Mikael Åkerfeldt Explained

Mikael Åkerfeldt
Background:solo_singer
Landscape:yes
Birth Date:1974 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Stockholm, Sweden
Occupation:Musician, singer-songwriter, producer
Instrument:Vocals, guitar, bass
Years Active:1987–present
Label:Roadrunner, Candlelight, Century Black, Music for Nations
Current Member Of:Opeth
Past Member Of:Storm Corrosion, Bloodbath, Katatonia

Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt (in Swedish ˈmîːkaɛl ˈôːkɛrˌfɛlt/;[1] born 17 April 1974)[2] is a Swedish musician. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of progressive metal band Opeth. A former vocalist of death metal supergroup Bloodbath, he was also guitarist for the "one-off" band Steel, and part of the collaboration Storm Corrosion with Steven Wilson.

Åkerfeldt is known for his progressive rock-influenced songwriting style and his frequent use of both clean baritone and growled vocals. He was ranked #42 on Guitar Worlds list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time,[3] and #11 among "The Top 25 Modern Metal Guitarists" on MetalSucks.[4]

Career

A native of Stockholm, Mikael Åkerfeldt was the vocalist for Eruption, a death metal band that he formed in 1987 at 13 years old.[5] After Eruption came to an end in 1989, he joined Opeth, ostensibly as a keyboardist. When their original bassist left Opeth two years later, Åkerfeldt replaced him as bassist; Isberg then assumed guitar duties. When Isberg left Opeth three years later, Åkerfeldt replaced him as the vocalist.

Åkerfeldt performed the death vocals on Katatonia's album Brave Murder Day and their EP Sounds of Decay.

Åkerfeldt revealed in September 2009 that he is contemplating recording a singer-songwriter acoustic solo album.[6] However, in 2014 he expressed the view that he didn't have the need for a special solo project and that he can put pretty much anything into Opeth.[7]

In an interview on STIM magazine, he revealed that one of the highlights of his career was Opeth's performance at the Royal Albert Hall.[8]

In 2020, Åkerfeldt was approached by director Jonas Åkerlund to compose the soundtrack for the swedish six-part Netflix series Clark, released in May 2022. It is his first foray into film scoring.[9]

Influences

Åkerfeldt is a collector of obscure 1970s rock and heavy metal albums.[10] He also tends to show his influence from these obscure bands, making reference to them in Opeth album titles such as Blackwater Park, Still Life and My Arms, Your Hearse, as well as songs such as "Master's Apprentices" and "Goblin". He is also influenced extensively by jazz, the musician Ritchie Blackmore,[2] Magma and its founder Christian Vander,[11] and Hideki Ishima.[12]

When asked what the album was that 'made him a metalhead', Åkerfeldt answered that it was probably The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden, but also mentioned Lick It Up by Kiss.[13] In a different interview he stated that he usually cites Black Sabbath's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath as the best (and favourite) heavy metal album of all time. He also has considered Judas Priest's Sad Wings of Destiny as his favourite metal album.[14]

Personal life

On 15 August 2003, Mikael Åkerfeldt married his longtime girlfriend, Anna.[15] In 2004 Anna gave birth to their first daughter, Melinda.[16] The couple had their second daughter, Mirjam, in 2007.[17] In 2016, in an interview with The Quietus, Åkerfeldt revealed he had gone through a divorce.[18]

Åkerfeldt is known to be friends with Steven Wilson, the frontman of one of his favorite bands, Porcupine Tree, who also produced the Opeth albums Blackwater Park, Deliverance and Damnation; Mike Portnoy, drummer of Dream Theater (who is featured in their music video for "Wither"); and Jonas Renkse of Katatonia.[19] He is also presumed to be the basis for the character Toki Wartooth from the popular cartoon Metalocalypse, as divulged in an interview with Ultimate Guitar.[20] Åkerfeldt doesn't practice any religion and considers himself an atheist.[21]

Equipment

Åkerfeldt has almost exclusively used PRS guitars since the Deliverance/Damnation era and has his own signature model.[22] He also occasionally uses guitars by a variety of other brands as well, including Gibson and Jackson.[23]

Electric guitars

Åkerfeldt uses the following electric guitars, according to the Opeth website.[23]

