Opeth pour l'album live "The Roundhouse Tapes"

1. Hi Mikael! First, thank you for according me some time for this interview because I suppose I'm not the only one... So after "Lamentations" in 2003, you're about to release your second live album, "The Roundhouse Tapes" on November 5th. Where came the idea to make it real? Why did you choose Peaceville this time?

We had a contractual feature with Roadrunner that allowed us to record and release a live DVD and release it with a label of our choice. There was a brief bid war for the rights and Peaceville won. Basically this was an expensive production so we needed to finance it somehow. Peaceville also presented some cool ideas on the developing of the artwork which we found highly interesting. They were so interested in the project that we had to choose them basically. We are still proud to be on Roadrunner as a creative act and the next record will be out through Roadrunner. This is a one-off.


2. Most of the times, the CD and DVD versions of a live album are released together but for this one, the DVD of the same concert won't be available before 2008... I suppose it's a choice of Peaceville so what do you think about this?

I don't think most of the time they're released together, but I get your point. The audio tapes has been finished for quite some time while the DVD still has a few things that needs to be taken care of so we're releasing the material as it gets finished. I'm sure there will be a release with both formats in one package later as well.


3. Except the concert itself, can you give us any information about the other contents of the DVD to come?

Band interviews, fan interviews, soundcheck clip & pictures. But it's basically the concert itself that is the big “deal” about the release and the major interest of the release.


4. This concert was recorded almost a year ago now (November 9th 2006). Do you remember of it? Is it an additional stress to know that we are also filmed and recorded when you play?

A certain amount of stress I guess but only in the beginning. Then you kinda loosen up and start enjoying yourself. I don't remember that much from the show. It was a rather average show for us to be honest and most of our shows are like that. It's very represent able in that aspect. We've done filmed performances as few times before so we're getting used to it little by little.


5. As an old listener of the music of Opeth, I found that the choice of the songs was really amazing! All the albums of your discography are represented here, from "Orchid" (1994) to "Ghost Reveries" (2005). How did you make the choice of the songs in general? What is your favourite song to play in these 9?

We always… every show we do, try to cover as many albums as possible but it's getting very difficult these days. It was a great pleasure to play the older songs and in fact I think we played those the best out of all of them that night. My favourite song to play differs but “Windowpane” is great to play. I always get emotional playing it and it has a few solo spots for me which I really enjoy playing. That last guitar solo I do I think is fantastic and I love to play it.


6. Now that Opeth has a full-time keyboard player (Per Wiberg), all the songs played were worked again to integrate keyboard lines in them. How spent this process of creation?

He more or less fooled around with the riffs and found ways he could play them along with us. It sounds so much better to me now. He really adds another level to the overall picture. And on top of everything now we can get closer to the recorded version we finally can do stuff we haven't been able to do before. We never use any tapes and sequencers live, as most other metal bands do. All you hear at a Opeth gig is being played by the 5 persons on stage. Unfortunately that is not the case with many other bands. Some gigs you see the bands are basically miming to their own tracks….it's horrible!


7. Will there be another tour before your next album?

No, we'll start touring in April for the next record and I gather that will continue until 2009 or something… it's quite amazing how much we tour when we tour you know.


8. 2 years ago, Peter told us that the rhythm of the tour was quite hard to live for him... What's about you? I know it's a real chance to be able to live with music but is it possible to find any stability in this way of life?

You have to make it work. I have a wife and a daughter and another kid on the way. I mean, it worked for a lot of people I'm crossing my fingers it will work for me too. We got off the “Ghost reveries” tour on December 22nd, 2006 and I have been home since. Every day I hang with my daughter and family and spend quality time with them. I am away a lot there's no question about it, but I'm also home a lot… you gotta remember that. I've been home for a year now, and I value every second of it.


9. After Martin Lopez, it was a sad news to hear about Peter Lindgren's departure and I suppose for the band too... We know the reasons but did he show any sign of exhaustion or did he tell you anything before? How did you welcome his decision?

We knew it'd happened eventually since some time back so it's not a shock to us. I love the guy and we're still friends of course...I hope that we'll become even better friends than what we were when we're playing together. His decision was right, for both parts. I don't want to play with anyone who's not in it 200% and who's not excited as everybody else. I know he loves music but I guess he's also interested in a lot of other things. He got a education to die for and it'd almost be foolish not to exploit that education.


10. Now a difficult question: if you had to choose ONE album from the Opeth discography except "Ghost Reveries" of course, what would it be?

“Blackwater Park” I think.


11. And after the difficult question, the unexpected question: lead singer, guitarist and songwriter, we all know that you gather all these skills but... Sexy beast, that's something new! Do we have any word from Anna to confirm this declaration or is it just a marketing operation to increase your popularity with the women?

Haha! Well, I am…I can't help it! I'm the sexiest muthafukkah on the planet!


12. What are you listening to these days? Any metal (or not metal) albums to recommend?

Only The Zombies, “Odessey and Oracle”. It's a masterpiece!


13. To finish, could you give us some news about your future album? Will it be softer, heavier, or more progressive (or even pop-influenced)?

Heavier, darker, more complex and hard to listen to if you have a short attention span.


14. Thank you for the interview and we already wait for the new album with impatience. The last words are yours!

Thanks for the interview and hope to see you and the French fans on tour soon.