OPETH RELEASE BAND PERFORMANCE VIDEO FOR ‘§1’

OPETH RELEASE BAND PERFORMANCE VIDEO FOR ‘§1’

“THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT” OUT NOW

APPEARING AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL NEXT FRIDAY

[Photo credit: Terhi Ylimäinen]

2025 Swedish Grammy winners OPETH are pleased to unveil a full-on band performance video for ‘§1.’ The track is taken from their current success album “The Last Will And Testament” (released on November 22, 2024 through Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music), which was highly praised by press and fans alike and saw frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt return to growling vocal territory for the first time in 16 years. Their new material has additionally been warmly welcomed during their ongoing world tour, which is why the video arrives right in time as their touring cycle commences at legendary Sweden Rock Festival today.

Frontman Åkerfeldt states:

“So here we have a video (of sorts) for your ‘enjoyment.’ We had requests left, right and centre to do one of them measly ‘lyric videos’ or ‘visualisers’ for ‘content.’ Now there are three words I despise! I’ve made it clear in our circle of trust that we shouldn’t use the word ‘content’ even if that’s exactly what we’re working on. We’re not some goddamn influencers, now are we? Can we please settle on the old fashioned word ‘video’ without meddling with modern online lingo? And a video is what it really is. A performance video, no less. We figured it’s a bit more happening to look at (should you decide to do so) than a lyric video. ‘§1’ is the opener on “The Last Will And Testament.” A good song. I like it! The video looks good. As good as it can look when involving 5 middle-aged, slightly hungover geezers miming along to something. We shot it in some industrial area in Birmingham (UK) on the latest Euro tour. Everyone (well, the band and crew) were quite eager to get out of there as we had dinner planned at a fancy curry house locally. Much thanks to Ash Pears and ASH TV, who were really professional (ie: quick!) and made the whole experience rather easy on us. Hope you dig it, people!”

Order “The Last Will & Testament” HERE.

Watch the video for ‘§1’ HERE, or click the thumbnail below.

Following OPETH’s live summer run is the second proper European leg of their “The Last Will And Testament” tour before the group embarks on a 9-date journey to Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Dates as follows:

04.06.2025 SE Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock Festival

06.06.2025 PL Gdansk – Mystic Festival

13.06.2025 UK Derby – Download Festival

25.06.2025 GR Athens – Rockwave Festival

26.06.2025 GR Thessaloniki – Rockwave Festival

28.06.2025 PT Lisbon – Evil Live Open Air

04.07.2025 MT St. Julian’s – Malta Metal Weekend *NEW*

06.07.2025 TR Istanbul – Headbangers Weekend

17.07.2025 FI Laukaa – John Smith Rock Festival

19.07.2025 ES Fuengirola – Sun & Thunder Fest

01.08.2025 NO Bergen – Beyond The Gates

09.08.2025 CZ Jaroměř – Brutal Assault

15.08.2025 NL Eindhoven – Dynamo Metalfest

“The Last Will And Testament” – European Tour 2025

w/ Special Guests

29.09.2025 DE Hamburg – Laeiszhalle

30.09.2025 LU Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal

01.10.2025 DE Mannheim – Congress Center Rosengarten

02.10.2025 CH Zurich – Komplex 457

04.10.2025 AT Vienna – Metal Meeting

06.10.2025 IT Milan – Alcatraz

07.10.2025 HR Zagreb – Tvornica Kulture

08.10.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra

10.10.2025 BG Sofia – Asics Arena

11.10.2025 RO Bucharest – Laminor Arena

14.10.2025 DE Dresden – Alter Schlachthof

“The Last Will And Testament” – Australia & New Zealand Tour 2025

14.11.2025 NZ Auckland – The Trusts Arena *UPGRADED*

17.11.2025 AU Sydney – Opera House *SOLD OUT*

18.11.2025 AU Sydney – Opera House **SOLD OUT*

20.11.2025 AU Brisbane – The Fortitude Music Hall

21.11.2025 AU Melbourne – Palais Theatre *LOW TICKETS*

22.11.2025 AU Adelaide – Hindley Street Music Hall

24.11.2025 AU Perth – Astor Theatre *SOLD OUT*

“The Last Will And Testament” – Japan Tour 2025

27.11.2025 JP Tokyo – EX Theater Roppongi *NEW*

29.11.2025 JP Tokyo – EX Theater Roppongi *NEW*

Info and Tickets: https://www.opeth.com/tour-dates.

OPETH’s 14th album was written by 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 the band mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on “The Last Will And Testament” were arranged by Åkerfeldt and 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 flutist and JETHRO TULL leader 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 Last Will And Testament” is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of OPETH’s finest material to date. Just as OPETH welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story – this time with growls we had not heard since the 2008 “Watershed.”

Album cover by Travis Smith

The Last Will & Testament Tracklist:

01 – §1 [WATCH]

02 – §2

03 – §3 [LISTEN]

04 – §4

05 – §5

06 – §6

07 – §7

08 – A Story Never Told

Lineup:

Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars

Fredrik Åkesson – Guitars, backing vocals

Martin Mendez – Bass guitar

Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums and percussion

Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards, backing vocals

About Reigning Phoenix Music

Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme, hard, and heavy music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists, by offering best services and practices in the industry. Most important is to help the artists amplify their art and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, England, headed by experienced industry veteran Paolo d’Alessandro.

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