Mikael Åkerfeldt
Encyclopedia
Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt (ˈoːkərfɛlt) (born 17 April 1974
) is a Swedish
musician
who achieved fame as the lead vocalist
, guitarist
and songwriter
of progressive death metal band Opeth
as well as the lead vocalist of death metal
band Bloodbath
. He was the vocalist and guitarist for the band Sörskogen
and the guitarist of the band Steel
. He is known for his progressive rock
-influenced songwriting style and his frequent use of both clean
and growled
vocals.
Mikael and Peter Lindgren
were ranked #42 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal
Guitarists of all time by Guitar World
. Akerfeldt was also ranked 9th place in the book "Top 100 Heavy Metal Guitarists
".
, Mikael Åkerfeldt was the vocalist for Eruption, a death metal band which he formed in 1988. After Eruption came to an end in 1990, he joined Opeth, ostensibly as a bassist. When vocalist David Isberg
insisted Åkerfeldt join the band, all other members left. Isberg assumed guitar duties, and when he left Opeth two years later, Åkerfeldt replaced him as the vocalist. Åkerfeldt performed the death vocals on Katatonia's album Brave Murder Day and Sounds of Decay EP.
Åkerfeldt is a collector of obscure 1970s rock and heavy metal albums. He also tends to show his influence from these obscure bands, making reference to them in Opeth album titles such as Blackwater Park
, Still Life
and My Arms, Your Hearse
, as well as songs such as "Master's Apprentices". He is also influenced extensively by both jazz
and the musician Ritchie Blackmore
.
On 15 August 2003, Mikael Åkerfeldt married his longtime girlfriend, Anna Sandberg. On 13 September 2004, Anna gave birth to a daughter whom they named Melinda. The couple had their second daughter, Mirjam Ebba Maria Åkerfeldt, on 28 October 2007.
Åkerfeldt is known to be good friends with Steven Wilson
, the frontman of one of his favorite bands, Porcupine Tree
; Mike Portnoy
, former drummer of Dream Theater
(he is featured in their music video for Wither
); and Jonas Renkse
of Katatonia
. He is also presumed to be the basis for the character Toki Wartooth from the popular cartoon Metalocalypse
, as divulged in an interview with ultimate-guitar.com.
1974 in music
-January–April:*January 3 – Bob Dylan and The Band kick off their 40-date concert tour at Chicago Stadium. It's Dylan's first time on the road since 1966.*January 17...
) is a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
who achieved fame as the lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
of progressive death metal band Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
as well as the lead vocalist of death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band Bloodbath
Bloodbath
Bloodbath is a Swedish death metal supergroup from Stockholm formed in 1998.-History:A year after being formed, the band, then consisting of Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals, Dan Swanö on drums, Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström on guitar, and Jonas Renkse on bass, released their EP Breeding...
. He was the vocalist and guitarist for the band Sörskogen
Sörskogen
Sörskogen was a Swedish progressive rock project Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth and Dan Swanö started for fun. Both musicians are known for their wide musical interests. The project was supposedly named after a small community near the Stockholm suburb Huddinge where Mikael practiced with his first band...
and the guitarist of the band Steel
Steel (band)
Steel is a one-off power metal project from Sweden that featured Dan Swanö and members of Opeth. Started in 1996, this collaboration emerged during the recording sessions for Opeth's Morningrise album. During a jam session, when the band were soundchecking the drums, they hit upon an idea to record...
. He is known for his progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
-influenced songwriting style and his frequent use of both clean
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
and growled
Death growl
A death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
vocals.
Mikael and Peter Lindgren
Peter Lindgren (musician)
Peter Lindgren is a Swedish musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former guitarist of Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth...
were ranked #42 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
Guitarists of all time by Guitar World
Guitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
. Akerfeldt was also ranked 9th place in the book "Top 100 Heavy Metal Guitarists
The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists
The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists is a book by British author Joel McIver, published in 2009 by Jawbone Press and featuring a foreword by Glen Benton of Deicide. Foreign-language editions appeared shortly after the original English language version. It contained a list of 100 guitar players in...
