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
The Grand Conjuration
Opeth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Faithful me
Pour yourself
Into me
Wield your power
Martyr's price
Stare me down
Slake my thirst
Eternal wealth
Heathen key
Round my neck
This poetry
Our blasphemy
Know the sounds
Of infamy
The eyes of the devil
Fixed on his sinners
The hands of Satan
Assembling his flock
Pale horse rider
Searching the earth
Whispered conjuration
A belief takes form
Choking hand tapping
The veins in your throat
His orders in your mouth
A decree for domination
Beneath the tides of wisdom
Spins the undertow of hate
Injected seeds of vengeance
Usurper's eyes of the powerless
Clean path to his kingdom
Beckoning in the mist
Tell my why
Love subsides
In the light
Of your wishes
Say my name
Ease the pain
Clear the smoke
In my head
The lyrics above are from the song "The Grand Conjuration" by Swedish progressive death metal band, Opeth. The song is about the summoning of a demonic force, likely Satan, and the effect this has on the person summoning them. The lyrics suggest that the person, who may be seen as a martyr, is allowing themselves to be possessed by the demon, with lines such as "wield your power" and "his orders in your mouth". The reference to a "heathen key" round the person's neck suggests that they are using a pagan symbol, perhaps to help them summon the demon. The lyrics also mention the idea of infamy, suggesting that both the summoner and the demon they are summoning are seen as infamous or notorious figures.
The lyrics also mention the idea of the "hands of Satan assembling his flock", which suggests that the summoner is bringing together a group of like-minded individuals who are willing to follow the demon's commands. This is reinforced by the line "usurper's eyes of the powerless", which suggests that the summoner is taking advantage of those who cannot resist their power. The line "clean path to his kingdom" suggests that the summoner sees the demon as a means to an end, a way of achieving power and domination.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of someone who is willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve their goals, even if it means summoning a demonic force. The summoner is perhaps driven by a desire for power or vengeance, and is willing to sacrifice everything, including their own soul, to achieve their desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Majesty
Acknowledging the greatness and power of a divine being
Faithful me
Expressing loyalty and devotion to this divine being
Pour yourself
Requesting the divine being to share its power and presence
Into me
Asking the divine being to fill and merge with oneself
Wield your power
Asking the divine being to use its power to achieve a purpose
Martyr's price
Referring to the cost or sacrifice required to achieve the purpose
Stare me down
Asking the divine being to confront and challenge oneself
To the ground
Aspiring to be humbled and overpowered by the divine being
Slake my thirst
Asking the divine being to satisfy a desire or need
Eternal wealth
Referring to the spiritual or metaphysical rewards that the divine being can grant
Heathen key
A symbol or object that unlocks knowledge or power of forbidden origin
Round my neck
Describing the possession of this key as something that is always with oneself
This poetry
Describing the song itself as an artful expression of forbidden, heretical knowledge
Our blasphemy
Referring to the band and its fans challenging the religious, moral or cultural norms
Know the sounds
Implying that the song's listeners should recognize or understand its meanings and implications
Of infamy
Describing the song and its message as something infamous or notorious
The eyes of the devil
Metaphor for the influence of evil manifested in the world
Fixed on his sinners
Referring to the intense scrutiny and punishment that evil inflicts on wrongdoers
The hands of Satan
Another metaphor for the power and control of evil in the world
Assembling his flock
Describing the process by which evil claims or recruits its followers among humanity
Pale horse rider
A biblical symbol of death or destruction that serves as an omen or herald of imminent calamity
Searching the earth
Implying that the pale horse rider is seeking the wicked and the doomed
Whispered conjuration
Describing the act of invoking supernatural forces or spirits by means of a ritual or spell
A belief takes form
Describing the manifestation of the invoked spirits as an embodiment of a particular ideology or faith
Choking hand tapping
A metaphor for the suffocating influence or control over someone by an external force or ruler
