OPETH Frontman Defends His Anti-'Metalcore' Comments

OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has commented on the negative reaction to the remarks he made to Australia's Time Off magazine about the state of today's metal scene.

In an interview posted at TimeOff.com.au, Åkerfeldt is quoted as saying, "Most of the bands today, I don't really like them. When I grew up it was like heresy to compare KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and whatever you got going with MAIDEN and PRIEST. Especially in America, it seems to be a little trend goin'... it's corporate business. The bands feel manufactured, almost like boy bands with guitars. I don't want my bands to be fucking pretty."

Writing to OPETH's official forum, Åkerfeldt defended his comments, stating, "The quote [published by Time Off magazine] is a bit misleading. I don't particulary like KILLSWITCH but have nothing against them really. All I was saying that I don't see the same quality in them as I do in PRIEST or MAIDEN. Partly because they were innovators and [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE] to me sounds like a rehashed version of what's been going on in Sweden for 16 years or more. Had you lived in Sweden, you'd share my opinion on that I'm pretty sure.

"Then the thing with the boy-band comment...was not addressed to [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE] but an observation of the overall 'nu' or whatever metalcore scene in the U.S. And here I stick to my guns... I will not deny anyone liking these bands and what the fuck would they care what I think is good or bad anyways."

An hour later, Åkerfeldt — who is currently on tour in Australia — returned to the official OPETH forum to address the comments from BLABBERMOUTH.NET visitors regarding the above topic. He wrote, "Wow, just saw the Blabbermouth thing and it really escalated out of control there. All I can say is that the interview has mistakes. For one, I didn't compare [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE] to PRIEST when I was growing up as...well, they weren't around then. Blabber is also out for drama taking that line as the headlining quote.

"I hope people are smart enough to understand that there are U.S. bands that I completely adore...like NEVERMORE and TOOL. I was only talking about the so-called metalcore or nu metal scene and it looks as if I was bashing the whole of the U.S. metal scene.

"We're jealous? OK, whatever...

"Seems a lot of people won't allow me to have or express my taste in music anymore, so I guess I'll have to become a fan of whatever's selling to prove I'm not jealous.

"And I've met the guys in [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE] once and they seemed like nice dudes (not that pretty either),I'd never publicly bash a band that didn't deserve it. And is it an attack . . .by saying PRIEST and MAIDEN mean more to me than [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE]?

"All of you gotta understand that out of the zillion interviews I do, some will take the so called 'good stuff' and put it forward and make me seem like a prick."