".
Career and biographical details
A native of StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Mikael Åkerfeldt was the vocalist for Eruption, a death metal band which he formed in 1988. After Eruption came to an end in 1990, he joined Opeth, ostensibly as a bassist. When vocalist David Isberg
David Isberg
David Isberg is a Swedish musician, most famous for having founded seminal Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth. David Isberg is also known as DJ Dake, having a successful DJ career with independent and electronic music, often influenced by the magical Madchester scene...
insisted Åkerfeldt join the band, all other members left. Isberg assumed guitar duties, and when he left Opeth two years later, Åkerfeldt replaced him as the vocalist. Åkerfeldt performed the death vocals on Katatonia's album Brave Murder Day and Sounds of Decay EP.
Åkerfeldt is a collector of obscure 1970s rock and heavy metal albums. He also tends to show his influence from these obscure bands, making reference to them in Opeth album titles such as Blackwater Park
Blackwater Park
Blackwater Park is the fifth studio album by Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth. It was released on February 27, 2001 through Music for Nations and Koch Records...
, Still Life
Still Life (Opeth album)
Still Life is the fourth studio album from Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth. The album was produced and engineered by Opeth "under the watchful eye" of Fredrik Nordström.-Style:...
and My Arms, Your Hearse
My Arms, Your Hearse
My Arms, Your Hearse is Opeth's third studio album, released in 1998. This album marks a large stylistic change from their previous release, Morningrise, especially production-wise...
, as well as songs such as "Master's Apprentices". He is also influenced extensively by both jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and the musician Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
.
On 15 August 2003, Mikael Åkerfeldt married his longtime girlfriend, Anna Sandberg. On 13 September 2004, Anna gave birth to a daughter whom they named Melinda. The couple had their second daughter, Mirjam Ebba Maria Åkerfeldt, on 28 October 2007.
Åkerfeldt is known to be good friends with Steven Wilson
Steven Wilson
Steven John Wilson is an English musician, best known as the founder, lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of progressive rock band Porcupine Tree...
, the frontman of one of his favorite bands, Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
; Mike Portnoy
Mike Portnoy
Michael Stephen "Mike" Portnoy is an American drummer primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and a co-founder of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, as well as the temporary drummer for the hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold. Known for his drumming prowess and technical...
, former drummer of Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
(he is featured in their music video for Wither
Wither (EP)
Wither is a single and EP by progressive metal band Dream Theater, released on September 15, 2009, it was their first EP since A Change of Seasons...
); and Jonas Renkse
Jonas Renkse
Jonas Petter Renkse is a founding member, songwriter, lead vocalist and ex-drummer of the band Katatonia, founding member, songwriter, bassist, backing vocalist, ex-guitarist of the band Bloodbath and member of Sailors With Wax Wings.He was also the founding member, drummer, vocalist, guitarist...
of Katatonia
Katatonia
Katatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström .-1991-1993:The early Katatonia releases, such as the EP Jhva Elohim Meth.....
. He is also presumed to be the basis for the character Toki Wartooth from the popular cartoon Metalocalypse
Metalocalypse
Metalocalypse is an American animated television series, created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha, which premiered on August 6, 2006 on Adult Swim...
, as divulged in an interview with ultimate-guitar.com.
