OPETH Win Best Hard Rock & Metal at Swedish Grammis for Critically Acclaimed New Album ‘The Last Will & Testament’
Acclaimed progressive metal legends OPETH have been honoured with the prestigious Best Hard Rock & Metal award at this year’s Swedish Grammis. This achievement marks yet another milestone in the band’s illustrious career, further cementing their legacy as one of Sweden’s most influential and celebrated musical acts.
The award follows the release of ‘The Last Will & Testament’, the band’s fourteenth studio album, which is available now.
Buy/Listen ‘The Last Will & Testament’ HERE
The album, composed by frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, features lyrics co-written with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara) and showcases a masterful blend of Opeth’s signature progressive sound. Stefan Boman(Ghost, The Hellacopters) co-produced the album with Åkerfeldt, while engineering was handled by Boman, Joe Jones(Killing Joke, Robert Plant), and Opeth themselves. Mixing took place at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm, helmed by Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of the band.
Adding to the album’s sonic depth, the string arrangements were orchestrated by Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan), with Stewart also conducting at Angel Studios in London. The album’s haunting cover artwork was created by visual artist Travis Smith, marking his 11th collaboration with the band. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) returned to master the record and cut the vinyl lacquer at Abbey Road Studios in London.
A highlight of ‘The Last Will & Testament’ is the participation of legendary Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson, whose unmistakable flute graces the tracks “§4” and “§7”, while his narration is featured on “§1”, “§2”, “§4”, and “§7”. In addition, Joey Tempest of Europe contributes backing vocals on “§2”, and Mirjam Åkerfeldt, Mikael’s youngest daughter, lends her ethereal voice to “§1”.
From start to finish, ‘The Last Will & Testament’ is a gripping musical journey, representing some of Opeth’s finest material to date. With its evocative storytelling and intricate musicianship, the album continues to push the boundaries of progressive metal. ‘The Last Will & Testament’ is available now. Buy/Listen HERE
“THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT”
More than three decades on from their formation, that Opeth can manage
to surprise is a massive feat. That their music can still be so innovative and exciting is nothing short of astounding.
Metal Hammer – UK
The style is restlessly omnivorous, deftly changeable
between moments of brutal death metals bucolic folk, orchestral segues, power balladry and the head-spinning melodic complexity of 1970s progressive rock.
The Wire – UK
Maybe it’s because he’s growling/roaring again, who knows, but the band are on fire throughout this release
Fireworks – UK
Opeth tell a macabre story through a concept album mastered from start to finish. Wrapped in elegant imagery, The Last Will and Testament is a work that’s right in every way.
Rolling Stone – FR
The Last Will And Testament is not only the album of the year, but OPETH’s definitive ascent to the Olympus.
Rock Hard – DE (Album of the Month)
Opeth has once again stirred together a new remedy against genre simplicity from the ingredients of prog, jazz and krautrock, tinted with a few knife-edge tips of death metal.
Rolling Stone – DE
While maintaining the dark approach of their beginnings, Mikael Akerfeldt’s band have intersected metal, prog and doom exploring intriguing new solutions. (…) So far one of the most important bands in the metal scene.
8/10
Classic Rock – IT
This album seems to be the perfect blend of everything the band has done in the past and yet it is totally another. Sublime!
9/10
Rock Tribune – BE
“The Last Will and Testament” is probably their most complete and fine album of the past 15 years. (…) The songs, the concept and the final result are truly outstanding.
Metal Hammer – DE
Mikael Äkerfeldt can’t quite hide his origins in death metal.
When the growls sound particularly powerful and the guitars are particularly heavy, the beginnings of the Swedish prog rocker flash through the music.
Audio – DE
Opeth once again make it clear that their greatest quality lies in their masterful play with contrasts – which once again works to perfection here.
Visions – DE
“Still one the most relevant metal band on the scene”
4/5
L’Echo – BE
After conquering North America this past October, OPETH will embark on a headlining tour throughout South America, Europe and the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
OPETH Tour Dates 2025:
April 19, 2025 – São Paulo, Brazil – Monsters of Rock
April 23, 2025 – Santiago, Chile – Masters of Rock
April 30, 2025 – Bogotá, Colombia – Monsters of Rock
May 4, 2025 – Mexico City, Mexico – Monsters Tour
June 4 – 7, 2025 – Gdansk, Poland – Mystic Festival
June 4 – 7, 2025 – Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival
June 13 – 15, 2025 – Derby, United Kingdom – Download Festival 2025
June 25, 2025 – Athina, Greece – Rockwave Nights
June 26, 2025 – Thessaloniki, Greece – Rockwave Festival 2025
June 27 – 29, 2025 – Lisboa, Portugal – Evil Live Festival 2025
July 6, 2025 – Sarıyer, Turkey – Headbangers’ Weekend 2025
July 17 – 19, 2025 – Peurunka, Finland – John Smith Rock Festival 2025
July 17 – 19, 2025 – Málaga, Spain – Sun And Thunder Festival 2025
July 30 – Aug. 2, 2025 – Bergen, Norway – Beyond The Gates 2025
Aug. 6 – 9, 2025 – Jaroměř, Czech Republic – Brutal Assault 2025
Aug. 15, 2025 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Dynamo Metal Fest 2025
Sep. 29, 2025 – Hamburg, Germany – Laeiszhalle
Sep. 30, 2025 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
Oct. 1, 2025 – Mannheim, Germany – Congress Center Rosengarten
Oct. 2, 2025 – Zurich, Switzerland – Komplex
Oct. 4, 2025 – Wien, Austria – Vienna Metal Meeting 2025
Oct. 6, 2025 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
Oct. 7, 2025 – Zagreb, Croatia – Tvornica Kulture
Oct. 8, 2025 – Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
Oct. 10, 2025 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Asics Arena
Oct. 11, 2025 – București, Romania – Laminor Arena
Oct. 14, 2025 – Dresden, Germany – Alter Schlachthof
Nov. 14, 2025 – Auckland, New Zealand – The Trusts Arena
Nov. 17, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Opera House
Nov. 18, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Opera House
Nov. 20, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – The Fortitude Music Hall
Nov. 21, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia – Palais Theatre
Nov. 22, 2025 – Adelaide, Australia – Hindley Street Music Hall
Nov. 24, 2025 – Perth, Australia – Astor Theatre
Lineup:
Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars
Fredrik Åkesson – Guitars, backing vocals
Martin Mendez – Bass guitar
Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums and percussion
Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards, backing vocals
Special Guests:
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) – spoken word (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7) // flute (tracks 4, 7)
Joey Tempest (Europe) – backing vocals (track 2)
Mirjam Åkerfeldt – spoken word (track 1)
All Music and Lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt
Lyrical concept by Mikael Åkerfeldt, dramatic consultation by Klara Rönnqvist Fors
Produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt
Co-produced by Opeth and Stefan Boman
Engineered by Stefan Boman, Joe Jones and Opeth
Mixing by Stefan Boman and Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe, Stockholm, Sweden
Mastering and vinyl lacquer cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road studios, London, UK
Artwork by Travis Smith with directions from Mikael Åkerfeldt
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