Swedish legends OPETH are pleased to reveal that their 14th studio album, The Last Will & Testament, is set for release on October 11, 2024 via Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music. It is 5 long years since their last album – 2019’s In Cauda Venenum – and also marks 30 years of the esteemed, creative band.
To celebrate, Opeth have shared its first single, “§1” – now available on all DSPs here. Prior to today’s worldwide announcement, the album was teased yesterday exclusively for attendees at Wacken Open Air 2024 in conjunction with the band’s performance at the illustrious festival.
UK fans should be sure not to miss the revered group’s headline set at Bloodstock Open Air festival next Friday, August 9, where the band will perform a special fan-picked set. And do stop by the festival’s on site Rock & Metal Gallery, for a little Opeth surprise.
Opeth vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt admits, “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 and 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 Last Will & Testament is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets. The narrative weaves through the patriarch’s confessions, the reactions of his twin children, and the mysterious presence of a polio-ridden girl who the family have taken care of. The album begins with the reading of the father’s will in his mansion. Among those in attendance is a young girl, who, despite being an orphan and polio-ridden, has been raised by the family. Her presence at the will reading raises suspicions and questions among the twins.
https://opeth.rpm.link/paragraph1PR
The Last Will & Testament Tracklist:
01 – §1
02 – §2
03 – §3
04 – §4
05 – §5
06 – §6
07 – §7
08 – A Story Never Told
Opeth’s fourteenth album was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara). The Last Will & Testament was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (Ghost, The Hellacopters), engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (Killing Joke, Robert Plant), and Opeth, with Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of Opeth mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. Strings were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Visual artist Travis Smith returns to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting “photograph” reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s infamous “Overlook Hotel” photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Lineup:
Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars
Fredrik Åkesson – Guitars, backing vocals
Martin Mendez – Bass guitar
Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums and percussion
Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards, backing vocals
OPETH North American Tour Dates (w/ TRIBULATION) in October 2024:
11 Oct: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club
12 Oct: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater & Ballroom
14 Oct: Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
15 Oct: Montréal, QC @ L’Olympia
16 Oct: Worcester, MA @ Palladium
18 Oct: Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
19 Oct: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
20 Oct: Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
22 Oct: Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
23 Oct: New Orleans, LA @ Fillmore New Orleans
24 Oct: Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
25 Oct: Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
27 Oct: Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
29 Oct: Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
30 Oct: Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater
31 Oct: San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
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