It's ridiculous how Mikael claims he doesn't know anything about music theory yet he has written some of the most harmonically complex metal songs ever.
I was also very surprised, their discography is amazing and quite complex :)) Probably when he says he doesn`t know music theory he means that he can`t read music and doesn`t know about loads of the reasons why things sound great together but he is able to understand basic concepts and can do a lot with them. When I composed my first small things on piano it was without having a good idea why things sound good together but I just tried different chords from the scale and saw how they work. Later on I understand what`s going on :)) Probably he can play 50 different chords that sound great in a scale you give him without having to know exactly why. Maybe it`s a good things that he`s not into music theory as I like that the Opeth songs are composed based on emotions (as he mentions) not on a "I can play fast and I know music theory, watch me shredding for 4 minutes" way which I saw that can be a down side on some of the bands. As an example I think that Jordan from Dream Theater is an absolutely amazing keyboard player and he can produce some amazing piano parts but he chooses to go too far with the complexity of his parts and sometimes it passes the border between being a very nice melodic part that fits the song and a part where he throws loads of interesting things musically and great skills but not something that is perfect for the song:) That`s why some people think that Kevin Moore was a better fit for DT I think , as he had more simple compositions but they remained as the best piano parts from Dream theater.
@@fansee1368 Fredrick in some interviews talks about the modal usage in some riffs/guitar solos. So I'm sure Mikael knows the music theory, but doesn't focus on stuff like "This song is going to be in F# Phrygian" and/or doesn't have good knowledge of the jargon people associate with "music theory"
@@hoozimajiget That's how I understand it too. You don't need to know the names of everything to know what is a chord or just some retarded finger placements making a broken or not at all nice sounding/ringing not or string of notes If you have a basic idea and a good ear for what notes works together in a sequence you can create complexity in practicality whithout necessarily knowing the theory, how and what behind it.
@@codarceasabinbogdan1397 I love DT but have to agree with you on Rudess but don't necessarily blame him. I know what you mean in that he overplays at times, and am of the belief that he tends to enable some of Petrucci's worst habits. Presence pt. 2 solo is what I mean. He has increasingly been delegated to a lesser role in the band over the years and essentially acts as a second guitar. You could barely hear him anywhere on D/T. Scenes is his finest hour, hands down. Moore wasn't as technically proficient as Rudess but his work was much more atmospheric and had a lot of character. It served the music better. Chroma Key has some okay stuff but it's not my thing.. Sometimes I like to just listen to Moore's compositions to hear what could have been. I like them both for different reasons.
he's just on another level, for me atleast. but there are a lot of people that don't get that, and that's okay. I like that Opeth is not Mainstream at all.
@@Ar1AnX1x true, when I first listened to Opeth though I hated it. Thought it was boring, but after listening to them multiple times, My eyes were opened and they are now one of my favorite bands. I think people just need to give them another try in order to understand them
Man i wanna tattoo your comment on my chest😁....that's why you won't get tired from listening to his songs....it gets better evertime you listen to them.
@@MrEnsiferum77 I'm sorry but even without growls, Opeth is Opeth. They have always had the progressive rock element since day 1. Plus, Mikael even said that Opeth is still heavy and that growls don't matter. All it has to do to be heavy is the structure of the song from lyrical content, instrumentals and production. Opeth is still heavy, just not as heavy as you think. If you want growls, just listen to their old albums. Don't complain to me or the band.
@@MrEnsiferum77 I kinda get what you mean but it's not like the depth of a song is depended on growls. I like their Progressive Death Metal songs far better but I'm not gonna expect them to force themselves to do what they don't want to do.
He also played keys on Hatfield and the North's first two AMAZING AMAZING albums, especially The Rotters Club. National Health too! Incredible musician, but so is Msr Aekerfeldt!
Native English speaker here. I honestly don't really enjoy the English versions of the released material as much as the Swedish versions regardless of my inability to understand the lyrics. The Swedish originals are so much more emotive and passionate. I don't think I'll be listening to the English version once it comes out. No need to be insecure, Mikael.