Solo album
Mikael Åkerfeldt revealed in September 2009 that he is contemplating recording a singer-songwriter acoustic solo album.Equipment
Akerfeldt uses 3 different tunings: E Standard, Drop D and Open D minor 9 (D-A-D-F-A-E). He has almost exclusively used PRS guitars since the Deliverance/Damnation era and has his own signature model.Electric guitars
- PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
Custom 24 (Tortoise shell flame top) - GibsonGibson Guitar CorporationThe Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
Flying V ('67 Reissue) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
Custom 24 (Blue Flame Top) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
Custom 24 (Black Quilt) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
Custom 24 (Black) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
SC 245 (Black Cherry) - Fender Stratocaster 1975 (Black)
- Fender Stratocaster 1972 Reissue (Natural)
- GibsonGibson Guitar CorporationThe Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
Les Paul Standard V.O.S. (Tobacco Sunburst) - B.C. RichB.C. RichB.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars founded by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are manufactured in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. The Hanser Music Group, based in Kentucky, operates B.C....
Mockingbird (Black) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
22 fret Modern Eagle (Grey Flame Top) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
Modern Eagle Single Cut 24 Fret (Wine Flame Matte Top) - GibsonGibson Guitar CorporationThe Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
SG Standard 1961 Reissue - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
Custom 22 12-String (Black) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
Singlecut (Black Quilt) - PRSPRS GuitarsPRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
SE Mikael Åkerfeldt Signature Guitar
Acoustic guitars/Steel string
- CF MartinC. F. Martin & CompanyC.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
(with Fishman Pickup) - CF MartinC. F. Martin & CompanyC.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
00016GT - TakamineTakamine Guitarsis a Japanese guitar manufacturer based in Nakatsugawa, Gifu, Japan. Takamine is known for its steel-string guitars.The company was founded in May 1962; in 1978 they were one of the first companies to introduce acoustic-electric models, where they pioneered the design of the preamp-equalizer...
12 String - SeagullSeagull (Guitars)Seagull is a Canadian company and sub-brand of Godin Guitars that produces acoustic guitars. Born out of La Patrie, a small village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, this company hand crafts acoustic guitars targeted towards working musicians...
(with Fishman Pickup) - CF MartinC. F. Martin & CompanyC.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
000-28
Amps
- LaneyLaney AmplificationLaney Amplification is a British brand of guitar/bass guitar amplifiers and cabinets, and also public address systems.-History:Laney Amplification officially began on September 1st, 1967....
GH100L with cabinet - LaneyLaney AmplificationLaney Amplification is a British brand of guitar/bass guitar amplifiers and cabinets, and also public address systems.-History:Laney Amplification officially began on September 1st, 1967....
VH100R - LaneyLaney AmplificationLaney Amplification is a British brand of guitar/bass guitar amplifiers and cabinets, and also public address systems.-History:Laney Amplification officially began on September 1st, 1967....
VC30 - Fender 1000 Rocpro
- Fractal Audio Axe-FxFractal Audio Axe-FXFractal Audio Axe-Fx is an all in one electric guitar preamplifier/effects processor made by Fractal Audio Systems LLC., in Plaistow, New Hampshire. The processor is a two-space rack unit. The first version, called simply Axe-Fx, was introduced in 2006. Axe-Fx Ultra was introduced in 2008...
Ultra preamp / effects processor
with Opeth
- Orchid (1995)
- MorningriseMorningriseMorningrise is the second studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth. It was released on June 24, 1996 in Europe by Candlelight Records and on June 24, 1997 in the United States by Century Black. The recording sessions took place at Unisound studio, in Örebro, between March and April...
(1996) - My Arms, Your HearseMy Arms, Your HearseMy Arms, Your Hearse is Opeth's third studio album, released in 1998. This album marks a large stylistic change from their previous release, Morningrise, especially production-wise...
(1998) - Still LifeStill Life (Opeth album)Still Life is the fourth studio album from Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth. The album was produced and engineered by Opeth "under the watchful eye" of Fredrik Nordström.-Style:...
(1999) - Blackwater ParkBlackwater ParkBlackwater Park is the fifth studio album by Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth. It was released on February 27, 2001 through Music for Nations and Koch Records...
