OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt: Bands NEW Record, SABBATH's Return, Touring With KATATONIA & Much More!

As previously reported, OPETH are writing NEW music! According to the bands frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, the band is planning to re-enter the studio this fall, perhaps at the end of September! Exciting ah? Stay tuned for more OPETH news! For now, check out this killer interview that our good friend Metal Mark from Skulls N Bones recently conducted with Åkerfeldt!




Don't for that the "North American Heritage Tour 2013" featuring OPETH and KATATONIA its well on its way. Get your tickets HERE!

Here is the official tour poster:

Related links:
Official site of Opeth

OPETH: celebrate 10 years of 'Damnation' at an in-store performance on Record Store Day!

This past Saturday, April 20, Sweden's OPETH performed a very special set at a record store in Leominster, Massachusetts in celebration of ‘Record Store Day‘ as well as the 10th anniversary of their groundbreaking studio album 'Damnation'. Fan-filmed footage can be seen below.

'Damnation' was released on April 22, 2003 via Koch Records. Damnation is the seventh full-length studio album by Opeth and produced by Steven Wilson. 'Damnation' was released only five months after 'Deliverance' and was dedicated by Mikael Åkerfeldt to his grandmother, who died in a car accident during the recordings of 'both albums which was also the reason why he did not write lyrics to "Death Whispered a Lullaby" because of how distraught he was the incident, distracting him to do so.

The album was a radical departure from their typical death metal sound and the first Opeth release to do so with a much softer with clean vocals and guitar sounds, prominent mellotron, 1970s inspired progressive rock genre which features no heavy riffs, extendedly fast tempos and shorter songs.

Here is video of OPETH jamming on Record Store Day:



In case you missed this: OPETH are writing NEW music! According to Fredrik, the next record will go "in a somewhat different direction to 'Heritage'. It won't be a step back, but it will be different. Maybe more intense in a way. You'll have to wait and see! I was in the studio today and put down my solos and I was very happy about it. The song I heard that Mikael [Åkerfeldt]wrote today sounds very cool. I think that's all I can say at this point!"

According to Åkesson, the band is planning to re-enter the studio this fall, perhaps at the end of September! Exciting ah? Stay tuned for more OPETH news!

Get your tickets HERE!

Here is the official tour poster:

Related links:
Official site of Opeth

OPETH Are Writing NEW Music - Details Available!

According the great folks over at Roadrunner Records, OPETH guitarist Fredrik Åkesson recently chatted with Australia's Loudmag, and during the interview he revealed that OPETH are writing NEW music!

According to Fredrik, the next record will go "in a somewhat different direction to 'Heritage'. It won't be a step back, but it will be different. Maybe more intense in a way. You'll have to wait and see! I was in the studio today and put down my solos and I was very happy about it. The song I heard that Mikael [Åkerfeldt]wrote today sounds very cool. I think that's all I can say at this point!"

According to Åkesson, the band is planning to re-enter the studio this fall, perhaps at the end of September! Exciting ah? Stay tuned for more OPETH news!

Don't for that the "North American Heritage Tour 2013" kicks off on April 18 in Buffalo, N.Y. Get your tickets HERE!

Here is the official tour poster:

Related links:
Official site of Opeth

KATATONIA's Music Video For "Lethean" Has Arrived; Band Nominated For A Swedish Grammy!

Katatonia, Sweden's master of dark Rock, has completed work on its latest video for the track, "Lethean," lifted from last year's acclaimed 'Dead End Kings' opus. The video was shot by Lasse Hoile, notable for his previous work with the Katatonia as well as Opeth and Porcupine Tree.Watch this badass video now!

In related news, it has also been announced that Katatonia is shortlisted for a Swedish Grammy award in the 'Best Metal Album' category for 'Dead End Kings'.

This year also sees the band embark upon an Australian tour with countrymen Opeth in March, as well as an extensive North American tour in April and May.

