OPETH Mainman MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT: 'We Still Mean Business'

OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has issued the following update:

"'The Roundhouse Tapes' is coming along nicely, both the CD version and the DVD. We're working on the artwork right now and as usual it takes time. I think the CD is supposed to be out in October sometime and the DVD early next year as far as I know. I hope it's going to be worth the wait.

"Writing is coming along nicely. I have around five tracks ready, or semi-ready. I think it sounds darker than ever before (not saying this to 'sell' the record, I think it really is darker) and more versatile. I have a new ProTools rig that I use to record my demos and it really helped. Everything's faster whereas before it was literally impossible for me to demo entire songs. I have loads of material that I have yet to demo and I've also gotten stuff from Per [Wiberg, keyboards], Mendez [Martin Mendez, bass] and Fredrik [Åkesson, guitar].

"At this point I know that it's going to be a very good record, at least for my taste. There's a sense of confidence in me that I've never really felt before, and I have no idea where it's coming from. I might confuse 'confidence' with 'inspiration' but basically everytime I sit down and play, I come up with something.

"The plan for us at this point is to start rehearsing in October and record in Novemeber. We haven't talked about producers yet, I'm not sure what I want to do. I've talked with Steven Wilson [PORCUPINE TREE] but we'll see. We might do it on our own as we did the last time. We are going back into Fascination Street [in Örebro, Sweden] that's for sure...great studio! Everyone in the band is pretty psyched about this. We feel a little bit like 'underdogs' with everything that's happened, yet I hope the quality of the music will clear all doubts. We still mean business..."

As previously reported, 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.

The cover artwork for OPETH's upcoming "The Roundhouse Tapes" double CD has been posted at this location. Due on October 22 via Peaceville, "'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," according to a press release. "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."

"The Roundhouse Tapes" tracklisting:

CD1:

01. When
02. Ghost Of Perdition
03. Under The Weeping Moon
04. Bleak
05. Face Of Melinda
06. The Night And The Silent Water

CD2:

01. Windowpane
02. Blackwater Park
03. Demon of the Fall