Acclaimed progressive metal legends Opeth have been honored with the prestigious Best Hard Rock & Metal award at this year’s Swedish Grammis. This achievement marks yet another milestone in the band’s illustrious career, further cementing their legacy as one of Sweden’s most influential and celebrated musical acts.
The award follows the release of The Last Will & Testament, the band’s fourteenth studio album, which was officially released on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music / Moderbolaget.
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.
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 whom 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.
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.
900k Spotify listeners, 500M cross-platform streams, 1M+ albums sold, multiple #1 albums, Swedish Grammy wins, and numerous multiple world tours – Opeth are one of the most important bands in metal music. Their unique sound and compelling storytelling made them a genre leader and highly respected artists among musicians and audiences alike.
