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http://www.hardradio.com/hr3lead.html
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Opeth interview
- Thread starter SpeakUSAorDie
- Start date
Taken from HardRadio.com
After listening to the latest release from Opeth entitled "Blackwater Park," I can't help but say that the CD just put me in a mezmoried state. I don't think I have put on a CD lately that has kept me listening to the guitar workings and time changes as much as this album has. Opeth, (meaning "City of the Moon") released their fifth album "Blackwater Park" March 13, with the CD receiving rave reviews. The band has embarked on an American tour, and we got a chance to speak to Peter Lindgren about the new album and here's what he had to say.
-
How long did it take you to record "Blackwater Park" exactly from start to end?
It took about two months to get the whole thing done. We entered the studio in late August 2000 and left in the beginning of October 2000, so I think a total of seven weeks.
Did anything come up in the recording process that was unexpected?
Yes, we always record with only the basic song structure written. We leave loads of space to experiment, so when we enter the studio we don't know how the song is going to turn out. We spent 10 to 12 days just experimenting with the lead vocals. No vocal lines were written ... no lyrics or anything. The whole album was a surprise to me as well. It's always like that when we record. After we had figured everything out, it only took us 12 days to record the album.
My favorite songs off "Blackwater Park" were "Harvest" and "The Drapery Falls." Do you have a favorite off of this album?
Yes, but it changes all the time. My first favorite was "Bleak" then it was "The Drapery Falls." Now I think it's the title track "Blackwater Park". Tomorrow or next week it could be something else. I like all the songs and I think I can speak for everyone in the band when I say that we're all very pleased with this album and all our previous albums. I don't think we would change a thing.
"Blackwater Park" was released in March. Have you had any word on how the album is doing?
I think it has sold around 50,000 copies. The reception has been excellent. This album has been doing great and we are having a great time.
How did the deal with Koch Records come about?
Our record label is Music for Nations in England. Our American label is Koch Records. We actually have two labels and offices.
If people wanted to get your first four albums, where could they get them?
I'm not sure exactly. We had tons of problems releasing them. I think they have some reissues from Candlelight or Century Media. I'm not sure about America; I just know Europe really.
Since Opeth has gone through so many lineup changes, do you find that the music has taken an angle that you never would have guessed?
Yes, and no. I took us a while to figure out the musical identity of the band. We just kind of wrote songs for about three years. Then when we recorded our first album, it all came together we knew we wanted long songs with lots of changes. We have two new members in the group now and you can hear a clear difference. I think the lineup we have now is the best it's ever been.
"Blackwater Park" has eight songs with a total of 67 minutes. Do you get confused at all in remembering all the parts to the songs?
Yes, we do. After we did the album in the studio if you would of come up to me and asked me to play the songs from memory, I probably couldn't have. There are quite a few changes in our songs and we have to rehearse a lot before we play live. It doesn't take us long to get back in the flow. Our normal set is 60 minutes and we have probably 60 changes in every song. It gets confusing, but it's always in the back of our heads on what comes next.
How was your experience playing the Milwaukee Metalfest back in 2000, since this was your first American appearance?
That was one of the most inspiring things we have ever done. We have received quite a lot of E-mail from the United States but that didn't prepare us for the response we received at the Metalfest in Milwaukee. The circumstance on that show was awful. We weren't allowed to bring our equipment, so we had to borrow some guitars and other stuff. When we got up on stage people were yelling and screaming and we actually had to quite them down so we could start playing. I was shocked at actually how good the gig went with how bad the circumstances where.
People have tried to label your music progressive/death metal/thrash/underground. If you had to put a label on it, what would you say it is?
People have been asking me that question forever. I would have to say we are an extreme progressive death metal band. We change all the time. People use the term progressive in so many different ways. I use it as meaning evolving. That's what we are doing ... we are evolving all the time.
You have been playing North America for the last month. What has been the people's reaction to your music?
It's excellent and far better than we every expected. After the Milwaukee Metalfest, we knew we had a fan base here but it seems to be better than we first thought. People here in the States go mental at our shows and it's great. I'm having a great time!
Do you like any new metal bands?
You know, it's really hard to keep up with today's metal scene. I look in so many different directions when I look at music. There are so many other types of music that are really good. I'm into all these obscure 70's bands that have singer songwriters. I try to keep up to date with today's death metal scene but there are so many bands that it gets confusing. We are friends with a lot of Swedish bands that I could mention. One of my favorite bands is Katonia. They are this black metal band that are real original. I think they are going to be the next best thing.
