Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt on 'Sorceress' and contrasting fusion & heavy parts | Aggressive Tendencies
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- Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt suggests there isn't as dramatic a difference between their old records and their new ones as some fans may think. He thinks there is a difference sonically, though, so starting with 'Heritage,' they turned down the distortion to get a more "rootsy" sound. The title track of Sorceress came about because he had the fusion-esque part that starts the song, and he wanted to put the most "stupid, meat and potatoes thing" afterwards for a great contrast. He reveals that the writing and recording of the last three albums has gone quicker and almost feels like a new band, in some ways. | Aggressive TendenciesOctober 05, 2016.
Interview by Bradley Zorgdrager
Filmed and edited by Katherine Kwan
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Opeth’s variety is what makes them great. A lot of people I recommend this band to have a hard time getting into their older stuff, so these albums are excellent entryways to the band. In fact, one of my favorite Opeth songs, Will O the Wisp, is on this album, and Deliverance is my favorite Opeth album! I think he said it best in this video, that they need to be true to themselves when writing music, and while styles has shifted over the years, the quality is still there.
I actually started listening to this band with Heritage and Pale Communion. I've since gone back to Ghost Reveries and older albums. I love the music equally in all their work. Quality music that I can appreciate! now I really love this band.
Just as an interesting aside -- heard an interview from Dan Swanö where he talks about Opeth (one of the artists that was a mentor of sorts to Mikael and collaborated with him plenty, including engineering the first records), and he says that when you strip away the 70s production and lack of growls, the riffs and such are still very "Opeth" and not that different.
Cool! Thanks for sharing. Swanö is the manö!
Rohann van Rensburg
did it take someone to point that out to ya, just kidding, but not really.
Take a few beers or have a joint and listen to it. Awesome record.
I like their music, its experimental and different and as artists I love that they evolve and not get caught up in labels or pigeon holed
I LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW!!
I find it sad that he still gets asked these questions in interviews, or feels the need to defend decisions. Their greatness comes from their artistic integrity, and while they may have incredibly whiny (ex) fans, it would be more interesting to hear about specific influences in new records. I hope they never compromise that.
I told him at the start that this is specifically for a metal channel and asked if it was ok if many of my questions referenced their heavier side/influences. He graciously accepted. I greatly admire their artistic integrity and how they push forward, doing whatever they want.
I apologize, I hope I didn't come across as criticizing you guys, that wasn't my intention. I was speaking more generally as I obviously couldn't tell precisely what questions you had asked -- it was more a general comment regarding other interviews I've seen that followed more along the lines of "why no growls tho", where it was clear the interviewers hadn't bothered to read or watch any interviews since Heritage. Generally speaking I feel sad that he has to keep defending himself but that is the fault of closed-minded, persistently moaning ex-fans.
I appreciate this interview, for the record. I didn't know his more detailed thoughts about Bloodbath, that was interesting.
Thanks for all this, Rohann. I just wanted to explain where we were coming from. I'm glad you dig the interview. Much love!
Thank you for the replies! I appreciate the willingness to meaningfully engage. The last thing the internet needs more of it criticism, and I wanted to be sure to clear that out of the way. :-)
That meat and potatoes is f*cking epic. Love Opeth and Mikaels songwriting skills.
As someone who hated Heritage and Pale Communion, I loved Sorceress. It was really good, and sounded more fleshed out, varied, and clean than the previous ones mentioned. I actually bought a signed copy at a show because it was so good.
Old albums to new are all awesome. Mikael and Opeth are truly masters of music and painting pictures with sound.
Strange Brew is my favorite song on the album so awesome.
I loved all the prog influences so so much. Huge fan of both spectrums, let musicians spread their wings people
Although I love old school Opeth, I agree with Mikael here; the death metal type stuff worked for the old records but after I listened to Watershed the growling was starting to get quite repetitive for a progressive band, and repetition is the exact opposite of progression. I’m actually very glad they stepped outside of the box and explored beyond their typical sound. For those who say Opeth is a death metal band, you’re wrong, if you want death metal listen to Bloodbath, plenty of Åkerfeldt growls there, my friend. If you want me to prove that Opeth hasn’t changed as much as you thought, listen to Remember Tomorrow off of the “My Arms, Your Hearse” record or Bridge Of Sighs off of “Watershed”, or maybe the whole flippin “Damnation” album.
