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Chapter VII and VIII from the Book of Opeth
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I had
started to write for what was becoming “Deliverance” and “Damnation”.
I was kinda jaded and didn’t really feel like writing, didn’t have any
inspiration at all.
I wanted to write heavy music, something heavier than we’d ever done, still I
had all these great ( I thought) mellow parts and arrangements which I didn’t
want to go to waste.
My best friend, Jonas of Katatonia, heard my moans…”What shall I do?” He’s the
one who came up with the idea of doing 2 albums…one heavier, one mellow.
The idea wasn’t brand new as our former label Candlelight, and Lee Barret had
sown the seed after we did “Morningrise”, although that idea was more based on
doing a single, all mellow album. Not two albums. Anyways, this was so exciting
that I more or less decided that this is what we gonna do. I decided even
before asking the rest of the band, that’s how excited I was. When I eventually
told them about these plans, all of them we’re into the idea. When I told the
label however, there was a little more talking involved to get them interested.
Basically I had to lie somewhat…saying that we could do this recording very
soon, it won’t cost more than a regular single album + it will be fantastic. We
didn’t even bother to negotiate the contract. These two albums count as one
album in the contract, so we only got funds and advances for a single album.
Are we crazy? Maybe stupid? Yes, I believe so, but we have a sincere devotion
for music an for doing experiments, so money is never an issue.
Them “lies” I told actually came true eventually. We did record both albums
during 7 weeks, which is what we spent on doing “Blackwater park”. I had heaps
of material already…I’d been writing for a long time at home.
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I got a lot of help from my new “toy”, a Boss BR-8 digital studio. Well,
studio….it’s a 8 track thing I bought off Dan Swanö. Anyways, if it wasn’t for
this device there probably wouldn’t have been any more albums at
all.
As most of you know by now, the 4 of us see the recordings of "Deliverance" and
"Damnation" as the toughest test of our history. We wrapped everything up in
the studio in the early fall of 2002.
Andy Sneap and Backstage productions had been booked for mixing and mastering.
Peter and myself went down there just days after we came back home. I remember
being so tired that I virtually just came in there, gave Andy the hard drive
that contained the album, said something like: "Mix it!" and then went to sleep
on the couch. I was in a terrible state...all of us was tired, but I was the
only one who'd been working basically 24/7.
The other guys in the band had been able to take some time off, go home etc.
Sneap started mixing and everything went fine. He's credited as a "saviour" in
the sleeve as he surely saved much of the recording. "Deliverance" was so badly
recorded, without any organisation whatsoever… some sounds we're dirty, and
some instruments, like the hi-hat, didn't have a microphone of it's own at all.
He had to get it out of the overhead microphones. Anyway, he probably did loads
of tricks we don't even know about, basically I don't wanna know. Everything
came out fine in the end, and we've now put it behind us.
by Mikael Åkerfeldt
Read the Book of Opeth at www.opeth.com
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Discography |
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1995 Orchid
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The band released their first album 'Orchid' in the summer of 1995.
TrackList:
01. In The Mist She Was Standing [14.09]
02. Under The Weeping Moon [09.52]
03. Silhouette [03.07]
04. Forest Of October [13.04]
05. The Twilight Is My Robe [11.01]
06. Requiem [01.11]
07. The Apostle In Triumph [13.01]
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- 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.'
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1996 Morningrise
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Opeth's second album, 'Morningrise', was released in
the Autumn of 1996.
TrackList:
01. Advent [13.46]
02. The Night And The Silent Water [11.00]
03. Nectar [10.09]
04. Black Rose Immortal [20.14]
05. To bid you farewell [10.57]
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- 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!'
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1998 My
Arms, Your Hearse
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'My Arms, Your Hearse' was recorded in 1997 and
released in the spring of 1998
TrackList:
01. Prologue [00.59]
02. April Ethereal [08.41]
03. When [09.14]
04. Madrigal [01.25]
05. The Amen Corner [08.43]
06. Demon of the fall [06.13]
07. Credence [05.26]
08. Karma [07.52]
09. Epilogue [03.59]
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- 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!'
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1999 Still
Life |
Still Life, released in October 18, 1999.
TrackList:
01. The Moor [11.28]
02. Godhead´s lament [09.47]
03. Benighted [05.01]
04. Moonlapse Vertigo [09.00]
05. Face Of Melinda [07.59]
06. Serenity Painted Death [09.14]
07. White Cluster [10.02]
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- 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.'
Hazelnutz favourites :: 'The Moor',
'Face of Melinda' and 'White Cluster'
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2001 Blackwater
Park
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Released March 12, 2001
TrackList:
01. The Leper Affinity [10.23]
02. Bleak [09.16]
03. Harvest [06.01]
04. The Drapery Falls [10.54]
05. Dirge For November [07.54]
06. The Funeral Portrait [08.44]
07. Patterns In The Ivy [01.53]
08. Blackwater Park [12.08]
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- 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.'
Hazelnutz favourites : 'Bleak, 'Harvest' and
'The Drapery Falls'
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2002 Deliverance
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Released November 4, 2002
TrackList:
01. Wreath [11.10]
02. Deliverance [13.36]
03. A fair judgement [10.24]
04. For absent friends (Instrumental) [2.17]
05. Master's apprentices [10.32]
06. By the pain I see in others[13.51]
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- 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!'
Hazelnutz favourites:'Deliverance', 'A Fair Judgement'
and 'By the Pain I See in Others'
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2003 Damnation
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'Damnation' released in April, 2003
TrackList:
1. Windowpane [7:45]
2. In my time of need [5:49]
3. Death whispered a lullaby [5:49]
4. Closure [5:15]
5. Hope leaves [4:30]
6. To rid the disease [6:21]
7. Ending credits [3:39]
8. Weakness [4:10]
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- 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.'
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Opeth
Live 2003 at Klubben, Sweden
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Opeth Links
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Opeth Official
Site
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Mikael
Åkerfeldt interview February 2004
by Claes Hassel
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General
Questions:
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How did you get into the
music business?
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'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.'
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Who has been your main
influences?
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'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!
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'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?
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'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!'
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Your
dream band(living or dead ;), who would they be, vocal/bass/drums/keyboard/lead
guitar/rythm guitar/producer?
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'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!!'
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What kind of equipment/gear
are you using on the road and in the studio?
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'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!!'
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If you
dont have been in the music business what have you been doing then?
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'Definately record store or guitar
store. I've already worked in both!'
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What are you currently up
to?
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'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.'
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Artist/album
related questions:
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The Beginning
Your first band, name and when did it begun??
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'Eruption - Late
80´s....1988 I think.' |
Sort
of music? ...Influences?
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'Thrash or Death Metal with some Punk
influences' |
Opeth:
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The
Beginning of Opeth |
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- When: '1990'
- Why: 'Why not? I was heavily into death metal and I thought
the band logo was cool!'
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The Concerts with
Opeth:
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- 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'
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Many Thanks to Mikael
Åkerfeldt for spending time on this interview AND
sharing it with us!
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