Opeth Unveils New Album, The Last Will and Testament, and Drops Growly Lead Single ‘§1’
It’s a fortuitous day to be an Opeth fan!
The Swedish prog-metal titans have just announced the release of their upcoming 14th studio record, The Last Will and Testament, and released the album’s first single, equivocally titled ‘§1’.
As frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt explained to Blabbermouth, the new LP is a concept record, concerned with the institution of family, and the notion that “blood is not always thicker than water”. He went on to elucidate that his own ambivalent relationship towards music influenced the creative process, together with an inherent artistic approach that “tend[s] to favour the strange over the obvious”.
On ‘§1’, temporal eras collide. The song is a cross-section between the extreme metal proclivities of Opeth’s early years, and their progressive run of late. Whilst the instrumentals/arrangements are very much rooted in the latter sphere, the vocals feature Mikael’s death growls for the first time since 2008’s Watershed.
The music is rich with theatrical quality – lyrical, evocative and overtly dramatic – reminiscent of a score to a stage production (albeit an ominous one).
The Last Will and Testament will be released on October 11th via Reigning Phoenix Music. Pre-order now (click here) and check out our first single ‘§1’ (click here). The album also features special guests Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and Joey Tempest (Europe).
Words by Alexander Burgess @alexburgessmusic
Opeth – The Last Will and Testament tracklisting
1. §1
2. §2
3. §3
4. §4
5. §5
6. §6
7. §7
8. A Story Never Told
Opeth – The Last Will and Testament tracklisting
1. §1
2. §2
3. §3
4. §4
5. §5
6. §6
7. §7
8. A Story Never Told
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