Opeth - Sorceress

I'll cut to the chase. If you're the breed of Opeth fan that refuses to believe the band has done anything of substance since their 2008 album, Watershed, then their latest album will not change that opinion. On the flip side of that coin, if you are, at the very least, unoffended by any of Opeth's post-Watershed material, then you would probably be interested to know that Sorceress is among the strongest of their recent output. With the recent transition from Roadrunner to Nuclear Blast Records, it seems that Akerfeldt and co. have found a new wind; maybe not the wind we've not so-secretly been hoping for for the past five years, but a welcomed one nonetheless.

Podcast Episode #2: "Opethimism"

It's been a long time comin', but the second episode of the Brutalitopia is up and ready for all of your listening pleasures.  This time around, Mick, Durf, and Tom discuss about Opeth's progression over the years as it relates to their recent shift in sound.  Also joining the discussion as a special guest is a features editor of Invisible Oranges and writer for No Clean Singing, Joseph Schafer.

Listen to the podcast after the break!

Albums of the Year, Then and Now (2008-2012)

Welcome to Part II of my retrospective look at my top albums from past years, where I see if they still hold that lofty position or have fallen prey to the ravages of time.  If you missed Part I, where I looked at albums from 2003-2007, check it out here.  If you’re ready to continue and see the albums from 2008-2012, then onward to the Time Machine!

Albums of the Year, Then and Now (2003-2007)

Ah, December.  That magical time of year when the blogger’s fancy turns to letting you know their favorite albums of the year in a long, drawn out list.  Fear not; this is not that list.  That list will be released sometime within the next few weeks.  This is more of a primer, a dual post to get you started thinking about what “Album of the Year” really means while at the same time giving you an unasked for history of my listening tastes over the past decade… and more importantly, how things have changed in hindsight.

Skinny Jeans and Blast Beats

Let’s play a quick game.  It won’t take long, and it won’t be hard.  Here’s how it will work: I’m going to ask you a question, you think of the answer, and then we see if you’re right or not.  Sounds fun, right?  Let’s give it a whirl.  Who won the World Series in 1984? Did you say the Detroit Tigers?  If you did, you were right.  Here’s another one, just for kicks: Which came first, Blackwater Park or Leviathan?  Blackwater Park you say? My, you’re good at this.  Ok, enough practicing, let’s break out the real deal.  What’s a name for a sub sect of society that is pretentious, overbearing, and spiteful toward those who think differently about pop culture than they, dresses in a manner deemed to be “weird” to the mainstream, and often views music, movies, et al in terms of absolutes rather than subjectively?  Cue the “Jeopardy” theme… ok.  Got your answers?  Raise your hand if you said “hipsters.”  Well that’s cute, and somewhat accurate, but it’s not what I was going for.

Exclusive Interview: Mikael Akerfeldt

This past Saturday, I had the extreme, lifelong dream come true pleasure of sitting down and talking with the one and only Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth.  Opeth has long been my favorite band, and they were in the Chicago area on tour with Katatonia, so it was a great opportunity to sit down with Mikael and chat about a myriad of topics, like the state of metal music, his thoughts on working with his musical heroes, and even what the new Opeth record (!) might sound like.  Check out the interview below; I'm pretty sure it's awesome and you'll enjoy it, although I may have blacked out from too much awesome while actually speaking with him.

Exclusive Interview: Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth)

Meeting legends within the metal community is always a humbling experience, as was the case about a week ago when Nathan and I were lucky enough to land an interview with Opeth frontman, Mikael Akerfeldt.  I regret that it took us so long to get this interview up, but hey better late than never.  Mikael was a very humble guy and was extremely interesting and fun to chat with.  While I could've sat there forever talking to him about stuff, I also tried to stay concise and cover as much material as possible within the interview so enjoy.


- Mick
 

Opeth Turns The Prog Volume Up To 11

So just as soon as we're graced with new Mastodon, I find out from our friends at Heavy Blog is Heavy that new Opeth has also emerged!  Just......wow I don't even know what to say.  I'm still digesting this new track, entitled The Devil's Orchard, but I'm definitely digging the very proggy sound that Opeth is looking to deliver with their new record.  The new record, Heritage, is set to be released on September 16th via Roadrunner.  Get excited folks.

-Mick

Opeth Album Artwork Revealed!

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the brand new album artwork for Opeth's upcoming release of Heritage.  It's scheduled to come out on September 20.  Is it just me or does anybody else think of Sergeant Pepper when they look at this artwork?  Just sayin.

-Mick

And the New Opeth Album Will Be Called......

Didn't I just tell ya this year had plenty more in store for us?!  Opeth has officially announced, via their facebook page, that their new album will be entitled Heritage.  The album is also set to be released this September, apparently.  Good news indeed.  I'll post more news about this as it is released.

5/26/11

I figured I would just update the next wave of info here rather than on another post.  But yes there is plenty of new info on Opeth's new album including the full track-lisitng!

Check out all of this info after the break.

We'll Do It Live Fridays: Happy New Years!

While we took off last weekend due to the holidays, We'll Do It Live Fridays returns just in time for the new year.  In the spirit of looking ahead to 2011, there are many releases I'm already excited for.  For WDILF today, I've decided to throw up a clip from a band who are amongst those releasing new material this upcoming year.  Check out who it is after the break.

Opeth Starting Work On #10 In January!

Your eyes do not deceive you my friends. It is true. Roadrunner just announced that Mikael and the boys from Opeth will be entering the studio this coming January to begin work on their TENTH studio record!  Release dates have already been speculated to be sometime in the fall of 2011. 

I can assure you 100% that there will be plenty more information on this as they begin recording, which by the way will be assisted by Porcupine Tree's Steve Wilson.  Needless to say, I'm jacked.  You should be too!

-Mick