Emerging from the brutally exuberant Stockholm death metal scene of the early 90s, Opeth stood apart from the start. While their peers were inspired by Morbid Angel and Death, singer/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt’s crew had clearly been listening to old prog records from the 70s.
Their naïve but fervently exploratory debut album, Orchid, released in 1995, was a revelation for open-minded death metal fans, but even the band’s most devoted admirers won’t have anticipated the extraordinary musical journey that Opeth have taken over the past 25 years.
After a steady stream of critically acclaimed albums that thrilled the metal underground, Opeth’s first major breakthrough came with 2001’s Blackwater Park: a majestic new blueprint for progressive metal, still emitting echoes of Opeth’s extreme metal hinterland but melodic to its expansive core.
The band having rarely toured prior to its release, the album ensured that Opeth would steadily evolve into an impressive live act. As a result, their popularity has continued to grow, through numerous line-up changes and stylistic about-turns, and their contribution to progressive rock’s ongoing resurgence and rehabilitation is undeniable.
At this stage, Opeth’s appeal lies as much in their versatility as in their adherence to a particular sound. From the acoustic elegance of 2004’s Damnation and the multi-faceted, Beatles-saluting sprawl of 2005’s Ghost Reveries, to the dark, dissonant churn of 2008’s Watershed, the Swedes refused to repeat themselves.
Meanwhile, Åkerfeldt himself has earned a reputation as one of the best reluctant stand-up comedians in heavy music. He was also the first person to perform death metal vocals and say “c**t” on stage at the Royal Albert Hall.
Beneath the dry humour, however, lies a ferociously creative songwriter with instinctive disdain for the musically throwaway. As demonstrated on brand new album In Cauda Venenum, the current line-up of Åkerfeldt, guitarist Fredrik Åkesson, bassist Martín Méndez, drummer Martin Axenrot and keyboard player Joakim Svalberg have gelled magnificently.
No longer tethered to a metal scene that was never quite prepared to embrace Opeth’s weirder indulgences, they are proof that music can be adventurous and successful.