In Cauda Venenum Explained

In Cauda Venenum
Type:	studio
Artist:	Opeth
Cover:	Opeth - In Cauda Venenum.png
Recorded:	18 November 2018 – 6 March 2019
Studio:	Park Studios / Psykbunkern in Stockholm, Sweden Junkmail Studios in Stockholm, Sweden Angel Recording Studios in London, England
Length:	67:57
Prev Year:	2018
Next Title:	The Last Will and Testament
Next Year:	2024

In Cauda Venenum (Latin for "Poison in the tail") is the thirteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth, released on 27 September 2019 through Moderbolaget and Nuclear Blast.^[1] It was released in two versions: a Swedish-language version and an English-language version.^[2] The band toured in support of the album throughout 2019 and into 2020.^[3] At 67 minutes and 57 seconds, it is the band's longest studio album. It is also the band's last album to feature drummer Martin Axenrot before his departure in 2021.

Critical reception

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 85, based on 10 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim". The album received a score of 10 out of 10 from Wall of Sound, who stated it was "the best album the band has ever created in their prog era".^[4] Loudwire named it one of the 50 best metal albums of 2019.^[5]

Personnel

Opeth

• Mikael Åkerfeldt – lead and backing vocals, guitars and ramblings, string arrangements
• Fredrik Åkesson – lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals, whistles, coughs
• Martin Axenrot – drums and percussion
• Martín Méndez – bass guitars
• Joakim Svalberg – keyboards and backing vocals

Technical personnel

• Mikael Åkerfeldt – production
• Stefan Boman with Opeth – co-production, engineering, mixing
• Tom Jondelius – studio assistant
• Dave Stewart – string arrangements
• Geoff Pesche – mastering at Abbey Road Studios
• Travis Smith – artwork and design for Seempieces
• Jasper Schuurmans – project coordination

Notes and References

1. Web site: Opeth Set September Release For New Album 'In Cauda Venenum', Debut 'Heart In Hand'. theprp.com. 11 July 2019. 12 July 2019.
2. Web site: Opeth's In Cauda Venenum: in-depth rock luxury from 21st-century prog monarchs. loudersound.com. 27 September 2019.
3. Web site: OPETH To Release 'In Cauda Venenum' Album In The Fall; Track Listing, Artwork Unveiled. Blabbermouth.net. 22 May 2019. 23 May 2019.
4. Web site: Opeth – In Cauda Venenum (Album Review). Wall of Sound. 26 September 2019. 26 September 2019.
5. Web site: The 50 Best Metal Albums of 2019 . . . March 7, 2021 . December 3, 2019.
6. Web site: Top 100 Albumes – Semana 40: del 27.9.2019 al 3.10.2019. Productores de Música de España. es. 9 October 2019.