Opeth announce new concept album "The Last Will & Testament"
Swedish legends Opeth are pleased to reveal that their 14th studio album, “The Last Will & Testament” is set for release on 11 October 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, 9 August 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!"
You can listen to §1 via your favourite DSP HERE.
Band photos (c) Terhi Ylimäinen
“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.
Regarding the record's creation, Åkerfeldt adds, "This is the first record with Walt on drums. 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! Stefan Boman recorded and mixed it all (CAPTURED it on TAPE… kind of…). Miles Showell did the master at Abbey Road Studios and then we (myself and Stefan) took him for a curry in Covent Garden. Travis Smith has done this odd-masterpiece-artwork that put 'clothes' on the music. 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?"
Album art (c) Travis Smith
Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flautist and Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson's signature notes fly on §4 and §7, he narrates on §1, §2, §4, and §7. Joining Anderson, Europe's Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on §2, while Åkerfeldt's youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in §1.
“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.
You can pre-order “The Last Will & Testament” HERE.
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.
