Opeth are back with the announcement of their new album “The Last Will & Testament”, and what a comeback it is. Their new single, “§1,” showcases the growl-heavy vocals that fans have long missed, a sound that harkens back to their heavier roots. The album is set for release on October 11 via Reigning Phoenix Music and pre-orders are now available. Stream the single below.
“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’,” said Opeth vocalist and guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt.
Åkerfeldt expressed his admiration for the new album, noting the dreamlike quality of their achievement: “I’m a bit in awe of what we did with “The Last Will and Testament.” It feels like a dream. There are some ‘coherence’ and ‘songwriting skills’ I hope, but what do I know? I tend to favor 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 has 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.
“This is the first record with Walt on drums,” Åkerfeldt shared. “Seeing and hearing him record his bits was otherworldly and what went through my head was something like: How can a human being play this stuff? The older cats (myself, Mendez, Fred, and Jocke) did our bits in due time. We did them well (I like to think) and the alcohol concentration in our blood was mostly quite low as the red light was on. We’re professionals, you see! Rockfield Studios treated us well and we love that place!”
The album’s production involved several notable collaborators. Stefan Boman handled the recording and mixing, capturing the essence of the music on tape. Miles Showell mastered the album at Abbey Road Studios, after which Boman and Åkerfeldt treated him to a curry in Covent Garden. The album’s artwork, described as an “odd-masterpiece,” was created by Travis Smith, adding a visual layer to the music.
The strings on “The Last Will & Testament” were arranged by Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson provided narration and flute on several tracks, while Europe’s Joey Tempest contributed backing vocals. Åkerfeldt’s youngest daughter, Mirjam, lent her voice to the opening track, adding a personal touch to the album.
“All in all, we hope we’ve put together a nice little morsel of information for you to nibble on when it’s raining out. Thank you for your time. Thank you for reading. Thank you for listening. Thank you for giving us a respectable past. I’ll thank you for our future in the actual future, OK?”
“The Last Will & Testament” is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of Opeth’s finest material to date. Just as Opeth welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story—this time with growls.
