The First Time: Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt

[@KeremcanBuyuktaskin]

One of the nicest, most humble & intelligent guys in metal community. Love Opeth!

[@karabiber5016]

adaaaam

[@icemancometh74]

I've met him and he was really warm and friendly

[@ctacta5762]

Where did you meet him?

[@karabiber5016]

@@icemancometh74 of course he is

[@theHumanBryno]

Don't forget hilarious. His stage banter is second to none.

[@hugsfornuggs]

Does this man know how many people have cried while listening to his music?

[@DanielGonzalezC]

I have never cried listening to Opeth, but I have been completely overwhelmed with feelings of melancholy and sadness for days, so I guess that counts.

[@nachiketjoshi6594]

People cry listening to opeth?🤔

[@hugsfornuggs]

@@nachiketjoshi6594 Why, you've never shed a tear while listening to Opeth?

[@nachiketjoshi6594]

Maithri Bhargavi i headbang and sing along or growl along🤟🏼

[@hugsfornuggs]

@@nachiketjoshi6594 Whatever floats your goats, fren.

[@mhfarhadi4376]

this man is a walking treasure

[@diewingfeather2415]

ملاااك

[@mvunit3]

His Album Collection sounds like a treasure as well! Oo

[@giurgiuovi9312]

I wouldn't say thaaaat.... he could use some more practice and mabe in time...? Who knows...

[@Celatra]

@@giurgiuovi9312 bro Åkerfeldt is very consistent and nearly flawless especially considering how little he rehearses his own songs.

[@Purpledream.]

He is indeed 😍

[@randyhalfway]

I've been brought to tears countless times because of this man's music.

[@sanbilge]

Punched from the inside, right?

[@RobbyMoTalks]

Burden? Ugh... KILLS ME

[@randyhalfway]

@Murder Burger Number one favorite band of all time🙌🤘

[@s.Klebold]

Me tooooo omg

[@IsmailElBakkali]

Never cried on a song as much as I cried on Burden by Opeth.

[@Nickball97]

"[A$AP Rocky getting arrested] it's probably good for his career" lol

[@Gothika666]

"And I was there at that festival with my kids, 'cause there's lots of- they're in, they're in to hiphop... yuck"

[@Concensusdown]

he's obnoxious ( A$AP )

[@DB-xo6xh]

He just dropped a new video today. Its trending at #2. Ew.

[@Adakan18]

He’s a genius but his hatred for hip hop is misplaced. He hasn’t heard the right stuff or just doesn’t understand the experience. I grew up a metal head, but in Oakland CA I also grew up loving hip hop

[@WheresTheLambSAAAAAAAUCE]

@@Adakan18Because hip hop has gone from having creative groovy beats and chord progressions to guys who can’t sing for their life talking about random bullshit. Sure, it might sound good at times but most metal fans, especially prog metal fans want to be amazed by creativity and innovation. Which is almost non existent in hip hop, to my ears at least. Now that doesn’t mean that it’s bad but surely justifies not being interested in it.

[@icemancometh74]

One of the supreme musical talents of our time

[@BananaDucshortz]

Absolutely. Stephen Wilson too.

[@icemancometh74]

@@BananaDucshortz Another big favorite of mine Along with Devin Townsend, these three are my absolute favorite musicians and I buy everything they release 🙂

[@_MaitreuPanda___]

No

[@siddhantkumar9287]

TRUE!

[@YeaminMalik]

@@BananaDucshortz *Steven

[@ankihansen2489]

Mikael danced with Agnetha the dancing queen, that's would have been epic to see!

[@samyjoseph4798]

it would be nice a collaboration between the two

[@accursed1559]

he really cares about good music.....just listen to some old and new of his albums and you will agree he is the most talented musician alive.

[@josueignaciomm]

absolutely agree, nobody dares to say it but I genuinely think is the truth

[@CarlHH777]

Cool it with the hyperbole. He's obviously talented and has made good music but claiming he's the most talented musician alive is absurd.

[@josueignaciomm]

@@CarlHH777 name a better musician

[@CarlHH777]

@@josueignaciomm You missed the point of my comment. There's not one musician alive more talented than the rest. If you believe there is, you need to listen to more music.

[@bens4295]

@@josueignaciomm Buckethead....

