News Latest News from Ultimate-Guitar.Com. en-US Copyright 1998-2026 Ultimate-Guitar.Com. All rights reserved. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=3229 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:18:18 -0400 Mon, 12 Sep 2022 03:00:01 -0400 60 Ultimate-Guitar.Com https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/static/_img/logo_trans.png https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=3229 144 44 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths-mikael-kerfeldt-on-why-the-beatles-were-more-progressive-than-most-modern-prog-it-doesnt-have-to-be-wiggly-guitar-solos https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths-mikael-kerfeldt-on-why-the-beatles-were-more-progressive-than-most-modern-prog-it-doesnt-have-to-be-wiggly-guitar-solos Music News: "I make a difference between the genre and actual progressive music."]]> Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:18:18 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-on-why-he-doesnt-want-a-spotless-legacy-for-opeth-ive-done-some-shtty-things-that-i-dont-like-now https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-on-why-he-doesnt-want-a-spotless-legacy-for-opeth-ive-done-some-shtty-things-that-i-dont-like-now Music News: "I'm not interested in doing, 'Let's do a standard death metal record!' It's fun and all, but does the world need that?""]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:02:03 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-says-ex-label-name-sounded-silly-so-they-started-their-own-reveals-how-much-of-opeths-music-he-writes https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-says-ex-label-name-sounded-silly-so-they-started-their-own-reveals-how-much-of-opeths-music-he-writes Music News: "Maybe that could be my retirement plan. Be a record boss, mogul, buy a suit, and smoke cigars."]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:02:02 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/progressive-music-has-become-a-bit-regressive--opeths-mikael-kerfeldt-on-why-prog-label-is-meaningless-despite-popularity https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/progressive-music-has-become-a-bit-regressive--opeths-mikael-kerfeldt-on-why-prog-label-is-meaningless-despite-popularity Music News: "It's become less and less important to be labeled progressive because I don't know what it means anymore."]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:42:27 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/20-years-ago-this-band-faced-its-biggest-challenge-yet-so-they-made-one-of-the-greatest-metal-albums-in-history-180974 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/20-years-ago-this-band-faced-its-biggest-challenge-yet-so-they-made-one-of-the-greatest-metal-albums-in-history-180974 Features: "It was just chaotic. I felt completely alone, and I felt weight on my shoulders, like, 'If I don't make this happen, it's just going to fall to pieces and there won't be anything coming out.'"]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 23:30:53 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/he-likes-to-put-us-on-the-edge-fredrik-kesson-reveals-what-its-really-like-to-play-in-opeth-explains-why-new-songs-were-so-hard-to-learn https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/he-likes-to-put-us-on-the-edge-fredrik-kesson-reveals-what-its-really-like-to-play-in-opeth-explains-why-new-songs-were-so-hard-to-learn Music News: "I think now, when you have them in your muscle memory because we rehearse them so much, it's, 'Let's do another one.' In the beginning, it was tricky."]]> Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:22:26 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-could-dwell-upon-a-solo-for-a-week-opeths-fredrik-kesson-opens-up-on-what-most-guitarists-dont-get-about-writing-solos-explains-how-he-does-it https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-could-dwell-upon-a-solo-for-a-week-opeths-fredrik-kesson-opens-up-on-what-most-guitarists-dont-get-about-writing-solos-explains-how-he-does-it Music News: "I like to look at it as a little tiny composition within the song."]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:44:31 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-think-he-was-joking-opeths-fredrik-kesson-reveals-one-thing-yngwie-malmsteen-told-him-when-they-met https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-think-he-was-joking-opeths-fredrik-kesson-reveals-one-thing-yngwie-malmsteen-told-him-when-they-met Music News: "Back in those days, playing guitar was really big. Maybe it still is, to a certain extent."]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:24:26 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-reveals-why-steven-wilson-no-longer-produces-opeths-albums-explains-ghost-reveries-was-chaotic https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-reveals-why-steven-wilson-no-longer-produces-opeths-albums-explains-ghost-reveries-was-chaotic Music News: "I felt completely alone and I felt weight on my shoulders, like, 'If I don't make this happen, it's just going to fall to pieces and there won't be anything coming out.'"]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2025 21:02:05 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-names-horrible-cover-opeth-did-its-not-very-good https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-names-horrible-cover-opeth-did-its-not-very-good Music News: "It was shit. The singing's shit, the playing's shit."]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:02:01 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/someone-told-us-that-it-was-haunted-opeths-mikael-kerfeldt-speaks-on-playing-kurt-cobains-guitar https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/someone-told-us-that-it-was-haunted-opeths-mikael-kerfeldt-speaks-on-playing-kurt-cobains-guitar Gear: "Someone told us that guitar was haunted like people who had that guitar had accidents."]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2025 01:00:03 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeth-guitarist-speaks-up-on-challenges-of-music-transcription-recalls-completely-wrong-guitar-tab-books https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeth-guitarist-speaks-up-on-challenges-of-music-transcription-recalls-completely-wrong-guitar-tab-books Music News: "Way back when you were trying to figure stuff out, you set a little cassette tape and tried to slow it down."]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:41:56 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-names-opeth-song-nobody-really-likes-apart-from-steven-wilson https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-names-opeth-song-nobody-really-likes-apart-from-steven-wilson Music News: "I think it's quite beautiful. It's not heavy in terms of metal, but it's heavy in a different way."]]> Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:15:51 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-names-opeths-worst-tune-its-such-a-tired-song-its-not-good https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-kerfeldt-names-opeths-worst-tune-its-such-a-tired-song-its-not-good Music News: "We played it live a couple of times, and it was surprisingly fun to play live. But it's not fun to listen to, I think."]]> Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:01:12 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/how-ian-anderson-of-jethro-tull-left-opeths-fredrik-kesson-in-awe-during-their-collaboration https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/how-ian-anderson-of-jethro-tull-left-opeths-fredrik-kesson-in-awe-during-their-collaboration Music News: "He was actually asking, 'Do you guys need a flute solo?' and what do you say? 'Yes, please.'"]]> Fri, 03 Jan 2025 18:15:20 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-seemed-to-think-its-fun-again-to-do-it-fredrik-kesson-opens-up-on-opeths-decision-to-bring-back-growling-on-newest-album-explains-why-its-not-a-gimmick https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael-seemed-to-think-its-fun-again-to-do-it-fredrik-kesson-opens-up-on-opeths-decision-to-bring-back-growling-on-newest-album-explains-why-its-not-a-gimmick Music News: "He was commenting on his own ability in that element of his singing. Like, 'Wow, that was really guttural this night,' and stuff like that."]]> Sat, 28 Dec 2024 20:11:45 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/artistic-integrity-doesnt-matter-explains-mikael-akerfeldt-heres-whats-really-important-for-a-performing-band https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/artistic-integrity-doesnt-matter-explains-mikael-akerfeldt-heres-whats-really-important-for-a-performing-band Music News: "*** my integrity."]]> Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:20:34 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths-fredrik-kesson-shares-honest-opinion-on-gary-moore-names-one-important-thing-he-learned-from-the-blues-legend https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths-fredrik-kesson-shares-honest-opinion-on-gary-moore-names-one-important-thing-he-learned-from-the-blues-legend Music News: "Every tone you play should be like the last tone you play in life."]]> Sun, 08 Dec 2024 14:31:55 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_kerfeldt_names_one_key_issue_with_modern_metal_it_just_doesnt_sound_right_to_me.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_kerfeldt_names_one_key_issue_with_modern_metal_it_just_doesnt_sound_right_to_me.html Music News: "[That] is why I am not necessarily crazy about modern metal records."]]> Fri, 15 Nov 2024 02:39:33 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/mikael_kerfeldt_names_guitar_that_he_thinks_is_ugly_explains_why_he_played_it_on_new_opeth_album.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/mikael_kerfeldt_names_guitar_that_he_thinks_is_ugly_explains_why_he_played_it_on_new_opeth_album.html Gear: "I wouldn't normally be caught dead with one because I think they're *** ugly!"]]> Sun, 03 Nov 2024 15:57:57 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_kerfeldt_explains_why_he_quit_growling_for_a_long_time_the_music_just_didnt_call_for_it.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_kerfeldt_explains_why_he_quit_growling_for_a_long_time_the_music_just_didnt_call_for_it.html Music News: "There was no purpose of including that type of vocals."]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2024 16:37:04 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/its_a_bit_annoying_mikael_kerfeldt_speaks_up_on_fans_reacting_to_him_growling_again_on_opeth_songs.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/its_a_bit_annoying_mikael_kerfeldt_speaks_up_on_fans_reacting_to_him_growling_again_on_opeth_songs.html Music News: "I almost feel like I want to troll, just do a shit record, like, really shit, obvious shit with great screams, and see what they think."]]> Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:08:08 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael_kerfeldt_recalls_why_his_parents_werent_happy_about_his_career_choice_reveals_what_they_thought_of_death_metal_growling.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael_kerfeldt_recalls_why_his_parents_werent_happy_about_his_career_choice_reveals_what_they_thought_of_death_metal_growling.html Music News: "They weren't particularly proud."]]> Sun, 18 Aug 2024 19:51:13 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_akerfeldt_reveals_ronnie_james_dios_pre-show_warmup_advice_i_was_like_okay_maybe_that_works.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_akerfeldt_reveals_ronnie_james_dios_pre-show_warmup_advice_i_was_like_okay_maybe_that_works.html Music News: "I just sing in toilets, like all the other singers, try to find some privacy and warm up the voice."]]> Tue, 13 Aug 2024 23:18:03 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeth_brings_back_growling_on_new_single_announces_new_album_and_tour.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeth_brings_back_growling_on_new_single_announces_new_album_and_tour.html Music News: "The Last Will And Testament" will be out on October 11th.]]> Mon, 05 Aug 2024 14:52:29 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_kerfeldt_reveals_why_he_likes_to_write_stupid_riffs_names_song_that_he_wrote_to_irritate_fans.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_kerfeldt_reveals_why_he_likes_to_write_stupid_riffs_names_song_that_he_wrote_to_irritate_fans.html Music News: "Oh, it's, it's that *** shit again. Turn it off."]]> Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:52:54 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael_kerfeldt_names_his_guitar_idol_and_how_he_influenced_iconic_opeth_song.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael_kerfeldt_names_his_guitar_idol_and_how_he_influenced_iconic_opeth_song.html Music News: "Andy Latimer was one of my idols at the time, and still is. It's a sound I almost tried to copy."]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 10:43:55 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael_kerfeldt_names_one_opeth_album_thats_a_bit_pretentious.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mikael_kerfeldt_names_one_opeth_album_thats_a_bit_pretentious.html Music News: "We also planned our eventual world domination in the live circuit."]]> Sun, 11 Jun 2023 23:37:00 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_opeth_perform_first_live_show_with_new_drummer_waltteri_vyrynen.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_opeth_perform_first_live_show_with_new_drummer_waltteri_vyrynen.html Music News: The band played a gig in Tallinn, Estonia.]]> Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:00:02 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeth_recruit_new_drummer_waltteri_vyrynen.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeth_recruit_new_drummer_waltteri_vyrynen.html Music News: "We just had our first rehearsal with Walt yesterday and it went incredibly well!"]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2022 03:00:01 -0400