Opeth
Opeth is a heavy metal band from Sweden that formed in Stockholm in 1990.
Their music combines elements from Scandinavian death metal (growling vocals, fast tempo) and progressive rock (syncopation, unusual time signature). They are also known for adding a variety of non-metal elements to their music and are influenced by diverse musical styles, including jazz, 1970s progressive rock, folk, and blues. Opeth are often classified separately from regular death metal acts due to their unique blend of melodic and progressive elements. Lead vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt has also been noted for his singing, which utilizes both growling and clean vocals.
History
Formation (1990-1993)
Opeth was formed in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden by David Isberg. Isberg asked former Eruption member Mikael Åkerfeldt to join the band as a bass player in a practice session. Isberg failed to inform the current bass player or any other members of the band. All other members of the band except for Isberg quit for this reason and Åkerfeldt joined the band after his former band Eruption had ended. With Åkerfeldt (on guitar) and Isberg (on vocals), the band was soon joined by former Eruption drummer Anders Nordin and bassist Nick Döring. Andreas Dimeo also joined as a second guitarist.
This line-up lasted only a year after Döring and Dimeo quit after the band's first performance. Guitarist Kim Pettersson and bassist Johan DeFarfalla joined the group for the band's second performance. DeFarfalla left after the second performance to spend time with his girlfriend in Germany. DeFarfalla was replaced with bassist Peter Lindgren.
Personnel
- Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitar
- Fredrik Åkesson − guitar
- Martin Mendez − bass guitar
- Martin Axenrot – drums
- Per Wiberg – keyboards, mellotron, backing vocals
Discography
- Orchid (1995)
- Morningrise (1996)
- My Arms, Your Hearse (1998)
- Still Life (1999)
- Blackwater Park (2001)
- Deliverance (2002)
- Damnation (2003)
- Ghost Reveries (2005)