[@S4UD_]

Gotta like this guy , you just can’t help it

[@silentakeover]

Few years ago I met Mikael at Madame Tussauds in London. While we chatted away about Storm Corrosion and Opeth, his daughters were posing for pictures with wax figures members of One Direction, of all bands…I’ll forever cherish that moment, meeting one of my heroes and finding him to be so approachable and humble. Anyway, both his kids and me got to take a photo with our heroes that day. Mikael, I hope you don’t mind me mentioning this anecdote..

[@LordSummerIsle73]

Opeths music literally makes me cry because it is so beautiful

[@hiramsilva1423]

That story he told when he danced with Agnetha... man, just loved it.

[@Jablan11]

Im still rewatching this video years later just to hear this story

[@Martin-jd3oc]

Amazing

[@soakedbearrd]

I don’t say this often, but this guy is a musical genius. The fact that he’s so down to earth makes it even better. Can’t wait to see them feb 21st.

[@leedanielisla2440]

this guy probably has made me cry on the floor a lot of times

[@Hanselito]

This man is a master genius Opeth forever!

[@brudski8320]

why didnt he mention his own damnation album when they talked about songs that made him cry lmao

[@isaaccurrier]

I find Damnation more Darker then sad

[@muhammadhangtuah9746]

THRASHER METAL what about still life?

[@KC-kw7ii]

@@isaaccurrier Yeah, Damnation is darker than sad, but it is pretty sad nonetheless.

[@elon_bust]

Hope Leaves is one of the most melancholic songs you can hope to hear

[@brudski8320]

Well Its just bcs I play it as a backgroud music for my mental breakdowns ...its depressing what makes it dark

[@biorythmicshifter]

All the albums from My Arms Your Hearse up to Deliverance are untouchable to me. Those albums move me in ways that transcend the normal human experience. There are few artists that have that kind of pull with me. The combination of styles he brought to the table changed the metal landscape. A whole new level of sophistication to the language of music was created…absolutely brilliant artist.

[@Adrielokil]

Imagine having one of the best musicians alive as your father and you listen to some of the worst musicians music

[@HanOnkel]

Haha, good point, that made me laugh out loud. No, really :D

[@anasmalek]

His daughter listen to billie eilish 😂

[@phyrestorm999]

Imagine having a high school classmate ask what your favorite band is and saying it's your dad's. Of course the Akerfeldt girls wouldn't be into Opeth as teens, or at least wouldn't admit it.

[@TreyDieterich]

I remember the year that Heritage came out. All the other bands I was into had put out uninteresting music and Opeth's departure into something different was just what I needed. I probably listened to that album 1000 times or more.

[@blackmetalbreadstick]

Heritage was exactly what I was looking for when I bought it. Felt so refreshing

[@CHHSFans]

Same here brother. About 1000 times as well. Heritage is still my very favorite Opeth album !

[@Jukisoba]

If I'm ever going to have kids, they are going to listen Ghost Reveries. A lot.

[@DanteLikesRock]

@@victorscorgie1436 eyyy representing South Africa🇿🇦

[@markblaauw4961]

I owe him. He's been so important to me when it comes to musical development. I feel lucky to have discovered him and Opeth. Such an overwhelming humbleness and honesty.

[@wolfblade25]

Heritage is one of my favorite albums of theirs. It's sad to hear that they got some hate for trying a different style.

[@s.Klebold]

wolfblade25 not gonna lie. Took me some time to warm up to that album. And now as an adult I’m completely head over heals for it :3 but their heavy stuff will always be my fav ^.^

[@wolfblade25]

@@s.Klebold I completely hear you there. "Blackwater park" and "ghost reveries" are still my top.

[@jmcsquared18]

Nobody bitched when they released Damnation, but it's arguably even softer than their prog rock records. The fans didn't care because they had just did Deliverance, too. But when they announced they were dropping the metal sound, the fans suddenly hated Heritage. But both Damnation and Heritage are sublime records. All that does is illustrate how fans can betray a classic musician at the drop of a hat.

[@danielfreezer8469]

@@jmcsquared18 You're full of it. Most fans enjoyed Heritage. They just started making Heritage 2 and 3 after that which is when people dropped off. "Betray" lol, god forbid you ever criticize a band.

