In depth analysis of Mikael's songwriting and other aspects

It might have been mentioned already, but a lot of Opeth riffs are played in the half-whole diminished scale. This scale alternates half steps and whole steps the whole way up, so in E it would be (E, F, G, Ab, Bb, B, C#, D, [E]). Along the E string in tab this would be like:

E---0--1--3--4--6--7--9--10--12--

Yes that's quite true ===> Just have a look at the most evil and dark sounding parts of Master's Apprentices...
 
Mr. Å shure has writing skills, no doubt, however, I don't belive he's taken lessons in music theory. I belive Opeth songs come out naturally without used piles of sheet paper. I have to say, however, that sometimes (as a player) some of Opeth's riffing goes on without much variation. I guess there could be a bit more going on time to time. Small melody lines would do good.