Just so you all know. My first musical experience that I purchased on my own and went on my own was watching this man play live shortly after the release of deliverance. Unforgettable
@@olle938 Ja det är nog sant. dessutom kan både Å på svenska och O på engelska uttalas lite olika beroende på ordet och dialekten så det är svårt att beskriva exakt med bara text.
Mikael looks well! TBH, In recent years, I was getting a little worried. At times, it has looked like he has been in declining health. But he looks much better here!
Yeah, he was getting very skinny and appeared sickly. It's very funny to see the photos from 20 years ago, when he was recording Still Life. Fat Mikael was hilarious.
That's what divorce does to you, especially when you have kids, and touring at the same time. Glad he's looking good these days too. Stress is one of the worst things, as much as drugs. Folks don't think that. But that's medical fact.
Though I'm still not the biggest fan of the latest albums (the new singles sound really promising, though), I love how he's as humble and modest as ever. He still seems like "just a guy who's having fun making albums", not "big rockstar who's about to drop album #13".
Don't know why but I love those Skrotnisse samples. Whenever I hear them I get the gritty image of those puppets in my head and it feels great. Probably a mix of nostalgia and something more. Whenever Lifelover used it in their songs I'd get all fuzzy inside.
Yeah I’ve been listening to the Swedish version so I have no idea what he’s singing about but his vocals are just gut wrenching at places and his voice sounds more raw than I’ve heard before. I’m quit smitten with the record.
I love Opeth, truly I do. Met them on the Heritage tour, amazing bunch of guys. I really appreciate their current musical direction, but I would give anything for another album in the vein of Blackwater Park, Ghost Reveries or Watershed. I hope they're not totally done with that facet of their music. I like the new stuff, but I find I keep going back to pre Heritage albums again and again.
From my memory Skrotnisse was on TV in the 80´s, i looked it up and i was correct it had its debut in 1985 on SVT (Swedish national TV), but it was recorded between 1978 and 1983, so that may be what Mikael ment.
I plan on having them both. The Swedish songs I heard are amazing and different vocally in ways then the English version. I will listen to the English version first of course to know what he is saying and then listen to the other to see the arrangement differences. Cant wait.
"Heavy" in an emotional sense... yeah... if I may add In Caude Venenum is completely soul-crushing; you know - when you're half-way through the album and suddenly realize that you've been staring into the great nihilistic abyss and then start hearing echoes of the existential crisis you've been trying so hard to avoid approaching? This is the dark gift that is Opeth.
BRO DAVID STEWART TRANSCRIBED THE ORCHESTRATIONS??? THATS BADASS Kinda like how Florian from Alkaloid and Noneuclid did for Deconstruction by Devin uwu (and Ziltoid 2 as well unless I'm mistaken) EDIT: NVM there are two David Stewarts rip lol
Bad move. They are all great albums in their own merits. Just dont expect a repetition of their heavier stuff and it should be fine. Heritage for one is a phenomenal record if you put aside comparing it to the likes of blackwater park
@@zonta.Ivan.navarro Even being in that mindset, Heritage could have been better for me, I feel there are weak parts of the album. Sorceress was such a disappointment to me. Title track is cool (especially live when they transition it with Cusp Of Eternity) but after 4 or 5 songs it became (to me) this generic rehash of 70s prog thing that I felt was kind of unnecessary. I hoped the extra tracks would be different but they were even worse. It still probably isn't a bad album, just a weak Opeth album IMO (and I dont mean when comparing it to old Opeth but the band as a whole, it was just boring)
Artec619 I understand, though I disagree out of personal opinion; but maybe heritage will grow on you someday, cause it sure did on me; spooky tunes. Cheers bro!
If there is a translation in the booklet i don't see why singing in Swedish would be a problem at all. Understanding the meaning can enhance the musical experience, that's for sure. It may be a problem when you're talking but definitely not when singing!
That childrens show he's talking about was awesome, but also fucking creepy as a child. Bizarre characters and the animation was something else A clip: /watch?v=Zn4IwxasvHM
