Description

Since forming in the tiny Stockholm suburb of Bandhagen in 1990, Opeth have eclipsed convention, defiantly crushed the odds and, most importantly, crafted twelve stunningly beautiful, intrinsically intense albums to become one of the best bands on the planet; whether live or on record.

Opeths new album, Sorceress, their first for Nuclear Blast via the bands Moderbolaget Records label, is proof that chief architect Mikael Åkerfeldt has a near-endless well of greatness inside. From the albums opener Persephone to The Wilde Flowers and Strange Brew to the albums counterpart title tracks Sorceress and Sorceress 2, Opeths twelfth full length is an unparalleled adventure, where visions cleverly and secretly change, colours mute as if weathered by time and sounds challenge profoundly. Sorceress is, by definition, moored in Åkerfeldts impressive record collection his one true vice but, as always, theres more invention than appropriation at play.

In 1995 Orchid reset the rules of death metal. Six years later, Blackwater Park hit the high note for musicality in a genre generally devoid of it. In 2014, Pale Communion officially bridged the progressive music gap by twisting the intrepid sounds of the 60s, 70s and 80s into contemporary brilliance. ? For Sorceress, Opeth returned to Rockfield Studios in Wales, where the Swedes had tracked Pale Communion in 2014 with Tom Dalgety. The experience was so positive and historical the countryside studio was also home to pivotal Budgie, Queen, Rush, Judas Priest and Mike Oldfield recordings that there really was no other option for Opeth and crew. Åkerfeldt and bassist Martín Méndez, drummer Martin Axenrot, guitarist Fredrik Åkesson and keyboardist Joakim Svalberg have been together since 2011s Heritage was completed and according to Åkerfeldt hes not been in a better band situation before. Not since Orchid. Not since Still Life. Not since Ghost Reveries: Its the best band situation Ive ever had. Fans will look at our eras and have their favourite line-up, but this is the best. Even the happiest days of the first and second line-ups arent comparable to what I have now. We never fight. Its like a good work team. We know each other professionally and personally. As much as were a band, were also friends. We hang out when were not doing Opeth.

Heavyweight double LP in gatefold sleeve with two bonus tracks.