999 Still Life
2001 Blackwater Park
2002 Deliverance
2003 Damnation
2005 Ghost Reveries
2008 Watershed
2011 Heritage
2014 Pale Communion
2016 Sorceress
2019 In cauda venenum
Official site: Opeth.com
Requiem Part 1
Opeth Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Opeth:
*The Moor The sigh of summer upon my return Fifteen alike since I…
- Hope Leaves In the corner beside my window Hangs a lonely photograph The…
- Serenity Painted Death Returned from a hibernal dream Voices fell like marble No lo…
- Weakness Found you there in the blink of an eye I miss…
.04. The Drapery Falls Please remedy my confusion And thrust me back to the day T…
.10. Patterns In The Ivy II Without you I cannot confide in anything The hope is pale…
02 In My Time Of Need I can't see the meaning of this life I'm leading I…
02. Godhead's Lament Marauder Staining the soil, midst of stillness Beloved fra…
02. In my time of need I can't see the meaning Of this life I'm leading I…
06. Hours Of Wealth Found a way to rid myself clean of pain And the…
06\x02By The Pain I See In Others Let me taste Let me feel I need to know what you…
07) ENDING CREDITS [Instrutmental]…
1. In The Mist She Was Standing Seven milestones... Under a watching autumn eye Contorted …
1.- The Leper Affinity We entered Winter once again Naked, freezing from my breath…
11. Remember Tomorrow Unchain the colours before my eyes, Yesterday's sorrows, tom…
12. The drapery falls Please remedy my confusion And thrust me back to the day The…
2. In My Time Of Need I can't see the meaning Of this life I'm leading I…
2. Night & The Silent Water And so you left us Jaded and gaunt, some September Wilted …
4.Black Rose Immortal In the name of desperation I call your name A lamentation …
A Fair Judgement Losing sleep, in too deep Fading sun, what have I done Came…
A Fleeting Glance Up until recently I have been alone Leading a tranquil life…
Advent It was all true A parlor strode, and the night sets…
All Things Will Pass Rose of Summer, withered times Shadows fall on contouring li…
Allting tar slut Hösten kommer och Sommaren går Skugga föds på den plats du…
Apostle In solitude I wander Through the vast enchanted forest The…
April Ethereal It was me, peering through the looking-glass. Beyond the emb…
Atonement Cleared the fog that was veiled around me And blurred my…
Banemannen Ensam är stark När man rör sig i ett ensamt ljus Så…
Beneath the Mire Haunted nights for halcyon days Can't sleep to the scraping …
Benighted Come into this night Here we´ll be gone So far away From ou…
Birge For November Lost, here is nowhere Searching home still Turning past me, …
Black Rose Immortal In the name of desperation I call your name A lamentation I…
Blackwater Park Confessor Of the tragedies in man Lurking in the core of us…
Bleak Beating Heart still beating for the cause Feeding Soul still…
Bridge of Sighs The sun don't shine The moon don't move the tides To wash…
Burden I once upon a time Carried a burden inside Some will ask…
Burden ) I once upon a time Carried a burden inside Some will ask…
By the Pain I See in Others Let me taste Let me feel I need to know what you…
Charlatan Vem är Gud? Var är Gud? Det är en svår fråga Jag…
Chrysalis And on the furthest day when you lay down Discard your…
Circle of the Tyrant After the battle is over And the sands drunken the blood All…
Circle of Tyrants After the battle is over And the sands drunken the blood A…
Cirkelns Riktning Under tiden när jakten pågår Krök din ryggrad ät din skam…
Closure Heal myself A feather on my heart Look inside There never w…
Coil She told me why She told me lies I always take care…
Coil ) She told me why She told me lies I always take care…
Credence Deserted again. You speak to me through the shadows. Walking…
Cusp of Eternity A child of autumn was born Into a world of deceit…
De närmast sörjande En åt gången varje år Sjunger bödlarna Den sista sången så f…
Death Whispered a Lullaby Out on the road There are fireflies circling Deep in the…
Deliverance Floating on mist Crept up the caverns of my brain Received n…
Demon of the Fall Silent dance with death. Everything is lost. Torn by the a…
Demon of the Fall= Silent dance with death. Everything is lost. Torn by the arr…
Demons Of The Fall Silent dance with death. Everything is lost. Torn by the a…
Den ständiga resan När jag tänker på den ständiga resan Genom livet När det a…
Derelict Herds Someone died for looking too far While I was asleep in…
Dignity Vid ett årsskifte så upplever många en känsla av vemod Vid…
Dirge for November Lost, here is nowhere Searching home still Turning past me, …
Dirge for November. Lost, here is nowhere Searching home still Turning past me…
Drapery Falls Please remedy my confusion And thrust me back to the day The…
Elysian Woes What is left when the morning comes Is the memory of…
Ending Credits 0716 [Instrutmental]…
Epilogue There it was. The final destiny. A sunrise that never came, …
Era There's a sign in the rain Every now and again It is…
Eternal Rains Will Come Eternal rains will come We should say goodbye And suffer on …
Eternal Soul Torture The deceased awake from beyond their sleep. Search for bloo…
Face By the turnstile beckons a damsel fair The face of Melinda…
Face in the Snow No more wishes for the past No lingering of sages and…
Face of Melinda By the turnstile beckons a damsel fair The face of Melinda…
Faith in Others The grave of our youth is up ahead And life has…
Famine I can't see your face And I can't breathe your air So…
Folklore Hey you, will you be true When you can see through…
