Martin Mendez says rest comes first after The Last Will And Testament’s touring cycle, with conversations about new music still at an early stage.
Opeth plan to take a “pretty long break” after their current Latin American tour, bassist Martin Mendez told Brazil’s 89 A Rádio Rock in an interview transcribed by Blabbermouth.
Mendez described the dates as the final run for The Last Will And Testament, explaining that the band need to recover before turning their attention to new music.
Asked whether the break would involve relaxing or working on another album, he said both were part of the plan. Rest would come first, followed by rebuilding their energy and thinking about new material.
The tour is due to finish in Mexico City on 11 November. The album’s touring cycle included Opeth’s November 2025 show at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre, where the band played ‘§1’ and ‘§7’ alongside older material.
The band had been discussing a change of pace well before this final run. As BLUNT reported in February, Mikael Åkerfeldt wanted less touring and more time for creative work, including projects outside Opeth. Mendez subsequently discussed taking time away after the tour in an October interview with Heavy Mextal.
In a separate interview with IgorMiranda.com.br, published on 31 October, Mendez explained how touring had changed for him. He still enjoyed performing, but having family at home made life on the road different from his twenties and thirties. After two years touring the album, he said he would choose to spend more time at home.
Mendez also said he and Åkerfeldt had discussed possible musical directions, while stressing how unpredictable the results could be once Åkerfeldt began writing.
Those conversations remain at an early stage. Mendez has not specified how long the break will last or set a recording timetable.
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