The veins in your throat
Metaphor for the source of speech or expression, which can be suppressed or dominated by others
His orders in your mouth
Depicting the enforced obedience or manipulation of someone to speak or act according to someone else's will
A decree for domination
Describing the orders imparted as a means of subjugating or ruling over others
Beneath the tides of wisdom
Metaphor for the vast, deep and timeless knowledge that underpins the universe
Spins the undertow of hate
Metaphor for the powerful and destructive emotions that can arise and corrupt rationality and positivity
Injected seeds of vengeance
Referring to the cultivation of aspirations or desires to harm others who have wronged oneself
Usurper's eyes of the powerless
Metaphor for the gaze of tyrants and oppressors that deprives the oppressed of autonomy and self-worth
Clean path to his kingdom
Describing the path of submission or collaboration with the tyrant as a means of attaining power, wealth or immunity
Beckoning in the mist
Implying that the vision of a desirable outcome or fate is obscured or unclear
Tell my why
Requesting an explanation or justification for a puzzling or distressing situation
Love subsides
Describing the gradual extinguishing of affection or positive emotions
In the light
Implying that the source of this emotional decline is something wholesome, illuminating or conscious
Of your wishes
Stating that the object of affection has unattainable desires or aspirations that are incompatible with oneself
Say my name
Requesting to be recognized or acknowledged
Ease the pain
Asking for comfort or relief from physical or emotional distress
Clear the smoke
Metaphor for seeking clarity, truth or understanding from a chaotic or confusing situation
In my head
Stating that this chaos and confusion arises from one's own mind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MIKAEL LARS AKERFELDT, PER WIBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mojorusty
Majesty
Faithful me
Pour yourself
Into me
Wield your power
Martyr's price
Stare me down
To the ground
Slake my thirst
Eternal wealth
Heathen key
Round my neck
This poetry
Our blasphemy
Know the sounds
Of infamy
The eyes of the devil
Fixed on his sinners
The hands of Satan
Assembling his flock
Pale horse rider
Searching the earth
Whispered conjuration
A belief takes form
Choking hand tapping
The veins in your throat
His orders in your mouth
A decree for domination
Beneath the tides of wisdom
Spins the undertow of hate
Injected seeds of vengeance
Usurper's eyes of the powerless
Clean path to his kingdom
Beckoning in the mist
Tell my why
Love subsides
In the light
Of your wishes
Say my name
Ease the pain
Clear the smoke
In my head
@michaelfavvas7519
Greek Translation:)
Μεγαλειότητα
Πιστός εγώ
Χύσε τον εαυτό σου
Μέσα μου
Άσκε την δύναμη σου
Τιμή του μάρτυρα
Κάρφωσε με με το βλέμμα σου
Προς το πάτωμα
Τά μάτια του διαβόλου
Εστιασμένα στους αμαρτωλούς του
Σβήσε τη δίψα μου
Δηινεκή πλούτη
Εθνικό κλειδί
Γύρω από το λαιμό μου
Αυτή η ποίηση
Η βλασφημία μας
Γνώριζε τους ήχους
της κακοφημίας
Τα χέρια του Σατανά
Συγκεντρώνουν το πλήθος
Ο χλωμός ιππέας αλόγου
Τρυγιρίζει στην γη
Ψιθυρισμένη επωδή
Μια πίστη παίρνει μορφή
Πνιγόμενο χέρι ακουμπάει
Τις φλέβες στον λάρυγγα σου
Οι διαταγές του στο στώμα σου
Ένα διάταγμα για κυριαρχία
Κάτω από την παλίρροια της σοφίας
Γυρνάει το υπόγειο ρεύμα του μίσους
Εγχεόμενοι σπόροι της εκδίκησης
Τα μάτια του σφετεριστής στους αδύναμους
Καθαρός δρόμος προς το βασίλειο του
Φωτίζει μες στην ομίχλη
Η υπέροχη επωδή
Πες μου γιατί
Η αγάπη υποχωρεί
Μέσα στο φως
της ευχής σου
Πες το ονομά μου
Ελάττωσε τον πόνο
Καθάρισε τον καπνό
μες στο κεφάλι μου
@OffTheRailGaming
In this song:
Mikael conjures satan and then scares him away.
@Gisele11
it totally depicts that!
@keithberns5
Mikael is the complete package, technical death metal guitar skills, sings like an angel, growls like a demon, and the best metal songwriter of all time.
@silverburst79
Chafing cake you forgot funny and humble
@toprak3479
@BB147 Like every Swede ever
@abhimanyusingh6481
I’ll try to correct you, OF ALL TIME.
@THEUNHINGEDSANITY
everyone praises the guitar compositions, but not enough credit is given to the drum orchestration.
@TheBushwooky
+THEUNHINGEDSANITY The drums are my favorite part of this song
@Nomad-ts9nc
I'm a guitarist but even I get pissed at how drums are so often overlooked despite the fact that they're the Base for the whole song.
@Neonmirrorblack
Not enough credit is given to Akerfeldt's take on death growls either. With how many death metal bands there have been since the late 80s, very few growls still come close to sounding as rich and mostly understandable like his do.