Mikael Akerfeldt

Released on September 30, 2016, Opeth's 12th album found Mikael Åkerfeldt taking new risks: "The idea of stagnating, of writing a record simply to feed a career, that’s scary"

She discusses the Opeth album that gives her goosebumps, the one she falls asleep to, and how their work helped her create gloomy, dark paintings

Discover his thoughts on three-fingered guitar playing, a rock icon asking for his autograph, hot chillis, abandoned rabbit suits, never learning to drive, retirement, the 70s codpiece – and why he took up flute in the first place

When the Porcupine Tree and Opeth leaders got together in 2012, they were prepared to defy fans. And Åkerfleldt only wanted one thing out of the collaboration: a copy of their record

Making up for childhood poverty, the Opeth mastermind championed classic bands of the 70s when no one else cared – which made him a strange figure on the 90s Swedish metal scene

Metal classics, slasher movie soundtracks and Satanic rituals – this is the soundtrack to Mikael Akerfeldt’s life

Steven Wilson, Mike Portnoy, Steve Hackett and Arjen Lucassen list the reasons they like and admire Opeth leader Mikael Åkerfeldt

Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach chooses his favourite Porcupine Tree song, and gives some love to Pink Floyd and Mikael Åkerfeldt

The classic line-up had assembled, Steven Wilson was contributing and Mikael Åkerfeldt was mining songwriting gold – but you can’t convince him the 2001 release was their magnum opus

Six months before Black Sabbath released their landmark debut album, another band were praising Satan