Opeth, the Swedish prog-rock icons who released their latest album, “The Last Will And Testament”, on November 22, 2024, have unveiled the official video for the track §7 (Paragraph Seven), which you can check out below.
The band’s 14th studio album came out via Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music.
The new record follows its predecessor “In Cauda Veneum” (2019, RockLine review) after five years, and its release also marks 30 years of the band’s creativity.
You can already order “The Last Will And Testament”.
“The Last Will And Testament” is a concept album. Its story unfolds in the years after World War I and revolves around the last wish of a wealthy, conservative patriarch, which uncovers shocking family secrets.
The album was recorded at Rockfield studio. Opeth tracked it with Stefan Boman. Production was handled by Mikael Åkerfeldt, Opeth and Stefan Boman, who also mixed it. The final mastering was done by Miles Showell at Abbey Road studio.
The album cover was created by Travis Smith.
Below you’ll also find the official promo video for the band’s upcoming new studio album, as well as the confirmed tour dates! The European dates run through February 2025, and the closest Opeth will get to Slovenia is on February 19, 2025, when they play the Bavarian capital, Munich.
Mikael Åkerfeldt lured the illustrious and esteemed flautist and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson into the project. Anderson plays flute on §4 and §7 and handles the narration on §1, §2, §4 and §7. Europe vocalist Joey Tempest adds backing vocals on §2, and Mirjam Åkerfeldt (Åkerfeldt’s younger daughter) contributes additional vocals on §1.
Opeth are:
Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitar
Fredrik Åkesson – guitar, backing vocals
Martin Mendez – bass guitar
Waltteri Väyrynen – drums, percussion
Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, backing vocals
Special guests:
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) – spoken word (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7) & flute (tracks 4 and 7)
Joey Tempest (Europe) – backing vocals (track 2)
Mirjam Åkerfeldt – spoken word (track 1)
– all music and lyrics: Mikael Åkerfeldt
– concept: Mikael Åkerfeldt, in consultation with Klara Rönnqvist Fors
– production: Mikael Åkerfeldt
– co-production: Opeth and Stefan Boman
– engineering: Stefan Boman, Joe Jones and Opeth
– mixing: Stefan Boman, Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
– mastering: Miles Showell at Abbey Road studio (London, United Kingdom)
– string conductor: Dave Stewart at Angel studio (London, United Kingdom)
– string arrangements: Mikael Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart
– Cover art: Travis Smith, based on Mikael Åkerfeldt’s directions