After listening to the latest release from Opeth entitled "Blackwater Park," I can't help but say that the CD just put me in a mezmoried state. I don't think I have put on a CD lately that has kept me listening to the guitar workings and time changes as much as this album has. Opeth, (meaning "City of the Moon") released their fifth album "Blackwater Park" March 13, with the CD receiving rave reviews. The band has embarked on an American tour, and we got a chance to speak to Peter Lindgren about the new album and here's what he had to say.
-
How long did it take you to record "Blackwater Park" exactly from start to end?
It took about two months to get the whole thing done. We entered the studio in late August 2000 and left in the beginning of October 2000, so I think a total of seven weeks.
Did anything come up in the recording process that was unexpected?
Yes, we always record with only the basic song structure written. We leave loads of space to experiment, so when we enter the studio we don't know how the song is going to turn out. We spent 10 to 12 days just experimenting with the lead vocals. No vocal lines were written ... no lyrics or anything. The whole album was a surprise to me as well. It's always like that when we record. After we had figured everything out, it only took us 12 days to record the album.
My favorite songs off "Blackwater Park" were "Harvest" and "The Drapery Falls." Do you have a favorite off of this album?
Yes, but it changes all the time. My first favorite was "Bleak" then it was "The Drapery Falls." Now I think it's the title track "Blackwater Park". Tomorrow or next week it could be something else. I like all the songs and I think I can speak for everyone in the band when I say that we're all very pleased with this album and all our previous albums. I don't think we would change a thing.
"Blackwater Park" was released in March. Have you had any word on how the album is doing?
I think it has sold around 50,000 copies. The reception has been excellent. This album has been doing great and we are having a great time.
How did the deal with Koch Records come about?
Our record label is Music for Nations in England. Our American label is Koch Records. We actually have two labels and offices.
If people wanted to get your first four albums, where could they get them?
I'm not sure exactly. We had tons of problems releasing them. I think they have some reissues from Candlelight or Century Media. I'm not sure about America; I just know Europe really.
Since Opeth has gone through so many lineup changes, do you find that the music has taken an angle that you never would have guessed?
Yes, and no. I took us a while to figure out the musical identity of the band. We just kind of wrote songs for about three years. Then when we recorded our first album, it all came together we knew we wanted long songs with lots of changes. We have two new members in the group now and you can hear a clear difference. I think the lineup we have now is the best it's ever been.
"Blackwater Park" has eight songs with a total of 67 minutes. Do you get confused at all in remembering all the parts to the songs?
Yes, we do. After we did the album in the studio if you would of come up to me and asked me to play the songs from memory, I probably couldn't have. There are quite a few changes in our songs and we have to rehearse a lot before we play live. It doesn't take us long to get back in the flow. Our normal set is 60 minutes and we have probably 60 changes in every song. It gets confusing, but it's always in the back of our heads on what comes next.
How was your experience playing the Milwaukee Metalfest back in 2000, since this was your first American appearance?
That was one of the most inspiring things we have ever done. We have received quite a lot of E-mail from the United States but that didn't prepare us for the response we received at the Metalfest in Milwaukee. The circumstance on that show was awful. We weren't allowed to bring our equipment, so we had to borrow some guitars and other stuff. When we got up on stage people were yelling and screaming and we actually had to quite them down so we could start playing. I was shocked at actually how good the gig went with how bad the circumstances where.
People have tried to label your music progressive/death metal/thrash/underground. If you had to put a label on it, what would you say it is?
People have been asking me that question forever. I would have to say we are an extreme progressive death metal band. We change all the time. People use the term progressive in so many different ways. I use it as meaning evolving. That's what we are doing ... we are evolving all the time.
You have been playing North America for the last month. What has been the people's reaction to your music?
It's excellent and far better than we every expected. After the Milwaukee Metalfest, we knew we had a fan base here but it seems to be better than we first thought. People here in the States go mental at our shows and it's great. I'm having a great time!
Do you like any new metal bands?
You know, it's really hard to keep up with today's metal scene. I look in so many different directions when I look at music. There are so many other types of music that are really good. I'm into all these obscure 70's bands that have singer songwriters. I try to keep up to date with today's death metal scene but there are so many bands that it gets confusing. We are friends with a lot of Swedish bands that I could mention. One of my favorite bands is Katonia. They are this black metal band that are real original. I think they are going to be the next best thing.
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