Acclaimed progressive metal legends, Opeth, have been honored 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 And Testament, the band’s fourteenth studio album, which was officially released on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music / Moderbolaget. Order the album 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 cover artwork can be found below along with the tracklisting.
The Last Will And Testament tracklisting:
“§1”
“§2”
“§3”
“§4”
“§5”
“§6”
“§7”
“A Story Never Told”
“§1” (Radio Edit) lyric video:
“§3”:
“§4” lyric video:
Opeth performs next on April 19 at Monsters of Rock 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil. Find the band’s tour itinerary and ticket links here.
(Photo – Terhi Ylimäinen)
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The award follows the release of The Last Will And Testament, the band’s fourteenth studio album, which was officially released on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music / Moderbolaget. Order the album 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 cover artwork can be found below along with the tracklisting.
The Last Will And Testament tracklisting:
“§1”
“§2”
“§3”
“§4”
“§5”
“§6”
“§7”
“A Story Never Told”
“§1” (Radio Edit) lyric video:
“§3”:
“§4” lyric video:
Opeth performs next on April 19 at Monsters of Rock 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil. Find the band’s tour itinerary and ticket links here.
(Photo – Terhi Ylimäinen)
The post OPETH Wins Best Hard Rock & Metal Award At Swedish Grammis For The Last Will And Testament appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...
