According to Fredrik, Mikael doesn't know a thing about scales or modes. He just does what sounds good(through trial and error), leading to him often changing scales and such mid song.
I find it profoundly hard to believe that this 12 minute prog-metal song bursting with modulations and time-shifts and riffs is Mikael just winging it until something sounds good.
@@fathuman why not? When I compose music I let it sit and come back a later date and add other things, so yes i think it is possible he is not the ultra geek when it comes to music theory. Some people are born more musical than others and they hear stuff in their head without knowing immediately what it is.
@@fathuman exactly, and I do recall interviews with Mikael, where he said both that he didn't ever have any knowledge of scales and modes , yet in one he said somethin along the line "he learns whatever gets the job done " - this from a Metal Hammer interview. In another interview there was a line that he took some classical lessons. So yeah I think you are right, people will tell they have no knowledge of scales , but then when you ask more in-depth it unfolds, they know this and that
@@fathuman This was written more then halfway through Opeth's career. Mikael has a lot of experience by this point... I'd say winging it is exaggerating. Animal's as leaders first album was recorded before Tosin went to music school. Mikael, weather musically educated or not, CLEARLY has a unique musical ear. Every single Opeth song is completely original. A lot of classically trained musicians create cookie cuter music by comparison.
One time we had the opportunity in my English class to create something to deliver a message in any medium. I emailed my professor asking if I could do a death metal song. He replied "Sure just make sure you pronounce your consonants well so it's clear like how Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth does" I was like O_____O BRO. COOLEST ENGLISH TEACHER EVER
4:17 Ghost Reveries was originally going to be a full concept album, but it was never realized. Ghost of Perdition is the introduction to what would have been the story. Basically, a man’s mom dies and becomes possessed by the devil. The Grand Conjuration, another song on Ghost Reveries, is the second part.
I remember when Martin Mendez had long hair, this was back in 95/96, I played with him in a black metal band and he was the singer, also Martin Lopez was on drums. I have good memories of that time and I'm very happy how far they went. 🤘🤘
@@MattiasWalc Hey! sorry for the delay, yes I uploaded the demo here th-cam.com/video/MRZHtVckaaA/w-d-xo.html Keep in mind this was recorded in one day on a 8 track tape recorder, so expect a lot of mistakes and things 😁 There is a few pictures of that day, also I have a rehearsal recorded at Lopez house, I need to find the tape and digitalize it. 😉
@@Benjamin-om3ih Keyword METAL. Yeah metal fans know about them but their highest ranked album is Sorceress at #8 and In Cauda Venenum at #9. They deserve far more.
How popular do you expect a band to get when their average song is 10 minutes long and filled with things like growled vocals, atonal passages, time signature changes etc. you know? I think they're pretty big considering the sort of music they play.
Yo, Shred. Awesome video. Would love to see you analyse “Flesh and the Power it Holds” by Death (or any song by Death, for that matter - “Lack of Comprehension” is another complex one).
Can you be a (rock) musical genius without theory backing you up? I dunno. Eddie Van Halen or Geddy Lee seem to have set a high bar. I think it’s much harder to create your own style and voice than to recite every mode or voicing ever devised. Maybe not having that knowledge makes the path more difficult but then again, no rules = no boundaries. Just play. If theory helps you progress and get that sound in your head to come out of your fingers, study it. This channel is a great tool to helping understand how.
Thanks for the insights Shred! I’ll always remember the first time I heard Opeth; I was at one of those music sampling stations at a borders bookstore, the album Blackwater Park, the song-Harvest…what a haunting ballad. I’ve followed them on and off through the years but, what a great band!
Can you do an overview about Kiko Loureiro's work in Angra? He had lots of influence from bands as Racer X. Nothing to Say and Technical Difficulties have a similar style and it also is a influence for Matias Kupianein. Nobody talks about how our boy Matias is a sick guitar player! :^/
HELLLL yes a video on one of the best songs of all time let's gooooo And yeah dude hahahaha Opeth is practically the 6/8 band and just amazing all around.
The current members of Opeth are Mikael Åkerfeldt(Vocals) and Fredrik Åkesson on guitars, Joakim Svalberg on keyboards, Martin Mendez on bass and Waltteri Väyrynen on drums, but at the time of this live recording Martin Axenrot was the drummer. Väyrynen replaced Axenrot when said drummer Martin Axenrot left the band in 2021.
