In a recent interview with Dutch website Faceculture, Opeth guitarist Fredrik Åkesson has revealed that the band are in the thick of writing and demoing new music for their next album. Due sometime in 2019, it will be the follow-up to 2016’s Sorceress (Nuclear Blast/Modorbolaget). Quotes and videos from Åkesson can be seen below.
On the progress of the new album:
“We’re very much into the demoing,” he said (see video below). I’ve recorded a lot of solos so far. And Mikael (Åkerfeldt) has almost already written 12 songs for the new album, so we have more material than enough for an album. But I think we will at least try to finish 15 songs. So hopefully we’ll work on song ideas very soon.”
As to whether the band would hit their loose deadline of the first quarter of next year:
“I’m not sure if it’s gonna happen, but we’re working towards that, and the songwriting goes very well”. “Mikael has been very productive these last… since January, basically. We did the last touring for ‘Sorceress’ in November.”
Regarding the musical direction of new music:
“Compared to the last three albums, I would say, if I can reveal anything, this album is more complex, more energetic, and I think it’s gonna be something.”
“The first filter is the guys in the band, I would say, If we enjoy it, we can only hope that people that enjoy listening to OPETH will enjoy it; that would be nice. But if we’re happy with it, we will release it; it’s quite simple. I think this is kind of a Mikael question in a way, since he’s the creative director for the band, so I know, speaking for him a little bit here, that he always tries to push everything into something new. And I think people will enjoy this new album.”