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Mikael Åkerfeldt



Last Updated: 11/18/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Married
Age: 35
Sign: Aries

Country: SE
Signup Date: 4/26/2006
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 
...is possible the greatest "heavy" record I've heard in the last 10 years. Most people know my history with them and also my friendship with the guys. Jonas and I have been best buddies for the last 18 years or so.

Everytime Opeth or Katatonia has a new record we arrange a small private listening party. Usually with myself, Anders and Jonas. For years we've managed to record albums around the same time and had both the new Opeth album and the new Katatonia album played back on the same session. It's always great fun, however disciplined.

You can't talk during playback (death penalty), you listen to the album all the way through twice, and then we have the "comments". Everything is washed down with beer or wine...there might be snacks on the table.

Well, 2 days after the new Katatonia album is mastered here we are, holed up in a friends apartment ready to go through the new masterpiece by Katatonia. And it truly is a masterpiece! I have not been this taken back by an album for a long time. I almost had tears in my eyes. It's an absolutely stunning piece of music! Easily their most progressive and emotional record as far as I'm concerned.

The finale is almost too much to bear. Here we have some guest vocals by Enter the hunt kingpin, Krister Linder (Chris Lancelot to some) and it's quite fucking moving to say the least.

I've always been a fan of Katatonia. Ever since I heard their first demo back in 1991 or 1992, and I thought they sounded like Opeth, haha! This record however is their crown jewel so far.

It's an album that is "more" than the music that's on there.

How often do I plug something that's not from 1971? It gives you an indication where I stand on the matter maybe?

Cheers
Mike

6:00 AM
 
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noe

 
well, i'm sold

 
Posted by noe on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:13 AM
[Reply to this] 
Austin

 
Damn, I was pretty excited for the new album, but now I'm probably gonna be counting down the seconds after reading this!

 
Posted by Austin on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:16 AM
[Reply to this] 
Vivi1974G

 
Cheers!
 
Posted by Vivi1974G on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:16 AM
[Reply to this] 
Paul
Paul Cashman

 
It shall be mine ASAP.
Some friends and I raised a collective glass to you this past weekend at ProgPower USA, Mike...we kinda regarded you as an absent fellow-traveller.   Cheers!

 
Posted by Paul on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:22 AM
[Reply to this] 
¿§æπ?
Sean Kruse

 
Coming from you, this means great things.

 
Posted by ¿§æπ? on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:26 AM
[Reply to this] 
Μμ
Bryan Serrano

 
im gonna check it out! cheers!
 
Posted by Μμ on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 AM
[Reply to this] 
Ante
Andreas Kullberg

 
Good morning. You have me convinced. Now I need proof, get me a record!

 
Posted by Ante on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:48 AM
[Reply to this] 
Thomas :D
Thomas Yes

 
If you say it's good Mikael, then I know it's good. I trust your taste in music. :)


I'll check them out! Never heard of them, haha.

 
Posted by Thomas :D on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:51 AM
[Reply to this] 
Thomas Green
Thomas Green

 
Yeah I'll have to invest.

 
Posted by Thomas Green on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 7:04 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephen

 
Katatonia is insanely rad. I can't wait to hear it.

 
Posted by Stephen on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 7:04 AM
[Reply to this] 
Nate, The Wizard
Nathan White

 
i'll check it out. haha from 71? i'm about to get a comus album tattoo lol.

 
Posted by Nate, The Wizard on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 7:04 AM
[Reply to this] 
Gergely Riba
Gergely Riba

 
gooood

 
Posted by Gergely Riba on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 7:12 AM
[Reply to this] 
ToRRential Rain
Illogical Conversions

 
i'm also that expectant.
 
Posted by ToRRential Rain on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 9:02 AM
[Reply to this] 
Brian Knop (Gravity Lies) Show 2/11

 
Sounds good!  Whatcha think of Porcupine's new effort?  I'm listening to it now.  Best album of 09 so far!  (Watershed won 08 so ya know)
 
Posted by Brian Knop (Gravity Lies) Show 2/11 on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 9:02 AM
[Reply to this] 
Katatonic

 
It has to be great with your approval

 
Posted by Katatonic on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 9:02 AM
[Reply to this] 
grozoeil

 
How lucky you are! Can't wait to hold this album between hands! What about a tour together???
 
Posted by grozoeil on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 9:02 AM
[Reply to this] 
KATRIN

 
nothing else left than curiousity....
Cheers to the best buddies!

 
Posted by KATRIN on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 9:03 AM
[Reply to this] 
†Travis Bickle†

 
I can't fucking wait to hear it... that new single online "Forsaker" is pure beauty!

 
Posted by †Travis Bickle† on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 9:03 AM
[Reply to this] 
Allison

 
They are amazing...when will you go on tour in the US together???  That will be the day I die content.

