Between 1995’s Orchid and 2008’s Watershed, Opeth engaged their fanbase with nine full-length albums that shared some similarities – but also major differences. Consider how much the Swedish band’s discography has influenced a legion of progressive metal, death metal, and usually those bands playing a hybrid style influenced by both. They’re one of the more uncommon bands to where if you asked 50 people their favorite Opeth record, you’d have a more spread out count than you’d think.
It’s also been a long time since any of the band’s popular screamy growly noises appeared in their music. 2008’s Watershed, in fact. Since then, Opeth have opted for almost strictly music that was progressive and decidedly non-death metal by nature. That doesn’t make more recent albums like Pale Communion bad, though – in actuality, just different.
It’s been 16 years, but the screamy yelly death growls are BACK. Mikael Åkerfeldt has heard your pleas, clearly. The band’s new album, The Last Will and Testament, will make an appearance later this year – so the new song is just the first taste of the proceedings.
