"The Last Will and Testament" is a kind of concept album. A restless musical journey that in a way reflects my own relationship to music as a consumer," says band leader Mikael Åkerfeldt. "I record something here and throw something away there. I love music and hate it at the same time. This ambivalence leads me down my own creative path, and suddenly a collection of songs emerges. At best, these songs are good enough to impress the band. Good enough for the "powers that be" in the industry. Good enough for "you"? I love this record. I have to say it (write it). Maybe I'm even proud of it? I suppose there are some familiar ingredients. Most of our music comes from the same source, so it's no surprise that it sounds like "us". I'm a bit impressed with what we've done with "The Last Will and Testament". It's like a dream. I hope there's some "coherence" and "songwriting ability", but what do I know? I tend to favour the "weird" over the "obvious", but I feel like I'm in the minority, and that's a good thing. So... fair warning! Don't expect an instant rush (as usual), but if you "get it" right away (have you gotten it yet?), that's fine too!  

Making his recorded debut alongside OPETH's long-established lineup of Mikael Åkerfeldt, guitarist Fredrik Åkesson, bassist Martin Mendez and keyboard maestro Joakim Svalberg on "The Last Will And Testament" is new drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, who joined the band in 2022. Åkerfeldt is eager to commend his new comrade's immense drumming abilities, while observing that recording drums for the new album was a virtually stress-free process.

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08. A Story Never Told