Opeth at Sentrum Scene

In support of their latest album In Cauda Venenum, Opeth took the stage in Sentrum Scene last sunday.

Opeth is one of those bands whose music direction is not very easy to define. Being heavily influenced by progressive elements, they started their journey over 30 years ago as a melodic death metal band.

However, they’ve come to be best known for their complex sound, featuring acoustic verses and quite generous the amount of riffs per song. Despite changing times and group members Mikael Åkerfeldt’s ambition remained the same throughout, each step evolving them towards their current sound.

30 years of songs

This was Opeth with 30 years of discography, rocking the stage down at Sentrum Scene. They opened the show with «Svekets Prins», a perfect opening track from the last album, before jumping right back into «The Leper Affinity» from their arguably most successful album Blackwater Park.

Frankly I was expecting a setlist heavily rotated around their latest album and sound (as in cleaner guitars, clean vocals, etc), but the whole setlist was actually a journey through the evolution of Opeth.

On top of that, of course Mikael’s amazing humour and his signature small talks fill the gaps in between songs, his sarcastic attitude taking the front seat. One of the first things he said on stage was «Hello, we are Opeth from Stockholm, the capital of Scandinavia».

Hats off

Having seen Opeth live multiple times before, I have to say their sound improved quite a lot! Whoever was on sound engineering duty deserves huge credit for his/her incredible job. Everything sounded just perfect, exactly like on the albums if not even better. Very impressive!

The concert also featured superb performances from the other band members, especially lead guitarist Fredrik Åkesson.

However, apart from anything on stage soundwise there was another BIG thing. Yes, the hat! It’s all about the hat! And their new look, especially Mikael’s. Can’t say I’m a big fan of it (even he compared himself to Guns N’ Roses), but he seems to love wearing it and the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Headwear or not, this splendid concert gets a strong fiver from me.