OPETH Mainman: 'Drip Drip, From Your Sagging Lip!'

OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has issued the following update:

"I spent a few days in London and guys... I've met a few very interesting persons, namely the original line-up of COMUS, one of my all time favourite bands. Me and my friend Stefan Dimle (owner of the Mellotronen store) had dinner with them and I tell ya, it was amazing! Stefan is putting together a fantastic package for an upcoming gig, due to take place in March 2008 on a ferry cruise between Sweden and Finland. COMUS will play on this boat for the first time since 1974! I'm still in shock!

"I had Glenn Goring play 'The Herald' in front of my fucking face! I can't believe it...there's a clip on YouTube [watch the clip below — Ed.] that Stefan posted and I look like a grinning idiot! Wow! I have met Roger Wootton, my hero...the guy who've inspired me a 1000 times and more! I got a miniature boat as a gift from Bobbie Watson, who is probably one of the sweetest person I've ever met. I had Andy Hellaby insist on paying my beer after having slammed a copy of their ultra-rare 7" single on the table before my eyes. I guess you cannot understand my excitement if you're not.....me.

"Later that day I met Pete French, for me legendary for his vocal work in bands like LEAFHOUND (also playing on the boat),ATOMIC ROOSTER and CACTUS. Perfect gentleman and he told some great stories too! As I went to bed, instead of my usual dreams about filthy sex I was dreaming about 7" COMUS singles, LEAFHOUND original LPs and the chance of hearing 'Diana' live! Dreams can come true...sorry for that fucking cliché...really, sorry!

"Anyways, I had to share that with you.

"Also saw DREAM THEATER last night and they were great! Listening to..... 'Songs of Experience' by DAVID AXELROD! Great record!

"Playing 'Bioshock'....great game!

"Melinda [Mikael's three-year-old daughter] is now a big fan of KISS, and me and my wife have to listen to 'Dynasty' maybe 3-4 times a day. I have nothing to do with it, she's just a fan...now, all of a sudden. Anyways, good choice I must say...we bought her a personal vinyl copy of the album so she can listen to it as much as she wants."

As previously reported, OPETH will support DREAM THEATER on the prog-metal giants' next North American tour in April/May 2008. More details will be announced soon.

OPETH will release the "The Roundhouse Tapes" double CD in the U.S. on November 20 via Peaceville Records. The set will be issued in Europe on October 22.

The cover artwork for "The Roundhouse Tapes" has been posted at this location. According to a press release, "The Roundhouse Tapes" contains "a captivating OPETH performance from the Camden Roundhouse, London, UK, on November 9, 2006, and sees the band in scintillating form churning out a selection of classics from their illustrious career. You know what to expect from OPETH: unrivalled composition; seamless progressive dynamics and boundless atmosphere from the mellow to the incredibly heavy, all sealed with the unmistakable vocal presence of mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt."

Commented Åkerfeldt: "The Roundhouse concert will always be a very memorable gig for us for many reasons, but most importantly it caught the band at the peak of the 'Ghost Reveries' tour. I must say we're quite tight after 18 odd months on the road supporting the record. I'm extremely pleased we got it documented and I hope it will please our beloved fans as well. As an extra bonus we've decided to collaborate with one of our past labels for this release, the legendary Peaceville Records. Here's a toast to Hammy and Lisa for helping us back in the day as well as to the new team for preserving this pleasurable memory for today's music lovers as well as for generations to come."

OPETH's "The Roundhouse Tapes" will be released as a high-definition-filmed DVD in early 2008. This will also feature lots of fan interviews, band interviews, soundcheck footage and live photos, along with exclusive menu music written by mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt and keyboardist Per Wiberg.