Metal Hammer's Golden Gods 2014 - Mikael Åkerfeldt Interview | Metal Hammer 

If you are saying Opeth is selling out then you haven't been watching his interviews. He writes music he enjoys and doesn't care what you think. That is his whole mantra

William Ross It's all well and good that he enjoys it, but most fans know the difference between a band giving into the new industry and making good music.

DropdaLTDtoB ahmmmm that´s kind of your opinion because I´m a die hard Opeth fan and I Iove Heritage as much as I love Blackwater park. Besides your comment proves that they are not selling out otherwise you´d have no complains on the forthcoming album but yet here you are complainig about this new music genre they are embracing, most likely because it´s not "Metal" anymore or the growls a are gone you name it but the thing is that they are moving on and so should we as a fan base of this band. But if you don´t like it or you just can´t accept the fact that they are most likely not going to record another Death metal album well please do not complain about it and keep listening to the "good old days" where they still wrote "good songs". :)

Lou Pelos That's fine. I just hope you're not someone who thinks just because i don't like the new stuff that i'm close minded. Because i'm really not, i just don't enjoy it.

DropdaLTDtoB Well you sounded a bit closed minded to me but then again that comparison to Metallica was uncalled for. Now, I know that opeth is not that doomish death metal band that it used to be but that doesn´t mean they aren´t good or that they don´t put the same effort and care as in BWP or previous records, that just means that their style is diferent and whether you like it or not is up to you. To me, well all I can say is that I can´t wait to hear their new record. And if you haven´t heard about it they have already released one song It´s called "Cusp of eternity" so if you haven´t listened it you should really check it out and maybe be hyped or disapointed depending on whether you like it or not.

Dood, you really need to move on and follow some other bands if everything you feel the need to say is negative.

CikisHelyzet I would, and i respect whatever Mikael chooses to do, like every other artist, even if it is not for me. But when he walks around telling people he thinks modern metal sounds like "nothing" (true quote from a recent metal injection interview) it really eats at me that he spent 20 years making some of the most innovative metal there was, and now he just decides out of nowhere that he doesn't want to push it any further. I guess he was tried of being an original artist.

DropdaLTDtoB That's your subjective opinion of what a true artist is. He also said he thought he was just getting too old to relate to what young people consider metal today, and that it could be generational, (true quote from recent interview). I don't know how old you are, but over time things change, people change. One has to accept this as a process of maturation. Otherwise you're sitting around singing songs from glory days, not evolving. Nobody wants to be that cheeseball line. It doesn't suit you.. fair enough. But leave us in peace to enjoy this shit. At least when Mike is giving his opinion about the state of metal and music, someone is actually asking him the question. He's not just walking around beating everyone over the head with his shitty attitude. It's simple ... just move on. Be happy somewhere else. Retire your Opeth shirts. I'm sure there is life beyond. No need to be bitter.

CikisHelyzet The thing is, i do agree with what you have said, but i feel i want to say these things (yeah, its online but whatever) because the "like nothing" quote is childish and simply insulting, and as everyone understands, it is just music, so comments like that are plain stupid about artforms. That whole thing about him not understanding the new generation of metal, i find that so weird from Mikael. His older music was straight up completely original in my opinion, i don't believe any bands have come close to that mix of diversity and a recognisable sound at the same time. I feel he is putting down all that great music he made in the past by talking about "what the new generation wants" because he never aimed to please all the young metal fans today in my opinion. He found a distinct sound for his music, got a line up together and created an original band from the ground up. I don't believe he ever tried to please the fans, other than sticking to what he was known for and exploring those musical ideas, building a loyal fanbase through consistency. Thanks for talking, i hope i have been clear enough :)

DropdaLTDtoB Fair enough. I understand what you're saying. It was a flip comment about a genre of music that has been good to him. It's like he's taking a dump on it now. He has a lot of negative shit coming his way since Heritage ... it was really an onslaught. So, he made an uncalculated comment. Responding like a human being. I don't think we need to obsess on the semantics of his words. Every single one of us would be in a lot of trouble if we were constantly being recorded and being called out on every word that comes out. I understand how this can feel off-putting. I am a fan of heavier Opeth. My fav album is probably Orchid. I don't think he is putting down that music at all. What were you doing 20 years ago? He goes back and rediscovers his own shit. Realize in everything you've said, Mikael is still doing today what you said he did in the past. Not aiming to please, (at his peril), finding a distinctive sound, continues to build a strong lineup, and builds a loyal fan base through consistency. They are still Opeth. People stick a mic in his face and ask him to defend his work. Just give him some space as an artist. Don't take it so personally, (even though it's hard when we fucken LOVE them). When he stops making music or disappears from the face of the earth, only then will so many of us be able to appreciate the body of work he has given us. I rue that day, so whether or not I miss growls (I fkn do!!) I'm going to approach his shit with childlike curiosity and be glad he gave me something more. There is a reason we don't get what we want, exactly the way we want it. I don't think it's creatively possible to evolve and stay the same. I would much rather this... than the Metallica road. (sorry to make the Metallica comparison, but it's a relevant one). Yes, you've been very articulate. Thanks for your thoughtful response. :)