Awesome analysis good to see some of the guitar chords they use. Been trying to learn this song on bass guitar recently and its quite challenging. Particularly around the 7:09 part with those 8? 9? note bursts? the *pure sex part* I cant burst that fast. I still struggle to play the 7 note bursts at the end of deliverance cleanly up to speed.
All jokes aside, you Mr Shredmaster Scott the 666th, are infact a genius, instantly being able to tell all the theory aspects, that's deserving respect, and donuts, horay!
Fantastic, well done. And all the side comments about the rocks :D A couple of suggestions: Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars , and Insomnium - Pale Morning Star
Can you do one about any ANATHEMA song? It's a really underrated band. Maybe the song "the optimist" or "the lost song Part 3" or "the gatheting of the clouds" or "dreaming light"
They seem to have a thing for amphitheatres. I saw them live in the one atop Loreley. That's a famous steep slate rock at the river Rhine where German folklore would have a woman (Loreley) have been accused of bewitching men with magic (but actually with her beauty) and fallen to her death when she thought she had seen her love in the waters of the Rhine. The story says she could now be seen by atop the rock (I say rock but it's a steep 400 foot cliff) singing and combing her hair, causing sailors to wreck their ships near the shore, as with sirens in Greek mythology. Bc of the tricky local currents, there actually were a lot of shipwrecks. I know that little story is waaaay random and off topic but I thought sth like that really fit Opeth. Or if not, it'd fit some Nautical Doom band, lol
Nice review Mr Shred. I really like your videos, i learn a lot with your knowledge. October's 25 2021 i will see Opeth again in Lisbon , and im looking forward for that. Off course, if shity corona's allow. Greetings from Portugal.
It’s crazy that akerfeldt says he doesn’t know shit about music theory. He just plays stuff that sounds nice. I’m sure he has a passing knowledge of keys and how to build chords at least but I’d like to hear him do some improvised stuff. He’s a great arranger and composer but I’ve never heard him improvise over anything.
Hey Shred Scott, is Municipal Waste or Iron Reagan 'metal' enough? metal lost me around the Rebel meets Rebel/Superjoint Ritual timeframe...... LOVE the lessons and shit though bro.... cheers from Kentucky!!!
Would love to see some analysis of Spawn of Possession. It's got a real classical vibe to it the way they build songs. Recommend Apparition, Scorched, or Sour Flow off the album's Incurso and Noctambulant.
Do you take notes or study the material much before doing these vids? This format of breaking down songs is sick, I'm definitely a new fan of yours. Archspire - Involuntary Doppelganger would be incredible! 🤘
Although my knowledge of music theory is quite limited; The Grand Conjuration (same album) has one of the most evil sounds I've ever heard...and it's perfect.
I would sell my soul to be able to compose something similar to Opeth's "Damnation". Can you help a bit? In case you wonder why I don't just do it myself the answer is simple. I don't have the skills. I actually just started guitar again after a 20 years break (life, family, children, etc) and I am starting almost from the scratch (major scale, chords, etc). And he is using some "non-existing" chords...
🔴 OPETH Ghosts Of Perdition vs Music Theory Tab:
www.patreon.com/posts/48791496
According to Fredrik, Mikael doesn't know a thing about scales or modes. He just does what sounds good(through trial and error), leading to him often changing scales and such mid song.
Love it
I find it profoundly hard to believe that this 12 minute prog-metal song bursting with modulations and time-shifts and riffs is Mikael just winging it until something sounds good.
@@fathuman why not? When I compose music I let it sit and come back a later date and add other things, so yes i think it is possible he is not the ultra geek when it comes to music theory. Some people are born more musical than others and they hear stuff in their head without knowing immediately what it is.
@@fathuman exactly, and I do recall interviews with Mikael, where he said both that he didn't ever have any knowledge of scales and modes , yet in one he said somethin along the line "he learns whatever gets the job done " - this from a Metal Hammer interview. In another interview there was a line that he took some classical lessons. So yeah I think you are right, people will tell they have no knowledge of scales , but then when you ask more in-depth it unfolds, they know this and that
@@fathuman This was written more then halfway through Opeth's career. Mikael has a lot of experience by this point... I'd say winging it is exaggerating. Animal's as leaders first album was recorded before Tosin went to music school. Mikael, weather musically educated or not, CLEARLY has a unique musical ear. Every single Opeth song is completely original. A lot of classically trained musicians create cookie cuter music by comparison.