If they would successfully mix this style and the one in Blackwater Park in a future album that would be awesome
Sorceress is such a perfect album 💜💜💜
That cut makes it sound like he wrote those albums in like 2 weeks. I wish they hadn't done that.
3:06 THANKS
He talks like a guy that got into metal rehab and talks about his past metal addiction LMAF love opeth !
This isn't anything new for them though. I remember when Damnation came out and Akerfeldt said that it proves you don't have to have blastbeats and screams to be "heavy." I think they had this material in them for a while. In fact I'd say they could've done it sooner than Heritage, maybe making Ghost Reveries their last proper death metal album.
If the transfomarion was the other way around , it would make more sense.
Wellllllllllll
I love the old stuf more
But the newer stuf is also aweosome
Only the newest album
Hm
Lately I've gone back and listened to all their albums in their entirety. I have discovered that I like Heritage due to seeing some of the songs performed live and gave me a new perspective on it. Pale Communication is just horrible. It's a disjointed album that has nothing to grab on to. It's funny that I use the word "disjointed" due to....it's Opeth...they have wicked time and style changes throughout. The difference is there were riffs you could latch on to in earlier releases. With Sorceress it does have a third album feel and they are starting to "get it right" so to speak. It works better. I'm interested in the upcoming album. I know the screams are long gone but have they grown into an "Opeth" prog, or will they still try to emulate their heroes? We'll see.
I don't believe that heavy record cannot be well produced and mixed.
i did not like the last three records from opeth i dont think that it sounds as cool something changed with the loss of their long time guitar player , i really haven't dug anything they have done since the record before watershed .
As if the intention and passion isn't there.. feels rushed
There's a way to progress musically that sounds connected to your body of work. Case in point, Gojira's Magma album. Then there's the way Opeth did it, which is sudden and jarring. I'm one of those that think the change is awful, not because it's different, but because if the last two albums were the first two albums from unknown band, everyone would write it off. The new stuff just doesn't appeal to me at all. I'll go listen to Yes instead. Of course it's all a matter of opinion, but I think some people are so enamored with Mike that he could literally do a 15 minute opus on a bongo and they would argue to the bitter end that it is brilliant. Mike has recently said the experiment is over. I'm looking forward to the return to epic drama in the style of The Funeral Portrait, but with Mike's new take on it.
"In one way it doesn't feel like it, but in another it feels like Sorceress is our third record, if you know what I mean."
Man, he wants to distance himself from the fans that got them here _so_ much. He tries to act like he doesn't care, but he still never seems 100% comfortable talking about the change and comes off almost as feeling betrayed. I suppose that is just human and I really do empathize, but at the same time, _sheesh._
You're stupid
@@XIntoxicationalX Because he made his point and doesn't agree with you. So then ... OF COURSE HE IS!
@@ahmeteminerdogan9266 he can do whatever he wants
@@XIntoxicationalX I'm sure it felt good to write that comment, but that's not a terribly effective way of swaying someone. Tell me why I'm wrong instead.
It was never about the growls or the heaviness for me. It was always about the great songwriting. And thats gone with mostly anything of their "new career". It sounds like a very boring Akerfeldt solo project, no more Opeth. Who cares, I like their old ones. Like two completely different bands.
3:16 Sounds like it too
I thought Opeth changed since Damnation
Abandoning a fundamental aspect of their sound is sad. The new albums are decent but something important has been lost.
I don't get why people hate sorcoress, one of their best albums
Not too big of a difference? Akerfeldt, I love you man, but come on, that's ridiculous. It is completely and utterly different.
the difference is in style, not in dynamics. The problem is when someone doesn't understand a different style and doesn't feel that dynamic, if you even know what that is?
I actually started listening to this band with Heritage and Pale Communion. I've since gone back to Ghost Reveries and older albums. I love the music equally in all their work. Quality music that I can appreciate! now I really love this band.
@Arturo Wayne Shame on you