[@Sage-ov1xx]

i love newpeth

[@anthonyquinn]

One of the most original songwriters in metal today, I remember the first time I heard Still Life, it blew my mind

[@oskarhultenlycke2543]

The opening to The moor, I’d never heard anything like that before

[@s.Klebold]

I LOVE him so much!1 Opeth is my all time fav band, ive met him a few times and hes so sweet and funny i just love him so darn much thank you so much for doing this video!!!!

[@RoguSpanish]

Holy shit I'm jealous! I've never even seen them live... but they will always be one of my favorite bands, and I will fight anyone who doesn't agree that Blackwater Park is the greatest album ever made.

[@ksylo4805]

Samatha, have you heard CULT OF LUNA (brilliant band from Sweden)? They appeared 20 years ago and now released new video "The Silent Man"

[@rupe82]

@@ksylo4805 Cult of Luna are one of the most consistent bands in metal. Amazing band.

[@bastianbasaure1108]

2:04 please make this a gif

[@davidantiguedadclassicalgu4259]

Bastian Basaure totally, man😂😂😂 LMAO

[@elyelectees9340]

@@davidantiguedadclassicalgu4259 ^

[@davidantiguedadclassicalgu4259]

Ely Electees thanks man!

[@GrimFelArt]

@@elyelectees9340 YES

[@sacation6057]

hahahaah yeah i thought the same, it's to perfect!

[@jmhanelineiv]

Harlequin Forest and the last two tracks of Pale Communion nearly bring me to tears every time.

[@davidrapant6398]

I admit the solo in Lovelorn Crime has brought me to tears. That solo is dripping with emotion and you just don’t hear that sort of thing that often anymore. Great vocals as well, great song. Thanks Mikael for doing what you do best and not doing what everyone else thinks you should do. Nice to be free isn’t it?

[@Daisy-Doo]

He is an absolute gem and should be cherished forever

[@lowroar5127]

I don't know much about his band but I kept coming to his interviews because I love how this man speaks

[@Celatra]

listen to damnation. you will like it regardless of your taste in music.

[@yousefabudaqar6728]

I didn't want the this to end, very cool insights. what a pleasant guy to hear speak!

[@charlesschuldliner4150]

The aunthenticity of mikael is one of the facts that make opeth a whole trademark inside music itself. A very mature and discipline human is what i see here. I hope this example of vision and talent keep always putting rock music on highest levels every generation. Long live Opeth 😀

[@czdot]

Rolling stone have noticed Opeth after 30 years. Well done. Well done. 😀

[@ironsharpensiron9406]

🗡🗡 When Mike said he listened to Rainbow after his divorce I laughed...after my recent breakup with a woman I loved old school Opeth was there for me....love this band. 🗡🗡

[@ankihansen2489]

Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio are legendary, what made you laugh?

[@davnex791]

Since Black water park Opeth for me means so much! Devin and Mikael for shure the greatest musicians on this planet! Long live Opeth \m/

[@Archferumphis]

Don't forget our lord and savior Steven Wilson.

[@jackattack7940]

Blackwater Park's my personal favourite.

[@xdman20005]

@@jackattack7940 like a good wine!

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

Mikael is a slight notch above, though. Devin would readily admit to that.

[@oktaperdana9414]

when he try to compare his kids listen to lil baby and he listens to number of the beast ...

[@hazardeur]

maybe wait a lil until his kids find out about a certain band called Bloodbath

[@peakcartoon]

@@hazardeur shhh, we don't talk about that

[@No1WillMakeItOutAlive]

Hazardeur seriously he’s like “man why are my kids listening to music that’s so violent?” like b r u h you were a death metal vocalist

[@BJ.Cardoso]

@@No1WillMakeItOutAlive but hip-hop is more a call to action while death metal is a ficticious story

[@machomarty8238]

On their first Bloodbath EP, I believe one of the lines is "painting the wall with the blood of a slut" lol

[@vineetgundecha7872]

Good to see him doing interviews again!

[@knowur10sand18s]

Been a fan of Opeth since 1998, Mikeal Akerfeldt is our era's Beethoven. Can't wait to see them live again in 2020 with a meet and greet package.

