Acclaimed progressive metal legends OPETH have been honoured with the prestigious Best Hard Rock & Metal award at this year’s Swedish Grammis. This achievement marks yet another milestone in the band’s illustrious career, further cementing their legacy as one of Sweden’s most influential and celebrated musical acts.

The award follows the release of ‘The Last Will & Testament’, the band’s fourteenth studio album, which is available now.

The album, composed by frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, features lyrics co-written with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara) and showcases a masterful blend of Opeth’s signature progressive sound. Stefan Boman(Ghost, The Hellacopters) co-produced the album with Åkerfeldt, while engineering was handled by Boman, Joe Jones(Killing Joke, Robert Plant), and Opeth themselves. Mixing took place at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm, helmed by Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of the band.

Adding to the album’s sonic depth, the string arrangements were orchestrated by Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan), with Stewart also conducting at Angel Studios in London. The album’s haunting cover artwork was created by visual artist Travis Smith, marking his 11th collaboration with the band. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) returned to master the record and cut the vinyl lacquer at Abbey Road Studios in London.

A highlight of ‘The Last Will & Testament’ is the participation of legendary Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson, whose unmistakable flute graces the tracks “§4” and “§7”, while his narration is featured on “§1”, “§2”, “§4”, and “§7”. In addition, Joey Tempest of Europe contributes backing vocals on “§2”, and Mirjam Åkerfeldt, Mikael’s youngest daughter, lends her ethereal voice to “§1”.

From start to finish, ‘The Last Will & Testament’ is a gripping musical journey, representing some of Opeth’s finest material to date. With its evocative storytelling and intricate musicianship, the album continues to push the boundaries of progressive metal. ‘The Last Will & Testament’ is available now. Buy/Listen HERE

“THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT”

More than three decades on from their formation, that Opeth can manage

to surprise is a massive feat. That their music can still be so innovative and exciting is nothing short of astounding.

Metal Hammer – UK

The style is restlessly omnivorous, deftly changeable

between moments of brutal death metals bucolic folk, orchestral segues, power balladry and the head-spinning melodic complexity of 1970s progressive rock.

The Wire – UK

Maybe it’s because he’s growling/roaring again, who knows, but the band are on fire throughout this release

Fireworks – UK

Opeth tell a macabre story through a concept album mastered from start to finish. Wrapped in elegant imagery, The Last Will and Testament is a work that’s right in every way.

Rolling Stone – FR

The Last Will And Testament is not only the album of the year, but OPETH’s definitive ascent to the Olympus.

Rock Hard – DE (Album of the Month)

Opeth has once again stirred together a new remedy against genre simplicity from the ingredients of prog, jazz and krautrock, tinted with a few knife-edge tips of death metal.

Rolling Stone – DE

While maintaining the dark approach of their beginnings, Mikael Akerfeldt’s band have intersected metal, prog and doom exploring intriguing new solutions. (…) So far one of the most important bands in the metal scene.

8/10

Classic Rock – IT

This album seems to be the perfect blend of everything the band has done in the past and yet it is totally another. Sublime!

9/10

Rock Tribune – BE

“The Last Will and Testament” is probably their most complete and fine album of the past 15 years. (…) The songs, the concept and the final result are truly outstanding.

Metal Hammer – DE

Mikael Äkerfeldt can’t quite hide his origins in death metal.

When the growls sound particularly powerful and the guitars are particularly heavy, the beginnings of the Swedish prog rocker flash through the music.

Audio – DE

Opeth once again make it clear that their greatest quality lies in their masterful play with contrasts – which once again works to perfection here.

Visions – DE

“Still one the most relevant metal band on the scene”

4/5

L’Echo – BE