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OPETH Frontman Says 'Manufactured' American Groups Are Like 'Boy Bands With Guitars'

April 25, 2006

OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt recently spoke to Australia's Time Off magazine about the inspiration for his band's occult lyrical themes. "It started out as a fascination for these type of lyrics and that's something that's deeply rooted in heavy metal," he explained. "It's always been there, ever since I was a kid. I picked up an IRON MAIDEN record, or [JUDAS] PRIEST, it was kind of dark. A piano song like 'Epitaph'... a jolly old song but the lyrics are quite dark and quite gothic. That was something I was always intrigued by.

"I don't see myself as a real dark type of person, but I do have a connection with that side. It doesn't necessarily mean I want to kill everyone I meet or I want to worship Satan. I can turn those wicked sides I've got into my own art, if you will.

"Most of the bands today, I don't really like them. When I grew up it was like heresy to compare KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and whatever you got going with MAIDEN and PRIEST. Especially in America, it seems to be a little trend goin'... it's corporate business. The bands feel manufactured, almost like boy bands with guitars. I don't want my bands to be fucking pretty."

Read the entire interview at this location.

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