[@agustinares930]

"Our era's beethoven" That's very stupid but mikael is a genius too

[@Daniel.Miranda]

How much does that cost? I would just love to be front row

[@draltar]

6:50 - "they're into hip-hop... Yuck" - this made my day hahaha

[@TimmyGMusic]

Genius. Legend. And a genuinely nice guy!

[@jeremymoore7702]

You literally can ask this dude any question and he has a unique story for it each one .......love opeth ....always good

[@ermonski]

It's Dave Grohl with Morgan Freeman's voice with a Swedish accent.

[@fb1874]

A Musical Genuis! One of the greatest musicians ever!

[@IDGAF_PLUS]

Thank God for Heritage! It's what finally got me to notice Opeth and now I'm obsessed. Didn't like them because of the vocals, but now I even love the old stuff.

[@No1WillMakeItOutAlive]

7:30 former death metal vocalist dislikes how violent lyrics in rap are

[@No1WillMakeItOutAlive]

good interview tho, cool guy

[@callumhall2432]

@@No1WillMakeItOutAlive believe it or not death metal isn't always singing about violent crimes

[@No1WillMakeItOutAlive]

@@callumhall2432 I mean yeah obviously I was just making a joke about it because in general, the whole thing about death metal is how gruesome and grimy and evil it is. That’s how death metal was from the getgo, thats how most bands are, and thats the reputation the genre carries

[@zerir.3726]

@@callumhall2432 neither is rap lol

[@callumhall2432]

@@zerir.3726 Did I say that it was?

[@deniselisboa1]

the abba story is SO WHOLESOME IM GONNA YELL

[@MegaManDrum]

I came face to face once in a hotel lobby in Norway.... Had to thank him for the inspiration. Very kind man. I'm glad RS had an honest interview with an honest person

[@lantzkeefer8674]

I'm from the states and I was a huge ABBA fan,as we're my parents who are the reason why I first heard them.I love music from alot of different genres, but there has to be talent and originallty.Opeth definitely fits that bill,and of course they write awesome songs and are true musicians.Thxs Mikael for all that you've done,and hopefully there's more🤘

[@soullessSiIence]

Cool dude. Looks kind of sad and bored all the time. Just like me.

[@noname-eq1yc]

Yep. Even hes joking in the stage.

[@Ymiraku]

yeah well he is a genius, they tend to be more melancholic

[@lordkiller977]

Well, yes. Everything in life what is not to play or listen to metal is boring.

[@sebastianlacroix5871]

He's Swedish.

[@diewingfeather2415]

This man is godly musician and gentle soul, handsome and has a soothing speaking voice

[@luliby2309]

Mikael's such a talented and great dude. I remember trying to emulate his style so much a couple of years ago. Can't believe he got to dance with the dancing queen herself. (Also, Rainbow Rising is a freaking beast of an album. The whole entire thing is solid gold.)

[@Floral_Green]

“But, being Norwegian, he was rich..” Kek

[@djpetenice]

Mike's music has gotten me through some pretty tough times in life. Even more so his music brought me back from wanting to quit music all together back in 2003. I had given up on music but one fateful day I heard Opeth for my first time and quickly realized what a fool I was. I went on to have a small career in music. Solid musician and dude.

[@cloud2537]

The song that brought me to tears was Mother Russia off Turn of the Cards by Renaissance. I was also particularly vulnerable at that time and Annie's operatic voice just brought me to a low simmer.

[@timyo6288]

I met him briefly in 2019 - he’s the man.

[@nickwantsmorepancake]

"They're into hip hop...Yuck" I love hip hop but that gave me a good giggle

[@0kk2023]

For me Mike's interviews are one of the interviews which is most enjoyable in all of artist interviews.

[@adikaadika780]

Hey this guy. Wrote songs for opeth and bloodbath??? Hes pure.. Damn

[@GrimFelArt]

I swear this man is my spirit animal lmao I grew up on metal and have always loved Opeth, and listening to him talking about hearing sabbath in a playroom is so me I've met him and he's such a chill bloke, one of the friendliest people I've met, he even shouted me out on stage and it was dope (Sydney Enmore Theatre 2015, during an intermission he said, "today we met a girl who's been listening to us since she was three years old" -- that's meeeeee) I asked him what the weirdest thing he's signed is. He said he's signed a car and a dog😂

[@ChosenChalice420]

If it wasn’t for saints row one I would have never known this Amazing Band!!!🙏🙏🙏🫶🫶🫶🥹🥹🥹

[@Zach_Beebe]

Literally the most talented person in music today. I love this man.