Commented guitarist, Anders Nyström, "Back in the U.S.A...That's right Springsteen! We're looking at round number two as special guests to our brothers in Opeth on their last North American leg of the Heritage World Tour. This time we'll mainly cover off-territories, so regardless if you caught or missed us last time, consider this a second chance to attend the dead ends of North America with one of the best bills there'll ever be!"

The tour will make two special stops, the first in Worcester, Mass. on April 20 where the band returns to play the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival, then in Clifton Park, N.Y. on April 28 where acclaimed Porcupine Tree front-man Steven Wilson will join for the night. A full list of confirmed dates, including five Katatonia headlining performances, can be seen below.

Get your tickets HERE!

Here is the official tour poster:

Related links:
Katatonia's Official Site

Tour Poster & Tickets For The 2013 OPETH & KATATONIA Tour!

As previously announced, two of Sweden's finest musical exports: Opeth and Katatonia, will be joining forces again for another North American tour. The pair will be out on the road together this spring as part of "North American Heritage Tour 2013".

The "North American Heritage Tour 2013," will conquer over 30 cities this spring beginning April 18 in Buffalo, N.Y. Get your tickets HERE!

Here is the official tour poster:

Related links:
Katatonia's Official Site
Official site of Opeth

Tour Dates Revealed For The OPETH & KATATONIA North American Tour!

As previously announced, two of Sweden's finest musical exports: Opeth and Katatonia, will be joining forces again for another North American tour. The pair will be out on the road together this spring as part of "North American Heritage Tour 2013".

The "North American Heritage Tour 2013," will conquer over 30 cities this spring beginning April 18 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Commented KATATONIA's guitarist, Anders Nyström, "Back in the U.S.A...That's right Springsteen! We're looking at round #2 as special guests to our brothers in Opeth on their last North American leg of the Heritage World Tour. This time we'll mainly cover off-territories, so regardless if you caught or missed us last time, consider this a second chance to attend the dead ends of North America with one of the best bills there'll ever be!"

The tour will make two special stops, the first in Worcester, Mass. on April 20 where the band returns to play the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival, then in Clifton Park, N.Y. on April 28 where acclaimed Porcupine Tree front-man Steven Wilson will join for the night. A full list of confirmed dates can be seen below.

Here is the complete itinerary:

4/18 - Buffalo, NY @ The Town Ballroom

4/20 - Worcester, MA @ New England Metal & Hardcore Fest
4/21 - Quebec City, QC @ Capitole
4/23 - Halifax, NS @ Halifax Forum
4/24 - Moncton, NB @ Casino New Brunswick
4/26 - Guelph, ON @ Guelph Concert Theatre
4/27 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
4/28 - Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall *w/ Steven Wilson
4/29 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
4/30 - Norfolk, VA @ NorVa Theatre
5/02 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
5/03 - St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre                 
5/04 - Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
5/05 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
5/06 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
5/08 - Lexington, KY @ Buster's Billiards & Backroom
5/09 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
5/10 - Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
5/11 - Joliet, IL @ Mojoe's
5/12 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
5/14 - Fargo, ND @ The Venue
5/15 - Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's
5/16 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's
5/17 - Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre
5/18 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom
5/20 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
5/21 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
5/23 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre

5/24 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
5/25 - Agoura Hills, CA @ The Canyon Club
5/26 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst

Related links:
Katatonia's Official Site
Official site of Opeth

OPETH Will Be Joining Forces With KATATONIA For A North American Trek!

Yesterday (January 7th), KATATONIA posted the following message regarding an upcoming North American tour:

"Big tour announcement coming this week... Where? North America! When? This spring! With whom? Check back in this week and you'll find out!"

Once again, two of Sweden's finest musical exports: Opeth and Katatonia, will be joining forces again for another North American tour. The pair will be out on the road together this spring as part of "North American Heritage Tour 2013".

Thus far a May 10th date at The Machine Shop in Flint, MI has surfaced. A proper announcement of the tour is expected to be made this week. (via The PRP)

Stay tuned for more the details!

Related links:
Katatonia's Official Site
Official site of Opeth