Forest of October The memories that now rests in this forest Forever shadowing…
Garden of Earthly Delights För det om man slutar tänka Då blir man död…
Ghost of Perdition Ghost of Mother Lingering death Ghost on Mother's bed Black …
Ghost of Perdition (edit) Ghost of Mother Lingering death Ghost on Mother´s bed Black …
Ghost of Perdition snippet Ghost of Mother Lingering death Ghost on Mother's bed Black …
God Head's Lament Marauder Staining the soil, midst of stillness Beloved fra…
Godhead Marauder Staining the soil, midst of stillness Beloved frate…
Godhead's Lament Marauder Staining the soil, midst of stillness Beloved fra…
Godhead's Lament Marauder Staining the soil, midst of stillness Beloved frate…
Grand Conjuration The Majesty Faithful me Pour yourself Into me Wield your p…
Harlequin Forest Into the trees Past meadow grounds And further away from m…
Harvest Stay with me a while Rise above the vile Name my final…
Häxprocess A lifeline in a drop of blood A dying wish shun…
Heart in Hand Det är för bedrövligt! Usch! Vem fan är du? Take it as…
Heir Apparent Long days Slow waste Sew lies Sow hate So many years to cle…
Hessian Peel Will their children cry When their mother dies And in the au…
Hex Omega Two years In your heart One moment of doubt Two lives Torn …
Hjärtat vet vad handen gör "Det är för bedrövligt usch" "Vem fan är du" Ta det som…
Hope Leaves In the corner Beside my window Hangs a lonely photograph Th…
Hours of Wealth Found a way to rid myself clean of pain And the…
I Feel the Dark I feel the dark when I see you I feel the…
In Mist She Was Standing Seven milestones... Under a watching autumn eye Contorted tr…
In My Time of Need I can't see the meaning Of this life I'm leading I…
In The Mist She Was Standing Seven milestones... Under a watching autumn eye Contorted tr…
In time of need I can't see the meaning Of this life I'm leading I…
Into the Frost of Winter cannot find lyrics…
Isolation Years There's a sense of longing in me As I read Rosemary's…
Karma And as they say, grief is only able to possess The…
Kontinuerlig drift Huset tomt och bössan mager Och det ekar ganska kallt Alla m…
Livets Trädgård "För det... Om man man slutar tänka... Då blir man död"…
Madrigal Our abode 'mongst the stars is waiting, Long enough for our…
Marrow of the Earth [Instrumental]…
Master There is a voice calling for me There is a light…
Mellotron Heart I lost all I had I turned to my friends I wrote…
Minnets yta En röst i dimman Tjugo meter fram Den kallar på Ditt namn De…
Moon Above You are sleeping unhampered by guilt Comes the morning you …
Moon Above Sun Below You are sleeping unhampered by guilt Comes the morning you s…
Moonlapse Vertigo Kept warm by the light of the lantern Lost sight of…
Nectar I arose from the lullaby Enduring yet another tale You tempt…
Nepenthe Hope would fail me in the falling snow And slake a…
Next of Kin Every morrow, every year "Choir of hangmen sounds" The final…
Night And The Silent Water And so you left us Jaded and gaunt, some September Wilted …
of the Fall Please remedy my confusion And thrust me back to the day The…
Opeth-Patterns In The Ivy II Without you I cannot confide in anything The hope is pale…
Persephone A beloved name inside my heart A fleeting glance became the…
Porcelain Heart I, lost all I had (that April day) I, turned to…
Porcelain Heart ) I, lost all I had (one April day) I, turned to…
Prologue A morning in magenta, the petals fed from the dew.…
Pyre Follow the embers into cities of dreams What you've been se…
Remember Tommorrow Unchain the colours before my eyes, Yesterday's sorrows, to…
Remember Tomorrow Unchain the colours before my eyes, Yesterday's sorrows, tom…
Remember Tomorrow (Bonus Track Unchain the colours before my eyes Yesterday's sorrows, tom…
Requiem [Instrumental]…
Reverie / Harlequin Forest Into the trees past meadow grounds And further away from my…
River Show me a sign of troubles in your heart Spare me…
Serenity Painted Death Returned from a hibernal dream Voices fell like marble No lo…
Silhouette [Instrumental]…
Slither Summer's gone and love has withered I believe in nothing yet…
Soldier of Fortune I have often told you stories about the way I lived…
Sorceress I am a sinner and I worship evil Blood is thinner…
Sorceress 2 Until I take my final breath In a year or even…
Still Day Beneath the Sun There is a light that hits the gloom around Shows the…
Strange Brew An afternoon walk through the park I keep to the shadows…
svekets prins Svekets prins går ned på knä Letar djupt i en portmonnä Vid…
The Amen Corner White summer. So far I have gone to see you again. Hiding…
The Apostle in Triumph In solitude I wander Through the vast enchanted forest The…
The Baying of the Hounds I hear the baying of the hounds In the distance, I…
The Conjuration Majesty Faithful me Pour yourself Into me Wield your power …
The Devil This is obsidian The grip of winter unkind Devil will follow…
The Drapery Falls Please remedy my confusion And thrust me back to the day The…
The Funeral Portrait You wait by the window Morning's breath on the sill Idle han…
The Grand Conjuration Majesty Faithful me Pour yourself Into me Wield your power …
The Leper Affinity We entered Winter once again Naked, freezing from my breath …
The Lines in My Hand We are dying in the wake of gods and decrees…
The Lotus Eater Liquid is in your throat For hopeless delight After all you …
The Lotus Eater ) Liquid is in your throat For hopeless delight After all yo…
and many more tracks by Opeth.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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