Last Will & Testament

”'The Last Will & Testament' is a concept record of sorts. A restless musical journey in a way mirroring my own relationship with music as a consumer of it", narrates band leader Mikael Åkerfeldt. "I pick up something here, dismiss something there. I worship and I hate music at the same time. This ambivalence leads me down some type of creative path of my own and then, all of a sudden, a collection of songs has been written. Best case scenario, these songs are good enough to impress the band. Good enough for the powers that be in terms of the industry. Good enough for you? I love this record. I have to say it (write it). Maybe I’m proud even? There are some familiar ingredients in there, I suppose. Most of our music has sprung from the same source, so I guess it’s not much of a shocker if it’s going to sound like us. I’m a bit in awe of what we did with 'The Last Will & Testament'. It feels like a dream. There is some coherence and songwriting skills I hope, but what do I know? I tend to favour the strange over the obvious, but I feel like I’m in the minority, and that’s fine. So, fair warning! Don’t expect an instant rush (as per usual), but if you do get it (have you got it yet?) right away, that’s ok too!".

The legendary and Grammy nominated progressive metal band Opeth return with their album announcement for "The Last Will & Testament". This is a concept record, a restless musical journey in a way mirroring the band’s own relationship with music as a consumer of it. There are some familiar ingredients, as most of the band's music has sprung from the same source, so it’s naturally going to sound like Opeth. Instead of the usual instant rush, expect to favour the strange over the obvious, sonically speaking.....

Atomic Fire Records, October 11th, 2024.