  1. PRS SE Mikael Åkerfeldt Signature Guitar
  2. PRS P24 (Antique White)
  3. PRS Custom 24 (Tortoiseshell flame top)
  4. PRS Custom 24 (Blue Flame Top)
  5. PRS Custom 24 (Black Quilt)
  6. PRS Custom 24 (Black)
  7. PRS SC 245 (Black Cherry)
  8. PRS 22 fret Modern Eagle (Grey Flame Top)
  9. PRS Modern Eagle Single Cut 24 Fret (Wine Flame Matte Top)
  10. PRS Custom 22 12-String (Black)
  11. PRS Singlecut (Black Quilt)
  12. PRS Starla (Vintage Cherry)
  13. Gibson Flying V ('67 Reissue)
  14. Gibson Les Paul Standard V.O.S. (Tobacco Sunburst)
  15. Gibson SG Standard 1961 Reissue
  16. Fender Stratocaster 1975 (Black)
  17. Fender Stratocaster 1972 Reissue (Natural)
  18. Jackson RR USA Model
  19. B.C. Rich Mockingbird (Black)

Acoustic guitars/Steel string

Åkerfeldt uses the following acoustic guitars, according to the Opeth web site.[23]

  1. Martin (with Fishman Pickup)
  2. Martin 00016GT
  3. Takamine 12 String
  4. Seagull (with Fishman Pickup)
  5. Martin 000-28

Acoustic guitars/Classical nylon

  1. Amalio Burguet 3am (cedar top)
  2. Landola CT/2/w

Amps

Åkerfeldt uses the following amps, according to the Opeth web site.[23]

  1. Marshall Vintage Modern 2466
  2. Laney GH100L with cabinet
  3. Laney VH100R
  4. Laney VC30
  5. Fender 1000 Rocpro
  6. Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra preamp / effects processor
  7. Marshall JCM900

Discography

With Opeth

With Katatonia

With Bloodbath

With Edge of Sanity

With Steel

With Storm Corrosion

As a Soloist/Composer

Appearances

Prequelle (2018) – acoustic guitar on the instrumental track "Helvetesfönster".[33]

Genesis Revisited II (2012) – vocals on "Supper's Ready".

