Bloodstock Open Air 2024 organizers have released the new video below, along with the following message:
“On August 9th, 2024, the legendary Swedish progressive metal band Opeth graced the stage as the highly anticipated headliners of the Bloodstock Open Air Metal Festival at Catton Park, UK. Known for their groundbreaking fusion of death metal, progressive rock, and atmospheric melodies, Opeth delivered an unforgettable night of music that thrilled metalheads from all over the world.
“This video captures their powerful live performance of ‘Ghost of Perdition’, a fan-favorite from their critically acclaimed album Ghost Reveries. The track showcases Opeth’s unique ability to balance ferocious growls, intricate guitar work, and hauntingly beautiful melodies – all delivered with unparalleled musicianship and emotional intensity. Mikael Åkerfeldt’s commanding presence as a frontman, combined with the band’s precision and energy, brought this classic track to life in a way that only Opeth can.
“The crowd at Bloodstock 2024 was mesmerized, headbanging and chanting along as Opeth worked their magic under the night sky. The sheer energy and synergy between the band and the audience made this a defining moment of the festival. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the world of Opeth, this performance is sure to leave a lasting impression.”
Opeth’s 14th studio album, The Last Will And Testament, was officially released on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music / Moderbolaget and is now charting internationally.
The current positions can be found below:
The Last Will And Testament lands at #26 on BraveWords’ BravePicks 2024 Top 30, currently counting down here.
Opeth’s fourteenth album was written by Mikael Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara). The Last Will And Testament was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (Ghost, The Hellacopters), engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (Killing Joke, Robert Plant), and Opeth, with Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of Opeth mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on The Last Will And Testament were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Not one to miss a beat, visual artist Travis Smith returns to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting “photograph” reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s infamous “Overlook Hotel” photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flautist and Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson’s signature notes fly on “§4” and “§7”, he narrates on “§1”, “§2”, “§4”, and “§7”. Joining Anderson, Europe’s Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on “§2”, while Åkerfeldt’s youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in “§1”.
The Last Will A Testament is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of Opeth’s finest material to date. Just as Opeth welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story—this time with growls.
The Last Will And Testament is available worldwide via Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music. Order here.
Album cover by Travis Smith.
The Last Will And Testament tracklisting:
“§1”
“§2”
“§3”
“§4”
“§5”
“§6”
“§7”
“A Story Never Told”
“§4” lyric video:
“§3”:
“§1” (Radio Edit) lyric video:
Track by track video:
After conquering North America this past October, Opeth will embark on a headlining tour throughout Europe and the UK starting February 9 of next year. The full itinerary can be found below. Tickets here.
Tour dates (w/ Grand Magus):
February
9 – Helsinki, Finland – Ice Hall
11 – Stockholm, Sweden – Cirkus
12 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
14 – Copenhagen, Denmark – DR Koncerthuset
15 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks
17 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
18 – Berlin, Germany – Tempodrom
19 – Munich, Germany – Muffathalle
21 – Paris, France – L’Olympia
22 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
23 – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
25 – Bristol, UK – Bristol Beacon
26 – London, UK – Roundhouse
28 – Birmingham, UK – Symphony Hall
March
1 – Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
2 – Glasgow, UK – Barrowland