Opeth began writing their new record last spring and previously promised a "heavy" and "sinister" album, but it's been a few months since the Swedes checked in with an album update.
In the new issue of Decibel Magazine, frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt opens up about how far along the new album writing process is:
"I have about six songs done and another two or three just started," he said, "plus a million ideas that I haven't processed yet. Some songs are simple and stripped-down, while others are epic in the true sense of the word. Business as usual, hopefully with unusual music."
Additionally, thanks to a recent collaboration with Stephen Wilson on the Storm Corrosion project, expect more natural strings on the album:
Some of these things could easily be done with synthetic sounds or effects, but recording the Storm Corrosion LP with Steven Wilson made me realize what a massive difference it can mean to incorporate the real shit. I'm semi-pretentious in my songwriting and sometimes I go all in. I think it's time for 'all in' with strings and the full monty. Hopefully it won't be a mess."
Mikael also spoke of ripping off Italian prog metal band Goblin on a track:
"It's a jam I came up with during the Mastodon/Ghost tour that we ended up soundchecking. After a few days, you'd hear people in the corridors humming it. It's a fucking hit! But basically it's a not-so-subtle headbanging-type nod in Goblin's direction. And to avoid confusion, the song is even called 'Goblin'. My rip-off deteriorates mid-song and becomes fusion-esque darkened prog rock like MAHAVISHNU or ELP (yikes!). But it swings! It really does."
Don't expect Mikael to return to growling though, in 2011 he said he was completely over it later adding that a lot of heavy music is dull to him.
Hopefully, we'll get to hear new music from the band by year's end.
