General Questions:
How did you get into the music business?
'I think it was really when we first got signed with Opeth. It wasn't "business" at the time, as we weren't making any money whatsoever. We we're signed in 1993, so it's 11 years ago now. I've been playing in a band since 1988 maybe.'
Who has been your main influences?
'Starting out it was all the heavy metal bands of the 80´s, hard rock bands of the 70´s + the whole death and black metal scene. I didn't really get into progressive and psychadelic music until the early 90´s, and that's really when Opeth started to develop a original sound.'
List five albums of the bands/artists that you like the most and why!
'Porcupine Tree - I think they're the best band that's around today basically.
Paatos - I haven't been so moved ny music for a long time!
Black sabbath - Do I need to explain?
Cressida - I mention them becasue they we're so incredibly good, and not just another obscure band with rare albums.
Morbid Angel - The ultimate death metal band and a massive influence for Opeth! The above are just very few of many many bands that deserve mentioning. You only wanted 5 though.'
What time was/is the most interesting for the rock music, in your opinion and why - 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or 00s?
'60´s because of the Beatles and especially their experimenting phase from 1966 - 1968.
I think psychedelic music owes a lot to them, well, music in general really!
70´s had maybe more bands that I'm into but there was not so much of a musical revolution then apart from the heavy bands like Sabbath and Purple.
The prog scene was in parts fantastic and obviously in full bloom, but like every trend, there will be loads of shit out there too!'
Your dream band (living or dead ;), who would they be, vocal/bass/drums/keyboard/lead guitar/rythm guitar/producer?
'David Coverdale - Voice.
John Glasscock (Chicken shack, Jethro tull, Carmen) - bass.
Agostino Marangolo (Goblin) - Drums.
Tony Carey (Rainbow) - Keyboards.
Ritchie Blackmore - Guitars.
Andy Latimer (Camel) - Guitars
....produced by Dieter Dierks!!!
It would probably suck, but I'd buy it!!'
What kind of equipment/gear are you using on the road and in the studio?
'I mostly use my PRS guitars, I got 2 Custom 24's that I like.
I have a Les paul standard too, 2 strats (1972 + 1975) 2 Martins (00016 + 00024) + my Laney amps GH100L + VC30 and effects like the GT6.
I have a great classical too...Amalio Burguet 2am....
I got many guitars!!'
If you dont have been in the music business what have you been doing then?
'Definately record store or guitar store. I've already worked in both!'
What are you currently up to?
'We have our 4th USA tour in support of the last albums starting on Monday the 19th of this month. New album will be written this year. Possible recording in the Winter.'
Artist/Album Related Questions:
The Beginning
Your first band, name and when did it begun??
'Eruption - Late 80´s....1988 I think.'
Sort of music? ...Influences?
'Thrash or Death Metal with some Punk influences'
The Beginning of Opeth
- When:
'1990'
- Why:
'Why not? I was heavily into death metal and I thought the band logo was cool!'
The Concerts with Opeth
- First Concert, where/when?
'Sundbyberg ungdomsgård - 1991'
- Best concert, where/when/why?
'Too many to mention but Athens/Greece in 2002 was great! Mexico city this year too!'
- Which songs do/did you like performing live most and why?
'"Deliverance", "Drapery Falls", "Bleak" etc...don't like to play the old songs...they're boring to play. We play them anyways, but they're a drag to play!'
- Any anecdotes/speciell memories from your Concerts?
'Too many to mention...people falling from stage is always funny!'
- Any other stories/thoughts that you want to share with us?
'I'm all dazed from this "test" so I can't come to think of anything. Cheers'
Discography by Mikael Åkerfeldt:
1995 - Orchid
- What do you think about your debut album, 'Orchid' ?
'Great debut I think. We were prepared and had been rehearsing the songs for years. It's a bit naive and sometimes I can't believe what I've written, but it's good all the same.'
- Favourite Song (and why)?
'"Under The Weeping Moon" is a cool track...the middle part is really psychadelic for being a death metal band in 1994.'
- Any anecdotes /special memories from the recording sessions?
'I vomited during the mix due to too much booze the day before. I missed a lot of the mix but it sounded good. We were also chased from the pub by a huge drunk woman who were throwing bottles after us.'
1996 - Morningrise
- Comments about your second album, 'Morningrise' ?
'Many fans say it's our best. It's unique I think for a metal band, but my least favourite Opeth album due to the sound. It's absolutely bollocks! The snare is the worst I've heard + the guitars are really mosquito like! Good album but not my fave!'
- Favourite Song (and why)?
'"To Bid You Farewell". is the best song on there I believe.'
- Any anecdotes /special memories from the recording sessions?
'Our bassist at the time was bragging about how good he was in chess. We played that a lot during the recording. He said he'd been studying chess strategies. Everyone of us beat him!'
1998 - My Arms, Your Hearse
- And what about your third album 'My Arms, Your Hearse'?
'One of our best Cd's! Cold and dark album. It's truly a one of a kind recording! The muddy sound is maybe not so great but perfect for the atnosphere of the album'
- Favourite Song (and why)?
'All of them, but "Amen Corner" and "When" are great! I like all song on that album!'
- Any anecdotes/special memories from the recording sessions?
'Lopez was using a pile of porn mags for pillow, and he slept on the floor of the toilet for 2 weeks. Don't ask me why! There were several fights and outburst. Very troubled recording, but it went alright in the end!'
1999 - Still Life
- Feelings about your fourth studio album, 'Still Life' ?
'Fantastic album. Very emotional and melodic but also our most technical album.'
- Favourite Song (and why)?
'"The Moor", "Melinda" are fantastic songs I think. Again I like all of them!'
- Any anecdotes/special memories from the recording sessions?
'We signed the new record deal (Peaceville/MFN) in the studio wearing shades. It was recorded in the old Nacksving studio.'
2001 - Blackwater Park
- This is one of my favourite records by Opeth, your feelings about it?
'This is our breakthrough album so to speak. It did many good things for us. Deservedly so as it's indeed a very good album. Some of my best songs I feel!'
- Favourite Song (and why)?
'"Bleak", "Blackwater Park" are probably the standout tracks on there.'
- Any anecdotes/special memories from the recording sessions?
'I didn't shower for 14 days, I put my socks in the faces if the other guys.'
2002 - Deliverance
- And what do you think about 'Deliverance'?
'Bad memories about the recording but the album is good!'
- Favourite Song (and why)?
'"Deliverance" is the best song I've written I think!'
- Any anecdotes/special memories from the recording sessions?
'No good memories!'
2003 - Damnation
- And what do you think about your, uptodate, latest album, 'Damnation'?
'Our best album in a way but it's so different than the others you can't really compare!'
- Favourite Song (and why)?
'"Windowpane" and "Hope Leaves".'
- Any anecdotes/special memories from the recording sessions?
'Not really...don't remember so much...I was working so hard I got consumed by work and didn't really have any perspective on what really was going on.'
Many Thanks to Mikael Åkerfeldt for spending time on this interview AND sharing it with us!
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