[@debbiekillewald8384]

So relatable!! Love his music and stories.

[@eqqie]

That "Leaf Hound" record at 4:08 ... very hard to find ... $2200 ... and now it's on Spotify. Those were the times... When you had a vinyl record you felt like you have a little treasure in your hand (a big treasure in this case) and you surely took the time to appreciate it. Now you only consume...

[@bla2030]

"you surely took the time to appreciate it", didn't he said that he just put it on his record-case and never cared again?

[@eqqie]

@@bla2030 LOL yeah you're right, but generally speaking :)

[@michaelhudson2912]

just buy it on cd like a real man

[@SimonMooreChannel]

What a great person. I hope someday he releases a personal series of some kind.

[@analogpark8059]

So cool to share the same early metal memory with this guy. My mom always played that Sabbath tape in the car, and when I was like 3-4 I thought 'Iiii am iiirron maaaann' was the coolest shit ever. 😄

[@Tri_Mega_Lok]

No wonder I love Opeth so much! Iron Man had such a profound effect on me as a young teen. Really got me started on the metal path. What a weird coincidence!

[@Opethianaut]

So ready for the new album. Cheers

[@OohsAndAhsBros]

It's funny hearing him talk about lilbaby's lyrics and then remembering bloodbath's discography

[@TarunMusicTv]

I am waiting for NH7 Weekender, Pune, just to see Opeth.

[@cobraimploder]

Fellow Punekar here. Yeah, I've lived in Pune for the better part of 26 years. I was at Symbiosis Institute of Technology for four years hoping to see Opeth live some day. It's funny that when they decide to come to Pune, I'm not in the city anymore. I guess I'll just catch them when I catch them.

[@nikelodeon6852]

Bro when are they coming to Pune?

[@TarunMusicTv]

@kick ass I'm alone too and I don't think it's awkward. Travelling from Noida just to see them. You have company bro. 😀

[@TarunMusicTv]

@kick ass I was in SIBM Pune. Now in Noida. Travelling just to see them.

[@TarunMusicTv]

@@nikelodeon6852 29th Nov 2019.

[@mandyferreira4228]

Such a sweet guy! Love him ♡

[@ericcruz3149]

Akerfeltd, an icon in metal world.

[@BillyBoggle]

GHOST REVERIES is the Opeth album to hear if you are new to the Opeth scene... TRUST.... -Love, @BillyBoggle

[@christopherbreland9527]

Also, Still Life. And Deliverance.

[@cloud2537]

This video needs more views, he's one of the last truly great musicians! Opeth and all of those other neo prog bands are keeping that 70's experimentalism alive. I just gotta say I love and appreciate you Opeth, Steven Wilson, Primus, Tool, Haken, Dream Theater and all of you other technical and experimental bands!

[@CoolCakesJack]

The funny thing is that Heritage is what got me into Opeth. My favorite albums are Morningrise/Orchid as a tie. And then Heritage. Yup, I'm weird like that.

[@Muyumbui_Curtis]

He's so composed.

[@TheShyArmyTV]

I was one of the fans they hated Heritage . I felt very offended by the change in style and incredibly disappointing, but years later I came to learn that an artist can’t satisfy everyone be that it’s better to release music that makes you feel fulfilled .

[@MapleLeafs96]

Where is the part 2?!!! We need more Mikael!

[@barbaratomiceterovic7779]

Wonderful, wonderful guy.

[@caboose0975]

I am so proud that he knows "business in the front, party in the back"

[@CikisHelyzet]

Why wouldn't he? He's old!

[@skabeche81]

I love this guy, it's the only thing I can say, thanks for your music.

[@jamesm9999]

From Windowpane to Deliverance, Opeth is amazing.

[@majoriteten]

is this a pun?

[@djmortimer2978]

Funny and intelligent guy with an awesome voice!

[@Mitchell779]

It’s sad that so many Opeth fans hated Heritage. I love it

[@massluca0078]

i honestly don't really like Opeth, but this man is so interesting to listen to, its so much better than hearing 5 dudes who all would rather be partying talk in one tone for 10 minutes, he actually appreciates his craft and has a connection to the scenes he was a part of when he was younger.