Micheal has insane growls. What stands out to me is how clear his pronunciations are. Great band
One time we had the opportunity in my English class to create something to deliver a message in any medium. I emailed my professor asking if I could do a death metal song. He replied "Sure just make sure you pronounce your consonants well so it's clear like how Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth does" I was like O_____O BRO. COOLEST ENGLISH TEACHER EVER
@@Zyborggian i needed a teacher like that
@@Zyborggian CAN I BORROW YOUR TEACHER?
4:17 Ghost Reveries was originally going to be a full concept album, but it was never realized. Ghost of Perdition is the introduction to what would have been the story. Basically, a man’s mom dies and becomes possessed by the devil. The Grand Conjuration, another song on Ghost Reveries, is the second part.
I thought all prog albums were concept albums
Great concept
Dies? Doesn’t the main character kill his mother? I feel like that’s an important detail
@@derrick9702 Nah they're not
i feel like beneath the mire and baying of the hounds are connected too....
As a long time Opeth fan, so glad to see them get so much love recently
SAME! I don't know what's going on but I'm intent on this damn algorithm working for them finally.
The reason the security guards can chill in chairs, is because we Opeth fans are just there to enjoy the music.
Always heard of opeth greatness, but this live performance made me a believer
Incredible stuff
@@ShredmasterScott hey could u break down the first solo I waited 10yrs can't figure it out
HE DID MY SUGGESTION!!! LET'S GO!
Thanks!!
You’re welcome
It was my suggestion as well, respect bro 🤘🏼😈🤘🏼
L'enfant savuage, nice
lesssssss gooooooo yeah yeah
I remember when Martin Mendez had long hair, this was back in 95/96, I played with him in a black metal band and he was the singer, also Martin Lopez was on drums.
I have good memories of that time and I'm very happy how far they went. 🤘🤘
Lopez, Mendez & Gomez 🤟
@@mellertid The ZZZ-top 🤣🤣🤘
That’s so cool! Do you have anything recorded from that time? :)
@@MattiasWalc Hey! sorry for the delay, yes I uploaded the demo here th-cam.com/video/MRZHtVckaaA/w-d-xo.html
Keep in mind this was recorded in one day on a 8 track tape recorder, so expect a lot of mistakes and things 😁
There is a few pictures of that day, also I have a rehearsal recorded at Lopez house, I need to find the tape and digitalize it.
😉
@@DanGmz Nice man!! So awesome to have heard and seen this 😄
These guys have mastered the art of polyrhythm, modes, and chord structures, yet play together so incredibly tight! Beautiful sadness!!!
Best live mix ever.
One is the greatest metal songs ever written. An absolute masterpiece of composition.
one of my favorite songs of all time, killed it shred🤘
A word from a COMPOSER (and Opeth fan):
Ghost of Perdition is a MASTERPIECE. Every single riff and melody is beautiful or/and engaging or/and COOL AF!
It's fucked up how little attention Opeth gets. Makes me angry.
They are one of the worlds biggest metal bands
@@Benjamin-om3ih Keyword METAL. Yeah metal fans know about them but their highest ranked album is Sorceress at #8 and In Cauda Venenum at #9. They deserve far more.
Shut up dude it’s our little secret I wanna be able to see gigs later in life keep it that way.
How popular do you expect a band to get when their average song is 10 minutes long and filled with things like growled vocals, atonal passages, time signature changes etc. you know? I think they're pretty big considering the sort of music they play.
You can’t actually expect the general population to appreciate this
OMG I had no idea this existed. Thank you Shred! Outstanding review.
This is just an evolution of classical music. There's no denying.
Opeth's chord voicings are so unique
Great stuff, Shred! Thank you!
Yo, Shred. Awesome video. Would love to see you analyse “Flesh and the Power it Holds” by Death (or any song by Death, for that matter - “Lack of Comprehension” is another complex one).
finally an high quality video. My favorite Opeth song from the best possible show
Cool analysis - what's funny is that I've heard Mikael doesn't know a lot of music theory
He has his own theory
@@ShredmasterScott there's definitely a method to his madness
Can you be a (rock) musical genius without theory backing you up? I dunno. Eddie Van Halen or Geddy Lee seem to have set a high bar. I think it’s much harder to create your own style and voice than to recite every mode or voicing ever devised. Maybe not having that knowledge makes the path more difficult but then again, no rules = no boundaries. Just play. If theory helps you progress and get that sound in your head to come out of your fingers, study it. This channel is a great tool to helping understand how.
He just knows what sounds good intuitively
He doesn't. His writing style is all over the place lol Effective tho
DELIVERANCE!!!
