Progressive titans Opeth are releasing the critically acclaimed “The Last Will And Testament” November 22nd. People lost their minds when long time (not original) band member Mikael Akerfeldt brought back growling to an album since 2008’s “Watershed”. I’m probably the wrong person to be subjective about Opeth as they’re my favorite band of all time.
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull lended his flute talents to this record. Joey Tempest from Europe also had a guest feature on TLW&T. Opeth has always had a progressive sound from the get go, they just went full on for the divisive and unusual “Heritage”. That’s 100% still there and mixed with death metal. It’s even more unique and has that classic Opeth sound they mastered over the decades. They make beautiful melodies and sections, yet always sound haunting and uncomfortable.
The follow-up to 2019’s widely acclaimed In Cauda Venenum; The Last Will & Testament is set in the shadowy, sepia-stained 1920s. It slowly reveals its secrets like some classic thriller from the distant, cobwebbed past, with each successive song shining more light on the stated machinations of our dead (but definitely not harmless) protagonist. The emotional chaos of the story is perfectly matched by Opeth’s vivid but claustrophobic soundtrack, which artfully winds its way towards a crestfallen but sumptuous finale. Masters of their own idiosyncratic musical domain, Opeth have never sounded more unique.
Opeth’s guitar work has always been phenomenal no matter who’s held down the lead spot. Frederik has taken it to another level with Mikael with some soulful and shredful leads, mixing in some gnarly riffs between the two. The pair is a dynamic duo with a wealth of talents . Their wild sound changes in songs (Ala “Hessian Peel” from Watershed) drew me into the band.
There’s plenty of mood changes which has always been an Opeth thing. Mikael’s voice has always been phenomenal and experimented even trying soft/spoken word styles. The keys and organs are on point thanks to Joakim. He knows when to add more on certain parts of songs and when to take a back seat. He doesn’t steal the show and knows when to layer the right styles in these songs.
This is Walt’s first album with the band while filling in on drums when Martin Axenrot quit. He had a long run in Paradise Lost on drums. He’s surely fit in well bringing in some heavy parts on drums and beefed up the Opeth sound. I caught them with my wife in Pittsburgh recently and he did their old tracks serious justice. Mendez has always brought great rhythms and fills on bass. He’s been a long time great and there’s nothing new to hear here. Martin had always been a creative and fantastic bassist. He is a big part of their sound over the last few decades.
“The Last Will And Testament” offers a cool theme, whacky and heavy music while staying true to their sound. It’s a unique release with some cool twists and turns, with some traditional Akerfeldt growls. It has everything the prog people enjoy while offering heavy sections for the death metal folks. The album is now scheduled to release November 22nd. Don’t ignore this album.