[@stepitupandgo67]

I wonder how old he was when he heard the first sabbath cassette?...it took me til high school to fall in love with sabbath...

[@MrJeroenreyns]

you just cannot hate this guy!

[@jacobhanlon-dunn6254]

I love Mikael Akerfeldt

[@astrophotonics9470]

Confirming Prog Rock God level, finally Rolling Stone does something right.

[@jamiebutler7370]

Was an ad really needed after just 68 seconds

[@threestringsomg]

My new fave band and I love this guy...a great musical talent.....my first intro to metal was also Sabbath....but the wonderful Paranoid album vinyl....not a best of...also I was 6ish....

[@s.Klebold]

youre in for a treat when it come to opeth they will never get old i swear it

[@GenMVeers]

3 dislikes??? For Mike??? "Inconceivable!"

[@P1kk3]

It´s hilarious Mikaels kids are into hip hop.

[@carlflynn2840]

Such a lovely man. I've become pals with him too.

[@ortizon]

I find funny that he uses the same t-shirt in every interview in this rodeo. Genius doesn't need wardrobes. See ya in São Paulo, next May!!

[@hmudara]

One of the most underrated musicians ever.

[@SolarAdrift]

by the general public, maybe. certainly not in metal/prog communities

[@demonshinji]

Husain Mudara every musician knows Mikael and has been influenced by him in a way. Is Opeth not known, yes, but he his know among the metal community. Extreme or not, this guy and Opeth changed the game completely. Imo Mikael and Ihsahn are some of our generations best writers, but unfortunately they’re not big because well, people listen to other shit.

[@sonatedaquiTFM]

he's a really great guy! only downside is his classic from old people hate on hip hop... you lose some good songs saying it sucks. there's great artists there and great music.

[@stellaotto5654]

Eg atcq

[@sillsallat]

There are a few good ones.. Guru, Mc Solaar.. Beastie boys.. and.. njeee

[@persephonestorment9400]

I’ve been a huge Opeth fan for years and believe that Åkerfeldt is one of the greatest frontman/Prog guitarist in the scene he’s been a huge inspiration in my playing style, singing style, and writing style. I’m the rhythm guitarist and vocalist of my band. (My sound is not Åkerfeldt, I have no desire to copy, or steal his sound. Mine is my own. He purely is just a influence and huge at that). However, as a guitarist and Vocalist around this Modern Metal scene, I can completely agree with Mikael as every single band sounds like a god damn boy band on steroids. I may only be 20 but I was raised on Sabbath, Maiden, Metallica, Priest, Motörhead, Venom, Bathory...The Works, Like Father/Like Son I guess, my first album (technically I got two at the same time) was given to me at 4 (I still have both) “Ride the Lightning,” and Dad gave me his 1982 Unopened (still is) Copy of Maiden’s (it’s signed by Burr, Murray, and Smith and Harris-I don’t know where Dickinson was when he was getting it signed)-“Number of the Beast” (My generation has no taste in music 😭😭)

[@pawlpoche8736]

Amazing! The first time I heard iron man was on an 8 track cassette. It scared the fuck out of me! I was in 5th grade. I come to love em so much ( I can play more Black Sabbath songs than any other band i listen too) If you want to learn Metal, Listen to and learn Sabbath and strive to be like Opeth!

[@t_WD66]

“I was with my kids... they’re into Hip-Hop. Yuck!”

[@Malkovith2]

Hip-hop is amazing and opens many doors. It's sad Mikael distances himself from this music.

[@oaretic5119]

@@Malkovith2 what doors?

[@alanpartridge3972]

Zlyaw the polyphia sound came as a result of listening to hip hop

[@t_WD66]

Malkovith1 Personally I love it. It’s okay for people not to though.

[@kianpourzand4893]

@@Malkovith2 but i think we all can agree, that the hip hop he was talking about (eg lil baby) is utter garbage

[@kahwigulum]

Oh really? I liked Heritage and Sorceress and everything else. I haven't heard an Opeth album I didn't like. They're always so fresh and creative but maintain the heart and soul that is central to every album.

[@hardrockrelics2157]

Who would divorce this man? I’d marry him!