Isn’t it awesome that you can click “like” on a video even before you watch it because you know the content’s creator oozes quality? ‘Cause I do.
Great video man.
Thanks for the insights Shred! I’ll always remember the first time I heard Opeth; I was at one of those music sampling stations at a borders bookstore, the album Blackwater Park, the song-Harvest…what a haunting ballad. I’ve followed them on and off through the years but, what a great band!
I remember in one of your videos you made a reference to Opeth and that's how I discovered them!
Some mastodon would be nice too
Opeth. Scott. I stand like!
Opeth has such intricate compositions. Mesmerizing to watch.
Can you do an overview about Kiko Loureiro's work in Angra?
He had lots of influence from bands as Racer X.
Nothing to Say and Technical Difficulties have a similar style and it also is a influence for Matias Kupianein.
Nobody talks about how our boy Matias is a sick guitar player! :^/
Angra is always underrated to anyone outside of Brazil. This is coming from an American.
@@AssfaceOmega Umderrated even here in Brazil to be fair
@@Heaview Ahhh true.
That’d be cool
Awesome video, great break down. I can’t wait to try the tabs you posted.
Excellent muhahaha
HELLLL yes a video on one of the best songs of all time let's gooooo
And yeah dude hahahaha Opeth is practically the 6/8 band and just amazing all around.
Hey Shred please react to gojira’s art of dying cause it’s SPICY
I like Spicy 🌶
That's one song I find myself returning to time and time again.
I was there too! Such a sick show. That was my first time at Red Rocks. Gojira and Devin were great too!
The current members of Opeth are Mikael Åkerfeldt(Vocals) and Fredrik Åkesson on guitars, Joakim Svalberg on keyboards, Martin Mendez on bass and Waltteri Väyrynen on drums, but at the time of this live recording Martin Axenrot was the drummer. Väyrynen replaced Axenrot when said drummer Martin Axenrot left the band in 2021.
Man thanks for this !!!!
Ne obliviscaris, and plague flowers the keilidoscope. Ive spelt that wrong.
The Drapery Falls next, if not,
Serenity Painted Death or Face of Melinda. Demon of The Fall also perfect
Yo shred you got to do some Necrophagist, stay brutal \m/
Muhahaha
Maybe some ignominious and pale live 🤔
Awesome analysis good to see some of the guitar chords they use. Been trying to learn this song on bass guitar recently and its quite challenging. Particularly around the 7:09 part with those 8? 9? note bursts? the *pure sex part* I cant burst that fast. I still struggle to play the 7 note bursts at the end of deliverance cleanly up to speed.
I was at this show and it was a magical night with Townsend, Gojira and of course Opeth!
oh sick my good mate showed me this song when i first got into metal. such a great song. I love listening to the instrumental
I was at that show. Definitely among my top ten best shows. The rocks do appear red brown in the sunlight.
Some BTBAM would be dope. I think Obfuscation would be a great pick because there is a lot of interesting stuff going on in that song
All jokes aside, you Mr Shredmaster Scott the 666th, are infact a genius, instantly being able to tell all the theory aspects, that's deserving respect,
and donuts, horay!
Fantastic, well done. And all the side comments about the rocks :D
A couple of suggestions: Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars , and Insomnium - Pale Morning Star
I’m convinced mikael has used up all the riffs possible because he’s made so many banger songs like this
Anyone else clicking like before the video starts? :)
Lay some of that fat knowledge pipe on my favorite band Amon Amarth! 🔥🤘🔥
DIMMU BORGIR - Gateways (LIVE - FORCES OF THE NORTHERN NIGHT)
The beginning of the song is also in 6/8. Also, the song is from a concept album about a person who sells his soul to Satan.
I was there. 2nd best show ever, behind meet and greet and snake pit for metallica in Denver 2017.
Last show i caught was Bonamassa at Red Rocks......oh, then King Diamond the followin November at the Fillmore......
Thank you Shred
"Maiden harmonies" - exactly what I thought when I heard that the 1st time ;)
Can you do one about any ANATHEMA song?
It's a really underrated band.
Maybe the song "the optimist" or "the lost song Part 3" or "the gatheting of the clouds" or "dreaming light"
I agree 🤘🤘
Lovelorn Rhapsody please.
@@nicoloenricorimoldi7425 i love this song!
But i don't think it's as interesting in terms of theory as the new stuff.
What an excellent song to unpack and analyze 🍻
I was begging for you to do some opeth then found this. Fuck yeah.
