OPETH Announces Long Break After Latin American Tour

OPETH has confirmed a lengthy break following its Latin American tour, which concluded on November 11 in Mexico City. The band will not release new music during this period, as bassist Martin Mendez stated that the group will first take time to relax before considering future projects. The tour, which began on November 1 in Santiago, Chile, featured a full-length performance, marking the final run of the band's album 'The Last Will And Testament'.

The album, released in November 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music/Moderbolaget, was written by vocalist and guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt with lyrics contributed by Klara Rönnqvist Fors of THE HEARD. It was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman, engineered by Boman, Joe Jones, and OPETH members, and mixed at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. Strings were arranged by Åkerfeldt with Dave Stewart of EGG and KHAN, conducted at Angel Studios in London.

The album features guest appearances by JETHRO TULL's Ian Anderson, who performs on '§4' and '§7' and narrates on '§1', '§2', '§4', and '§7'. EUROPE's Joey Tempest provides backing vocals on '§2', while Mirjam Åkerfeldt, Mikael Åkerfeldt's daughter, contributes a disembodied voice on '§1'. New drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, who joined the band in 2022, made his recorded debut on the album.

Visual artist Travis Smith created an 11th cover for the LP, styled as a haunting image reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's 'Overlook Hotel'. Miles Showell, known for his work with ABBA and QUEEN, handled mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.