Gday Mikael, how have things been for you lately?
Recently your label Music for Nations closed down, leaving Opeth stranded. How has the search for a new label been, and any ideas who are the most likely contenders to sign with?
Last year Damnation was released, an obvious change of style from more aggressive metal to pure melodious rock. Im aware that this is something of a one-off, and that is wasnt an overall change of style for the band. With this in mind, what did you expect to achieve from this album, and how has the response been?
The live DVD Lamentations: Live at Shepherds Bush Empire was released this year with a live show including both a non-metal set, and a regular metal set. Why did you choose to play the Damnation album in its entirety live?
The DVD also includes a lengthy documentary on the recordings of your last two albums, Deliverance and Damnation. It seems that your producer Steven Wilson played a strong part in those recording sessions, in both creation and production. Will he be contributing as strongly in the next album, or will his role be downplayed?
As was seen in the documentary, you entered the studio before a lot of the material was written. This seemed to cause quite a bit of frustration as you had to somewhat cram the writing process into a smaller timeframe. For the recording of the next album, will you be booking the studio before all the entire album is written, or will you finalise everything beforehand?
During your Damnation and Lamentation tours, you hired keyboardist Per Wiberg of Spiritual Beggars to play live keys. Im quite eager to know; will he become a full time member of Opeth, or just remain a live contributor?
Ive heard youve been having a few ideas for the next album. An epic, occultist, darker album was on your mind last I heard. There was also some mention of Celtic Frost influence, as well as Gregorian Chanting. Have any of these ideas solidified in your song writing yet? How much has been written so far, and in what direction?
Will any of the other members of Opeth be contributing to the material on the new album, or will you be writing all the songs yourself? Have you been rehearsing any new songs with the rest of the band?
Opeths earlier albums contained a lot of dual melodies and acoustic folk parts; something which seems to have been left out on more recent albums. Will these be making a comeback in the next album, or will progression leave this style behind?
Your websites news section says Keep your eyes open for Michail Korge. Who is Mchail Korge?
Will Opeth be doing another world tour in support of the next album? Will you be returning to Australia?
The Ultimate Metal hosted Opeth message hosts a barrage of Opeth fans from all over the world. Ive notice you post there a few times so its apparent that you enjoy visiting the place yourself. There are a few members of the board who had a few questions for you, if you dont mind:
Moonlapse would like to know: How exactly do you 'write' music? Do you normally just sit there with the guitar playing random things until an idea comes about... do you focus on writing a chord progression first... a melody that's been in your head perhaps. I'd like to know how the average Opeth riff and melody come about.
AWMM would like to know: In an interview before the release of Still Life, there was mention of a song being written titled The Willow Tree. Was this song scrapped, or renamed? If it was renamed, which song did it become known as?
AWMM would like to know: Will there be any further happenings with Sorskogen? Will the track Mordet i Grottan ever wind up as a bonus track on any upcoming releases?
Longinus would like to know: What is your favorite Opeth song, lyrically?
Rejvk would like to know: What have you been listening to lately?
Thanks very much for your time Mikael, I hope to see you with Opeth down under some time in 2005. I hope all goes well for you and the band in future.