They seem to have a thing for amphitheatres.
I saw them live in the one atop Loreley. That's a famous steep slate rock at the river Rhine where German folklore would have a woman (Loreley) have been accused of bewitching men with magic (but actually with her beauty) and fallen to her death when she thought she had seen her love in the waters of the Rhine. The story says she could now be seen by atop the rock (I say rock but it's a steep 400 foot cliff) singing and combing her hair, causing sailors to wreck their ships near the shore, as with sirens in Greek mythology. Bc of the tricky local currents, there actually were a lot of shipwrecks. I know that little story is waaaay random and off topic but I thought sth like that really fit Opeth. Or if not, it'd fit some Nautical Doom band, lol
5:37 Prog music summarised
He did our suggestion. 👍
Nice review Mr Shred. I really like your videos, i learn a lot with your knowledge. October's 25 2021 i will see Opeth again in Lisbon , and im looking forward for that. Off course, if shity corona's allow. Greetings from Portugal.
Lead guitarist is Fredrik Åkesson he is amazing look him up... he was in Talisman
GREAT CHANNEL FELLOW HUMAN.
Best Metal content on YT. Satan's balls will be tickled. Keep it coming, bro 💀🤘
One of my favorite all time bass lines. I’m glad to hear if mentioned. Good review. Thanks.
I’d like to see “Relentless Mutation” by Archspire.
I love nerding and analyzing theory🤘🔥
MUSIC THEORY ANALYSYS: "this part ofc is S E X "
Well done SHRED, couldn't agree more.
And until next time, stay good!
I like these vs music theory videos!!
Would love to have some analysis on Apostle of the Triumph as well!
Hell yeah. Lingering death.
Brutal voice and melodies
Yessss I absolutely love this band!!!
On another note, I'd love if you could analyze Puzzle Box by Haken or Omega by Epica
Glad you did Opeth! How about some Necrophagist next? Maybe Stabwound or Symbiotic in Theory?
"And that ships to C.. Dorian.. and then aioli" 5:46
Great review! As always!
How about "Passer" by Katatonia for a future one?
I saw the C#aug and at first thought it said Chug
It’s crazy that akerfeldt says he doesn’t know shit about music theory. He just plays stuff that sounds nice. I’m sure he has a passing knowledge of keys and how to build chords at least but I’d like to hear him do some improvised stuff. He’s a great arranger and composer but I’ve never heard him improvise over anything.
Dio bless you!!
Great liveband, great on the record band.
So much talent and skill. Met them a few times, great guys, very humble.
Would love to see some music theory on some number twelve looks like you!
Sorceress is such a badass one too🤙🏻🤙🏻 with their Kashmir like riff
Your deadpan demeanor is hilarious LOL
Hey Shred Scott, is Municipal Waste or Iron Reagan 'metal' enough? metal lost me around the Rebel meets Rebel/Superjoint Ritual timeframe...... LOVE the lessons and shit though bro.... cheers from Kentucky!!!
Would love to see some analysis of Spawn of Possession. It's got a real classical vibe to it the way they build songs. Recommend Apparition, Scorched, or Sour Flow off the album's Incurso and Noctambulant.
The saddest of all the keys according to Spinal Tap! lol
Can u do on children of bodom
The melodic vocal part reminds me of Gregorian chants.
Please analyze "Goliath" by the band Karnivool. A lot of interesting sounds there 👊😎🎸
How about Mastodon’s Capillarian Crest?
Do you take notes or study the material much before doing these vids? This format of breaking down songs is sick, I'm definitely a new fan of yours.
Archspire - Involuntary Doppelganger would be incredible! 🤘
Yes muhahaha
How about Slateface Echos?
Although my knowledge of music theory is quite limited; The Grand Conjuration (same album) has one of the most evil sounds I've ever heard...and it's perfect.
So far, I get most of your points, but from where do I get those rocks to round up my compositions?
Hey scott can you do "Soothsayer" by Buckethead
Yesss
Death's Flesh and the power it holds vs music theory maybe?
I would sell my soul to be able to compose something similar to Opeth's "Damnation". Can you help a bit? In case you wonder why I don't just do it myself the answer is simple. I don't have the skills. I actually just started guitar again after a 20 years break (life, family, children, etc) and I am starting almost from the scratch (major scale, chords, etc). And he is using some "non-existing" chords...
Those sequrity guards and those audience were witnessed GODS that day...
what scale was that first solo based on can any one answer?? shred you missed that important part!