Opeth has announced that longtime drummer Martin Axenrot (Bloodbath, ex Witchery) has parted ways with the band, effective immediately. As Opeth is about to embark on their US tour tonight, November 16th, 2021 with Mastodon and Zeal & Ardor, Sami Karppinen will fill in for the tour. Axerot joined Opeth in 2006, replacing previous drummer Martin Lopez (Soen) and performing on Watershed, Heritage, Pale Communion, Sorceress and 2019’s In Cauda Venenum. Read the bands’ statement here.
If you still haven’t reconciled the fact that Opeth moved away from death metal years ago – that these days they owe more to the likes of Camel and Gentle Giant than to Morbid Angel – then you might as well stop reading now. Uncross your fingers and stay your optimism for an unlikely return to roaring brutality because the Opeth prog train just keeps on rolling and shows no signs of slowing down. However, for those of you happy with the Swedish progsters’ change of direction almost a decade ago, climb back on board, take a window seat and relax. Continue reading
We’ve seen a ton of heavy metal action figures throughout the years, but Opeth has taken it to a new level. Continue reading