Opeth started with Mikael Åkerfeldt and Anders Nordin, long-time friends, forming Eruption in 1987. They practiced in a cellar in Sörskogen, playing mostly death metal covers. In 1988, the band became complete, and they started writing their own material. The band never amounted to anything though, except for a few rehearsal tapes. They disbanded in 1990.
After the break-up of Eruption, Mikael met David Isberg, who had a band called Opeth. Isberg wanted Mikael to join as a bass player, which led to an argument with the other band members. They left, and only Mikael and David Isberg were left. They completed the line up with Anders, Nick, and Andreas Dimeo. They played one terrible gig, after wich Nick and Andreas left. They then found Kim Pettersson and Johan DeFarfalla, and started playing more gigs, now more successfully. In 1991, Mikael wrote a song called 'Poise into Celeano' which sound less like the standard death metal they had been playing, and more like the Opeth we know now. Soon after, Kim Pettersson left the band, and Mikael got Peter Lindgren at a second guitarist.
At this time, Mikael became the vocalist, and Anders and he started writing songs. Stefan Guteklint was the bassist for about a year, then was replaced by Johan DeFarfalla just before Opeth received a contract from Candlelight records, and recorded Orchid. Morningrise was recorded in spring of 1996, at which time Opeth began to gain recognition in the metal community.
After months of touring, Mikael and Anders came upon the decision to kick Johan out, as they felt he didn't fit well in the band. Unfortunately, soon after this, Anders called Mikael from Brazil and told Mikael he was moving there. Mikael and Peter searched for drummer for a while, until they found Martin Lopez. Soon after, Lopez' friend Martin Mendez joined the band as a bassist. Lopez' first recording was on 'Remember Tomorrow', though Mendez didn't get to record on My Arms, Your Hearse, due to Mikael and Peter not yet being confident in him. Mikael played bass on My Arms, Your Hearse. After a split from Candlelight records, Opeth decided to sign to Peaceville. The recording of Still Life began in April. This was the first album Martin Mendez played on.
In 2000, Opeth signed to Music For Nations for Blackwater Park. Åkerfeldt met Steve Wilson in London, and asked him to produce the new album. Wilson agreed to. Soon, Opeth went to the studio to record. In 7 weeks, they recorded Blackwater Park with the assistance of Steve Wilson. Opeth gained much popularity from Blackwater Park, and they went on their first headlining tour of Europe. The crowds at their shows kept getting bigger and bigger, and the people loved the band. The band toured for a long time, including many US dates.
After the tour was done, the band got to rest some before starting to write for 'Deliverance' and 'Damnation'. Jonas of Katatonia gave Mikael the idea of the two separate albums, one heavy, and one soft. They recorded the albums, as if it were only one album, not two. It took them the same time as Blackwater Park: 7 weeks. Steve Wilson helped on this album as well.
Music For Nations Records has recently disbanded, leaving Opeth unsigned. |
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