Opeth have announced a new album titled The Last Will & Testament. In advance of its October 11th, release the Swedish progressive-metal titans have unleashed lead single “§1,” which can be streamed below.
The Last Will & Testament marks Opeth’s first album in five years and 14th overall, following up 2019’s In Cauda Venenum. It will be supported by a previously announced North American tour, which kicks off the same day as the LP’s release, running from October 11th in Milwaukee through October 31st in San Francisco (pick up tickets here).
According to a press release, The Last Will & Testament is a concept album “set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.”
Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt stated, “I love this record. I have to say it (write it). Maybe I’m proud even? There are some familiar ingredients in there I suppose. Most of our music has sprung from the same source, so I guess it’s not much of a shocker if it’s going to sound like ‘us.’ I’m a bit in awe of what we did with The Last Will and Testament. It feels like a dream.”
He continued, “There is some ‘coherence’ and ‘songwriting skills’ I hope, but what do I know? I tend to favor the ‘strange’ over the ‘obvious,’ but I feel like I’m in the minority, and that’s fine. So…fair warning! Don’t expect an instant rush (as per usual), but if you do “get it” (have you got it yet?) right away, that’s ok too!”
Fans of Åkerfeldt’s death metal growls will be pleased to hear them return on “§1” after a period of clean singing on recent releases. The album’s tracks are titled “§1,” “§2,” “§3,” etc., until the eighth and final song, which is called “A Story Never Told.”
The Last Will & Testament also marks the band’s first with new drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, who replaced Martin Axenrot in 2022. “I knew Walt was a great drummer, but I didn’t know how good he was,” enthused Åkerfeldt. “We’re not crappy musicians in this band. We can play. But we sat there at Rockfield Studios, and he just was doing these insane, technical songs in one take.”
In addition to the album, Opeth also announced a European tour set for Winter 2025, running from February 9th in Helsinki through February 23rd in Brussels.
Take a listen to “§1,” and see the album art, tracklist, and tour dates below.
The Last Will & Testament Artwork:
The Last Will & Testament Tracklist:
01. §1
02. §2
03. §3
04. §4
05. §5
06. §6
07. §7
08. A Story Never Told
Opeth 2024-2025 Tour Dates:
10/11 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club
10/12 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater & Ballroom
10/14 – Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
10/15 – Montréal, QC @ L’Olympia
10/16 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium
10/18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
10/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
10/20 – Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
10/22 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
10/23 – New Orleans, LA @ Fillmore New Orleans
10/24 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
10/25 – Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
10/27 – Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
10/29 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
10/30 – Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater
10/31 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
02/09 – Helsinki, FI @ Ice Hall
02/11 – Stockholm, SE @ Cirkus
02/12 – Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene
02/14 – Copenhagen, DK @ DR Koncerthuset
02/15 – Hamburg, DE @ Docks
02/17 – Cologne, DE @ Palladium
02/18 – Berlin, DE @ Tempodrom
02/19 – Munich, DE @ Muffathalle
02/21 – Paris, DR @ L’Olympia
02/22 – Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS Live
02/23 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique