Per Joining Full Time?

[RavenousDaemon]

Well, nothing so optional as keys, anyway.

 

[Land Of Grey And Pink]

i highly highly doubt there will be any weird or synthetic sounding keyboard stuff...probably mainly the same sounds hes used already..

melotron
piano
hammond organ

maybe some evil moog in spots or normal strings for atmosphere...i wouldnt worry about dimmu or bal sagoth nonsense though.

 

[Evan84]

Keyboards are cool, but not in Opeth.

 

[Katatonic]

Have you HEARD April Ethereal with Per's evil organ? No? Then shut up

 

[L0bster]

Per rules.

 

[Rose Immortal]

Personally, IF any "synth-sounding" effects were to be used, I think they should definitely be vintage effects, of the 60s and 70s variety. The Mellotron was certainly a good example...I do think some other vintage synths could work well, too. But probably no modern ones as they tend to sound TOO polished and just inappropriate for Opeth. Now, Per could surprise me with something cool I didn't think of, but I suspect the "vintage" route is the most likely and the most appropriate.

 

[Arnold Layne]

Piano = Beautiful
Opeth = Beautiful.

It should be great.

 

[ViCyniC]

But Opeth != Piano.

 

[Dragon-Dreams]

Personally i'm Looking foreward to what they make, change is always good. Otherwise the music stagnates.

 

[ethereallights]

I think it would be interesting to hear if they added an actual cello to some of their heavier stuff. Now that they have a keyboardist they can add things like that. I just hope it doesn't get to the point where it waters down their music, and they probably won't let it get to that point. Per will probably play half and half, half of the song playing, half doing back-up vocals or sitting out.

I think it is something to look forward too. Opeth wont turn into a Dimmu Borgir because they are very guitar driven, which is a great thing because it seems like alot of heavey metal relies on keyboards and synthesizers to create atmospheres and things of that sort. I just hope they don't loose anything that made them great in the past, and they know what they are doing.

 

[Risquit]

Not that it would happen, but as long as the keys didn't reach the excesses of mid-70s prog like Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer---yeechhh!

 

[jaykeegan]

^ I agree. Per being permanent would make playing the keyboard an obligation. Nothing should be forced in Opeth's music.

I honestly do not see how anything is being ''Forced'' into Opeth's music when Mikael Åkerfeldt and the rest of Opeth are the ones who have made the decision themselves for Per Wiberg to become the 5th member of Opeth in the first place.

 

[Draehl]

I honestly do not see how anything is being ''Forced'' into Opeth's music when Mikael Åkerfeldt and the rest of Opeth are the ones who have made the decision themselves for Per Wiberg to become the 5th member of Opeth in the first place.

It's great they are getting a new member. I think we just mean that Mikael might feel obligated to put more keyboard parts in the music(due to having a fulltime keyboard) than he would otherwise. As it is Opeth use exactly how much "extra" sounds in their music as they feel is appropriate. If they have a full time keyboard they might feel more inclined to use keys in parts they wouldn't consider writing them in if Per weren't in the band.

I know I look forward to Per's contributations to the band in songwriting and live work. If they want to go overboard with keys in their live music I'm great with it, but I'd really prefer it(if my opinion even matters) if they not use too much more keyboard produced sounds in their studio work.

 

[Land Of Grey And Pink]

i think it comes down to this:

Mikael is a guitarist...in a metal band...hes written metal so far.

Thats not going to change either, however...

His primary musical interest being progressive/psychadelic music from the 60s and 70s which contains much keyboard and other similar instruments...usually in a creative, melodic and appropriate way. He has the crudentials for knowing whats going to work and what wont...besides, just because its a new element in opeth's music doesnt mean mikael wont know how to incorporate it into the music well....it seems like some of you are underestimating Mikael's songwriting ability.

For the above reasons, if a metal band was going to incorporate keyboards into its sound...it should be Opeth.

 

[Mr Samsara]

All interesting points... but keeping it "Simple".. Doesn't it make sense that Mike has already decided that the direction that he wants to take the band will be well suited to having per in the band, rather than Per magically appearing in the band, forcing Mike to use more keyboards out of obligation? I have to also assume that it was discussed with Peter and the Martins as well. I am excited to hear what effect another breath of fresh creative air will have on the new material.

 

[RjBeals]

It's part of growing up and progressing. Opeth is a grown up band now. I can't wait to hear Per on the new album!!

 

[ATARI]

As long as there are no keyboard solos, it should be fine.

 

[ViCyniC]

It's part of growing up and progressing. Opeth is a grown up band now. I can't wait to hear Per on the new album!!

Because their first two albums reflected their immaturity as a band? Opeth is growing quantitively, not qualitatively. Though the keyboard might add some extra dynamics.

 

[Risquit]

Great post LofGandP.

 

[RavenousDaemon]

Actually Apprentice, they have matured over the years. Even Mikael has said this and it is why they do not play much of their older material. They have just changed too much to be as into it as they once were.