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Band Timeline
1990
Formation of Opeth in Stockholm, Sweden
Opeth was formed in April 1990 by David Isberg in Stockholm, Sweden. Initially conceived as a death metal band, the group took its name from a fictional city in the novel The Sunbird. Early band tensions led to most members departing, leaving Isberg and bassist Mikael Åkerfeldt, who would soon take over vocal duties. The band went through multiple lineup changes in its formative years, setting the foundation for its evolving musical direction.
1995
Release of debut album Orchid
Opeth released their debut album Orchid in 1995 after signing with Candlelight Records. At this time, the band's sound began incorporating acoustic passages and melodic elements amidst its death metal roots, spearheaded by Mikael Åkerfeldt's growth as the lead vocalist and songwriter. The original lineup had changed completely by this point, with key members like Peter Lindgren on guitar contributing to shaping their early sound. Orchid marked the band's emergence onto the international metal scene.
1996-1998
Early albums Morningrise and My Arms, Your Hearse and lineup stabilizations
Following Orchid, Opeth released Morningrise in 1996 and My Arms, Your Hearse in 1998. These albums further showcased their blend of death metal with progressive and acoustic elements, gaining critical acclaim. The band solidified its lineup with Martin Lopez on drums and Martín Méndez on bass. However, bassist Martín Méndez joined too late to record My Arms, Your Hearse, with Åkerfeldt performing bass in the studio. This period cemented their signature style of dynamic compositions combining heaviness and melody.
2001
International breakthrough with Blackwater Park
Opeth's 2001 album Blackwater Park marked their breakthrough on the global metal stage. Produced by Steven Wilson, the album successfully balanced progressive rock complexity with death metal intensity. Following this release, Opeth embarked on their first world tour, significantly increasing their exposure and fanbase. This period saw the band regularly touring internationally, expanding their influence beyond the underground metal scene.
2003-2005
Musical evolution and Ghost Reveries success
In 2003, Opeth released Damnation, showcasing a softer, progressive rock direction with heavy use of keyboards. By 2005's Ghost Reveries, they had fully integrated progressive elements, including keyboards with Per Wiberg becoming an official member. Ghost Reveries achieved chart success in several countries, becoming their first album to reach the Top Ten in Sweden. Drummer Martin Lopez left due to health issues during this time, replaced by Martin "Axe" Axenrot.
2008
Watershed album tops charts
Opeth's ninth studio album Watershed was released in 2008, topping the Finnish album charts and reaching number 23 on the US Billboard 200. Watershed continued their progressive metal blend, and its chart success marked a peak in mainstream recognition. This album was the last to feature Martin Lopez on drums, as his health issues led to a permanent replacement following the release cycle.
2011-2012
Lineup changes and stable new formation
After years of changes, Opeth's lineup stabilized with the addition of guitarist Fredrik Åkesson, keyboardist Joakim Svalberg, and drummer Martin Axenrot. Per Wiberg left in 2011, replaced by Svalberg, while longtime guitarist Peter Lindgren departed in 2007. This lineup would remain stable for about a decade, supporting multiple album releases and extensive touring around the world.
2021-2022
Drummer change and continued global presence
In late 2021, long-time drummer Martin Axenrot left Opeth due to a conflict of interest. He was temporarily replaced on tour by Sami Karppinen, and later by Waltteri Väyrynen, formerly of Paradise Lost, as a full-time member in 2022. Despite these changes, Opeth continued to maintain a strong presence with live performances and work on new material, evolving their sound while respecting their progressive metal roots.
2024
Release of 14th studio album The Last Will and Testament and critical acclaim
Opeth released their 14th studio album, The Last Will and Testament, in 2024. This album received critical acclaim and won the Swedish Grammis award for Best Hard Rock/Metal category. The release illustrates Opeth's continued relevance in the progressive metal scene over three decades after their formation, showcasing their evolution in style, musicianship, and compositional depth while maintaining their distinctive blend of heaviness and melody.
Albums
Orchid
7 tracks
1995
Morningrise
5 tracks
1996
My Arms, Your Hearse
9 tracks
1998
Still Life
7 tracks
1999
Blackwater Park
8 tracks
2001
Deliverance
6 tracks
2002
Damnation
8 tracks
2003
Ghost Reveries
8 tracks
2005
Watershed
8 tracks
2008
Heritage
10 tracks
2011
Pale Communion
8 tracks
2014
Sorceress
7 tracks
2016
In Cauda Venenum
10 tracks
2019
The Last Will and Testament
8 tracks
2024
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Members
Current
Name
Begin
Occupation
Martín Méndez
1997
Bass guitar
Mikael Åkerfeldt
1990
Guitar
Bass guitar
Lead vocals
Martin Axenrot
2006
Percussion
Membranophone
Joakim Svalberg
2011
Synthesizer
Background vocals
Keyboard
Percussion
Fredrik Åkesson
2007
Guitar
History
Name
Begin
End
Occupation
Anders Nordin
1990
1997
Membranophone
Kim Pettersson
1991
1991
Guitar
Martin Persson
1990
1990
Bass guitar
Andreas Dimeo
1990
1991
Guitar
Johan De Farfalla
1995
1997
Bass guitar
Background vocals
Per Wiberg
2005
2011
Background vocals
Keyboard
Mellotron
Nick Döring
1990
1991
Bass guitar
Rille Even
1990
1990
Membranophone
Gene Hoglan
2004
2005
Drums (drum set)
Additional
Mattias Ander
1991
1991
Bass guitar
Micke Bargstörm
1990
1990
Guitar
Martin Lopez
1997
2006
Membranophone
Johan De Farfalla
1991
1991
Background vocals
Bass guitar
David Isberg
1990
1992
Lead vocals
Dan Nilsson
1990
1990
Guitar
Stefan Guteklint
1991
1994
Bass guitar
Peter Lindgren
1991
2007
Bass guitar
Guitar
Story of Opeth
Opeth, the seminal Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, emerged in 1990. Their sound is a masterful blend of progressive metal, death metal (particularly prominent in their early work), folk, blues, classical, and jazz influences. This eclectic mix is woven into epic compositions characterized by acoustic guitar passages, Mellotron textures, harsh death growls, and dramatic dynamic shifts.
The band`s history is marked by significant personnel changes; every original member has since departed. However, Mikael Åkerfeldt, the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter, has remained the creative force since the departure of founder David Isberg in 1992. Initially, Opeth played live shows sparingly, but following their 2001 breakthrough album Blackwater Park, they embarked on numerous world tours, cementing their status as a major live act.
Opeth boasts an extensive discography: fourteen studio albums, four live DVDs, four live albums (three paired with DVDs), and two box sets. Their debut, Orchid, dropped in 1995. The band achieved significant international chart success with Ghost Reveries (2005), cracking the Top Ten in Sweden and charting in numerous other countries. Their subsequent album, Watershed (2008), debuted at number one in Finland and reached a respectable #23 on the US Billboard 200. Their impact on progressive metal and the wider metal scene remains undeniable.
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