Well, I'm going to tell ya!

I just got back from the Melloboat, basically the floors are still moving underneath me and I'm beyond exhausted, but it's all worth it. Myself, my wife and my youngest daughter, Mirjam all checked into the semi- posh Commodore suites of the Silja Symphony boat, and I knew right then this trip was going to be a memory for life.

I wasn't really nervous for our own gig, even though we hadn't played since last Summer and even though our setlist consisted of a few songs we hadn't played for a long time + one new song, "Heir apparent". I asked my wife to cut me some slack as I my brain was literally working overtime, overheating.

I'd talked Stefan into fixing a slot for us at 10 pm which is basically regular gig time, since we don't like the play in the middle of the night. Easily arranged and a one hour gig was scheduled for the big stage (well…kinda) of the boat. I didn't have time to see any bands prior to us, so I missed Anekdoten, but I know they're great, they always are.

Our main objective for the gig was to have a good time. It's seen as a warm up for our coming UK and USA tours and I think it's done us good. Basically I had a blast, we all did! None of us we're playing flawlessly or anything like that, and the sound was a bit iffy, but we fucking had a blast straight through. The crowd was great, singing along, seemed like many people were really happy to see us again, and also maybe slightly relieved that we're sounding like Opeth after all the line-up changes. I knew that. In fact, in the rehearsal room the day before the show we all agreed on that we have never ever sounded this good ever before. I even enjoyed rehearsing "The drapery falls". That's pretty weird since I can't remember having rehearsed it with any kind of emotion since 2001 or something. Love the song, but we've played it to death I the past. Now it felt so fresh and basically it was one of my favourite songs that night. We did a slower version of "Harvest" which I really liked. The new one came out fine, even though it had the most mistakes…mainly technical mistakes. It was fun to play it and the crowd seemed the really dig it. Everyone that came up to me afterwards said it was their favourite song of the night, which is not a bad thing I guess.

The setlist was:

Intro

Masters apprentices

The drapery falls

Serenity painted death

Harvest

The baying of the hounds

Heir apparent

Demon of the fall

Thanks to everyone who came to see us. Basically, thanks to everyone that bought a ticket for this happening. You know what I mean when I say it's was a memory for life, right??

After the gig, Roger Wooton (Comus) came into our dressing room and said he was really impressed with the show. He was smiling and going off on how tight we were. Can you imagine, this guy who I've been worshipping since the mid 90´s is giving me compliments?

I was almost honoured to the point where I was tearing up.

I talked to all of Comus about setting up a additional show together with Opeth. They all seemed really keen on the idea so we'll see what happens.

Next up, after a few drinks I went to see a little bit of Trettioåriga kriget who were brilliant. Great sound, great choice of songs and they basically had the entire crowd spellbound it seemed. If you haven't heard these guys you're missing out I can tell you.

At 2 o clock in the morning, Mats & Morgan went on and it was one of the highlights of the trip. Wow! Just wow! This gig will go down in history. I think they played til 5 in the morning or something and at one point Fredrik Thordendal, Ia Eklundh joined and they played a few bits from Fredriks solo record "Sol niger within" for the first time to a crowd ever. It was nothing short of amazing! The amount of talent on that stage cannot really be measured with words. You'd had to be there to understand. Morgan Ågren has to be one of the best drummers in the world. I was very impressed with the bass player, Gustaf Hielm. Lasse Hollmer also played the accordion and other instruments and well…it was just insane. They did a bunch of Zappa numbers too, "Black page" for instance…yeah, you should have been there suckahh!

I was basically mobbed walking around, stopped for photos and autographs all the time, but even though it's actually kinda hard work sometimes I really appreciated it. I guess, so many things have happened and we've been away for some time I guess it just felt really good to know that so many people still hold us in high regard and are as excited about the future of Opeth as we are. Thanks to all of you!

Next day, first up was Bo Hansson and it was a real nice low key performance. I was sipping on a drink with my wife and daughter and a few friends, and we're all nodding along to the music. He played some pure classics off the "Lord of the rings" record. He did "Tax free" and overall it sounded great. It resembled a 60´s party somehow.

Then it was time for Nathalie, Axe and Mendez with friends. I was really impressed with Nat's voice, as I'm sure all of you guys watching were. The harmony vocals we're really tight too. Very impressive! The only problem was that the boat was rocking a little here and I felt slightly sick so I couldnät see the entire set. It was a pleasant encounter nevertheless. Fun to see Axe playing guitar. Is he threatening my position now???

After a quick drink with Jonas we went down to see the main reason why I was on the boat: Comus! They started with "Song to Comus" and my eyes we're teating up. I wanted to cry right there. With joy of course. I was amazed, and the crowd was simply entranced…going berserk! It was lovely to hear everyone singing especially loud on the line "By the baying of the hounds"…I felt really proud!

Bobbie looked as she'd been in a time capsule since 1971 and her voice was as intact. Wow! Amazing! Roger was great, and overflowing with emotion as he delivered the lyrics that's meant so much to me over the years. Glen played like a god, "The herald" caused shivers on my spine. Basically they blasted through most of the album, my favourite was probably "Drip drip"! I feel slightly lost for words and I can't believe I have seen them live. I hope there will be more concerts…we'll have to make it happen!

After the show I went down to congratulate them and they very all overwhelmed by the crowd reaction. I talked to all of them, including Colin Pearson who I didn't meet on my UK trip. He turned out to a perfect gentleman, real nice down to earth guy with loads of interesting stories.

Next up was Katatonia who delivered a really solid set I think. They're tight as fuck and Jonas sang really well! They're still one of the best metal bands in the world as far as I'm concerned. I went up and did "Murder" with them. It was fun but probably the most out of tune version of any song, ever! By this time the boat was rocking so much I was literally on the verge of vomiting on the front row. After a quick beer I went off to bed and basically passed out instantly. So I missed Leafhound but heard it was awesome. Per was playing "Breakthrough" and "Growers of mushroom" with them and said he enjoyed it a lot. Pete French was really on form he told me! Pete French obviously did the vocals on Atomic roosters "In hearing of" record and Vincent Crane is one of the main influences of Per so I guess he was happy to do this. He even had the trademark Crane bandana on.

The next day I woke up and we basically freshened ourselves up a little and got off. Steve Wilson and Lasse Hoile came along over to our house for lunch. As did Jonas and his girlfriend Nina. A perfect calm ending to a perfect wild trip!

Well, just wanted to let you know what you missed out on! Not rubbing it in or anything….well, really…in fact, yes I am! Sucker!!!

Love ya peeps!

Cheers

Mike