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH) - When I Was A Teenage Headbanger. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/cECXO-brhH0 . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 5 August 2020.
  2. http://www.opeth.com/home/about-opeth/item/4-mikael-%C3%A5kerfeldt Mikael Åkerfeldt
  3. Web site: GUITAR WORLD's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time . 23 January 2004 . 27 February 2012 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130905122448/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitar-world-s-100-greatest-heavy-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/ . 5 September 2013 .
  4. Web site: The Top 25 Modern Metal Guitarists: The Entire List in One Place. MetalSucks. 6 January 2014. 8 June 2011.
  5. http://www.opeth.com/home/chapters/chapter-i "History of Opeth, Chapter I"
  6. Web site: OPETH Frontman To Record Acoustic Solo Album . . 15 September 2009 . 27 February 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090923004229/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=127027 . 23 September 2009 . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: Mikael Akerfeldt: 'This Record Is More Melodic, Slightly Heavier and a Bit More Schizophrenic' . Ultimate Guitar. 21 April 2014. 28 April 2014.
  8. Web site: Post Metal. 8 June 2016. stim.se.
  9. Web site: Munropublished . Scott . 2020-05-13 . Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt to score new Netflix series Clark . 2022-05-08 . loudersound . en.
  10. Web site: Heavy Load: Mikael Akerfeldt. 13 August 2014. 8 June 2016. TeamRock. Mark. Blake.
  11. Web site: Seminal Progressive Rock Pioneers Magma Confirmed For Mikael Åkerfeldt's Curated 2014 Roadburn Event – Roadburn . . 17 December 2013. 8 October 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131217223942/http://www.roadburn.com/2013/10/seminal-progressive-rock-pioneers-magma-confirmed-mikael-akerfeldts-curated-2014-roadburn-event/. 17 December 2013.
  12. SPECIAL TALK SESSIONミカエル憧れのギタリストと夢の対談が実現!! - Mikael Akerfeldt / OPETH & Hideki Ishima / ex-FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND. Young Guitar. ja. Shinko Music. 6. June 2013.
  13. Web site: Floris van Bommel interviews Mikael Åkerfeldt at FortaRock XL 2013. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GovRYEcd2w0 . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 10 June 2013. 8 June 2016.
  14. Web site: Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GKm2eQ7XftM . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 2014-05-07. 2017-12-27.
  15. Web site: Chapter VIII. https://web.archive.org/web/20100824170100/http://opeth.com/index.php/biography/show/tpl/chapter-viii-4. 24 August 2010. 2017-12-27. dead. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: Chapter IX. https://web.archive.org/web/20100824170050/http://opeth.com/index.php/biography/show/tpl/chapter-ix-3. 24 August 2010. 2017-12-27. dead. dmy-all.
  17. Web site: Chapter XI. https://web.archive.org/web/20100904082053/http://opeth.com/index.php/biography/show/tpl/chapter-xi-4. 2017-12-27. 4 September 2010. dead. dmy-all.
  18. Web site: Franklin. Dan. Dead Man Touring: Mikael Åkerfeldt Of Opeth Interviewed. The Quietus. 23 November 2016. 21 September 2016. Although markedly different from those albums, Sorceress has something of the mood and tone of that work, driven by Åkerfeldt’s personal experience, including a recent divorce, more than a reflective, authored distance..
  19. Web site: Hearts Are Falling – An Interview With Katatonia's Jonas Renkse. https://web.archive.org/web/20160526074243/http://www.metalblast.net/interviews/hearts-are-falling-an-interview-with-katatonias-jonas-renkse/. 2016-05-26. 8 June 2016. 23 May 2016. Metalblast.net.
  20. Web site: Opeth: 'The Band Will Continue For As Long As There's Good Material In Us'. Duncan. Geddes. 22 November 2007. 8 November 2007. Ultimate Guitar. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071126113242/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/opeth_the_band_will_continue_for_as_long_as_theres_good_material_in_us.html. 26 November 2007. dmy-all.
  21. Web site: Heavy Load: Mikael Akerfeldt. Mark Blake13. August 2014. Classic Rock Magazine. 13 August 2014 . 5 August 2020.
  22. Web site: Opeth - Mikael Åkerfeldt & Fredrik Åkesson. PRS Artists. prsguitars.com. 8 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316043924/http://www.prsguitars.com/allaccess/opeth/akerfeldt_signature.php. 16 March 2018. dead.
  23. http://www.opeth.com "www.opeth.com"
  24. Web site: Opeth's "Pale Communion" Coming June 17 . Roadrunner Records . 7 April 2014 . 2014-07-28.
  25. Web site: The Human Equation. Barnes &. Noble. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20130112061632/http://www.arjenlucassen.com/content/the-human-equation/. 12 January 2013. dead.
  26. Web site: CANDLEMASS: '20 Year Anniversary Party' DVD Details Revealed. 8 June 2016. 12 October 2007. Blabbermouth.net.
  27. Web site: Gricourt . Nicolas . DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: DECONSTRUCTION DISSECTED . radiometal.com . 2011-03-31 . 2016-03-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725154819/http://www.radiometal.com/en/article/devin-townsend-project-deconstruction-dissected,25214 . 25 July 2011 . dmy-all .
  28. Web site: Systematic Chaos. 2017-12-27.
  29. Web site: Dream Theater - Repentance feat. Mikael Åkerfeldt. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/vb1iWCSX6jM . 2021-12-21 . live. . 2017-12-27.
  30. Web site: Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) with Dream Theater. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/x2V3gF9tLJw . 2021-12-21 . live. . 2017-12-27.
  31. Web site: Crimson - Edge of Sanity. Credits - AllMusic. . 2017-12-27.
  32. Web site: Infernal - Edge of Sanity. Credits - AllMusic. . 2017-12-27.
  33. Web site: Prequelle, Ghost. 13 April 2018. Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. 22 January 2020.
  34. Web site: Horrified - Deus Diabolus Inversus - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. . 2017-12-27.
  35. Web site: Horrified - Deus Diabolus Inversus (CD, Album) at Discogs. 2017-12-27.
  36. Web site: KATATONIA - SOUNDS OF DECAY - opeth.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20130408044259/http://www.opeth.com/home/discography/related/item/82-katatonia-sounds-of-decay. 2013-04-08. 2017-12-27.
  37. Web site: Tonight's Decision - Katatonia. Credits - AllMusic. . 2017-12-27.
  38. Web site: angL - Ihsahn. 3 June 2008. Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. 22 January 2020.
  39. Web site: Blood - OSI. 3 September 2009. Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. 22 January 2020.
  40. Web site: A Predator's Portrait - Soilwork. Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. 22 January 2020.

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