 
Posted by Allison on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Luucrezia Mortis
Luu Cruz

 
Haha wow!! I love the way that you describe it, i can't wait to hear the New Album!, Katatonia is always surprising me, and i love Jonas Voice and all are great musicians, i saw them Live and that was very fucking AWESOME!, thanks for your words, it's nice that two bands at least have a good relationship since a long time ago.

Regards and take care Mikael, you are GOD!!


 
Posted by Luucrezia Mortis on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Mattio
Matthew K

 
I figured it would be great, but now I know it'll be amazing. Im a big fan of Katatonia and opeth, so what mikael has said here is icing on the cake. Thanks Mike! To good friends and good music! ..........and a couple of drinks haha.
 
Posted by Mattio on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Little Annie Opeth

 
I love Katatonia...I'll have to give it a listen when it is released!

 
Posted by Little Annie Opeth on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
PMH

 
Well I thought the anticipation could not get any worse....thanx mike!

 
Posted by PMH on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Ruthie

 
Great!  Can't wait to pick it up..when does it release?
 
Posted by Ruthie on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
=River Runs Red=
Jon Fliehler

 
yeah me too...
 
Posted by =River Runs Red= on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Fran

 
Awesome! Cant wait for this album! :) Cheers Mike!

 
Posted by Fran on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
tony
tony guardalabene

 
now im even more excited to hear this album!!!  i cant wait to hear it!!!
 
Posted by tony on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Cody
Cody Deuel

 
cant wait till its out!

 
Posted by Cody on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Miatch

 
Thats awesome... i dont really listen to them but i definitely will be getting their new album! I trust your reviews of music more than anyones ;)

 
Posted by Miatch on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
quince-semanas

 
good man!!!!!!!!!

 
Posted by quince-semanas on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Versus

 
cheers

 
Posted by Versus on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Babalon

 
Can't wait to hear it!

 
Posted by Babalon on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Danny-O)))

 
I'm so looking forward to it =)

 
Posted by Danny-O))) on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
The Reverend Twitch

 
Not that an endorsement is really necessary prior to obtaining the new Katatonia record...you can't get much of a better endorsement than that!!!
 
Posted by The Reverend Twitch on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Christian

 
now i HAVE to buy it

 
Posted by Christian on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Chaos Divine

 
well fuck me that's got me sold
 
Posted by Chaos Divine on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Katy
Katherine Guajardo Cónsolo

 
The way you decribe it ... can wait to hear it !
Always is good to celebrate a masterpiece, cheers !!!!
 
Posted by Katy on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Cara Crider-High
Cara Crider High

 
Hummm, Not to put Opeth on the back burner, but I'm always looking for other bands that are worthy of being compared to you.  If YOU compare this band to your own, they must be amazing.  I will run out and check them out immediately.  Any recommendations on a first album I should get.  I started listening to Opeth on the Damnation album and worked my way back.  ;)

 
Posted by Cara Crider-High on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Monster! est.'89
Alex Pentecost

 
Iv never heard katatonia, but this blog has given me enough reason to go out to the shops and buy the record as soon as its up for sale.
Thanks Mikael
 
Posted by Monster! est.'89 on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Helge-Uwe

 
great! and yeah, what about an opeth/katatonia tour? double headliner maybe?
that would be far too awesome :) 
 
Posted by Helge-Uwe on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Lu1z4o

 
I..m sure it will be a truly masterpiece once again!!

 
Posted by Lu1z4o on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
BLIZZARD BEAST
Scott Cameron

 
i fucking love katatonia, right down to dance of december souls, for funerals to come and forward.  they are one of the freshest things to come out of sweden ever.

cannot wait for the new one

 
Posted by BLIZZARD BEAST on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Brandon
Brandon Brown

 
Check out a band called To-Mera.  They are super-progressive like you guys, with awesome keyboards and a chick singer.  They're right next to Opeth as my favorite band :)

 
Posted by Brandon on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
João Piruças

 
Ordered the album, can't fucking wait!

 
Posted by João Piruças on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
RAUBRITTER
Damen Barbee

 
This analysis on the upcoming new album is making me more excited about the new forthcoming album!

 
Posted by RAUBRITTER on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
HELEN V.A/'RIVERSIDE'/7 MAY/ATHENS

 
we always give trust on your words cause you are great and honest musician too..
be well mike! we love you for that you are...

 
Posted by HELEN V.A/'RIVERSIDE'/7 MAY/ATHENS on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
That all around good guy.

 
Katona is awesome as well! good stuff!

 
Posted by That all around good guy. on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
John
Johannes Uhde

 
I'm already fucking pumped to hear whether they could top The Great Cold Distance, which is imo their best record so far.. can't wait to hear the piece!

 
Posted by John on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:36 PM
[Reply to this] 
L0ck3 @ Obszön Geschöpf

 
Wow! What a review!!! I can't wait to listen to this album!
 
Posted by L0ck3 @ Obszön Geschöpf on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:36 PM
[Reply to this] 
Jeremy

 
Katatonia are awesome, I will be buying it ASAP

 
Posted by Jeremy on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:36 PM
[Reply to this] 
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