Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt Has Revealed He’s Heading Into The Studio Later This Year To Record For A New Project

Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt has revealed he’ll head into the studio later this year to record new music for non-Opeth projects.

Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has revealed he’s heading into the studio in May to record for an all-new project separate from the progressive metal group.

Speaking to Blabbermouth, the singer revealed that he’s working on a few new projects later this year, which he hopes will eventually be released.

“I cannot say much, but I have a project that I’m doing in May. Hopefully, it will materialise, but I am doing something in May. That’s going to be fun. Then, I might have some projects as well, like, for me, not for the band. I’m a bit burned out, as you can probably tell. I would really need a break from the band and be regular Mikael, not band Mikael.”

It’s unclear if one of these will become an eventual solo album from the esteemed ‘Ghost of Perdition’ artist. Outside of Opeth, Åkerfeldt has lent his stellar blend of smooth, clean vocals and guttural growls on projects like Ayreon’s The Human Equation in 2004 and Devin Townsend’s track ‘Stand’ from the album Deconstruction.

In 2013, Åkerfeldt would collaborate with longtime producer and Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson on the album Storm Corrosion. The release was a significant departure for both members, trading their progressive metal sound for a haunting take on folk music instead.

While discussing new projects, Åkerfeldt was quick to promise that Opeth are nowhere close to a “farewell” tour.

“Opeth is not going to split up. If we do, we’re going to disappear. It’s not going to be a big hurrah, ‘final tour.’ That’s not going to happen. We’re going to disappear. Honestly, I don’t think we’ll ever stop playing. We love each other, and we love playing together.”

He also hinted at slowing down touring in favour of releasing more music in the future.

“There’s probably going to be less touring. If we do less touring, it will mean more music and more frequent releases. That’s what I really want to do. Maybe, if I feel like, ‘Oh, I think we should do a tour,’ and see if there are people out there who like us, we can do that. First and foremost, I want to spend more time with the creative side of things.”

Given the band’s immaculate return to form with The Last Will And Testament, I won’t complain about new albums from the group. In saying that, Åkerfeldt is such a treat to see live, it would be such a loss to see the man hang up his guitar (and stand-up routine). Regardless, it’s great to see the band feeling revitalised this many years into their career.