(2001) - Deliverance (2002)
- DamnationDamnation (album)-Notes:# The vocal melody in the chorus of "To Rid the Disease" is borrowed from a track recorded by Mikael Åkerfeldt's sideproject Sörskogen, "Mordet i Grottan".-Opeth:* Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitar; producing and engineering...
(2003) - Lamentations (Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire 2003)Lamentations (Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire 2003)Lamentations is Opeth's first live DVD, released under the Music For Nations label in 2004. This live recording at the Shepherd's Bush Empire on Thursday 25 September 2003, features Opeth playing the album Damnation in its entirety, followed by some of the band's songs from Blackwater Park and...
(2003) - Ghost ReveriesGhost Reveries-Notes:# "Ghost of Perdition" is included in the soundtrack for the video game Saint's Row 2 on the radio station Krunch 106.66.# "The Baying of the Hounds" is partially inspired by lyrics from the song "Diana" from Comus's album First Utterance. The lyrics are "And she knows by the sound of the...
(2005) - The Roundhouse TapesThe Roundhouse Tapes-Disc Two:-DVD:# "When" − 10:28# "Ghost of Perdition" − 10:57# "Under the Weeping Moon" − 10:28# "Bleak" − 8:39# "Face of Melinda" − 9:58# "The Night and the Silent Water" − 10:29# "Windowpane" − 8:01# "Blackwater Park" − 18:59# "Demon of the Fall" − 8:13...
(2007) - WatershedWatershed (Opeth album)Watershed is the ninth full-length studio album by the Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth. Published by Roadrunner Records, the album's special edition was released first as a music download on the Italian iTunes Stores on May 19, 2008.Watershed is the first studio album by Opeth to...
(2008) - In Live Concert at the Royal Albert HallIn Live Concert at the Royal Albert HallIn Live Concert at the Royal Albert Hall is a live double album by the Swedish progressive death metal band, Opeth. The DVD was recorded on April 5, 2010 and was released on September 20, 2010 in Europe and on September 21, 2010 in the rest of the world...
(2010) - HeritageHeritage (Opeth album)Heritage is the tenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth, released on 13 September 2011 by Roadrunner Records.The album was recorded in early 2011 at Atlantis studios in Stockholm, Sweden. It was produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt, engineered by Janne Hansson and mixed by Steven Wilson...
(2011)
with Katatonia
- Brave Murder DayBrave Murder Day- Notes :# "Murder" & "Rainroom" is featured on Brave Yester Days.# "12" is a re-recorded version of the song Black Erotica from the W.A.R. Compilation Volume 1...
(1996) - Sounds of DecaySounds of Decay-Katatonia:* Blackheim – guitar* Fredrik Norrman – guitar; bass* Jonas Renkse – drum kit...
(1997) – EP - Discouraged OnesDiscouraged OnesDiscouraged Ones is the third full-length album by Katatonia. The album was released in 1998.This is the last Katatonia release with Mikael Oretoft...
(1998) – backing vocals, co-production on vocals
with Bloodbath
- Breeding DeathBreeding DeathProduced and engineered by Dan Swanö. Lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Jonas Renkse. Recorded and mixed at The Sanctuary in Sweden.-Credits:*Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals*Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström – guitar*Jonas Renkse – bass*Dan Swanö – drums...
(2000) - EP - Resurrection Through CarnageResurrection through CarnageResurrection Through Carnage, released in 2002 on Century Media Records, is the first full album release from Swedish death metal group Bloodbath...
(2002) - The Wacken CarnageThe Wacken CarnageThe Wacken Carnage is a CD/DVD set of the death metal band Bloodbath at a very rare live appearance recorded on August 5, 2005 at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany....
(2008, CD/DVD) - Unblessing the PurityUnblessing the PurityUnblessing the Purity is an EP by Swedish death metal supergroup Bloodbath on Peaceville Records. It is their first release since Resurrection Through Carnage to include Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals. Per 'Sodomizer' Eriksson replaced Dan Swanö on guitar beginning with this EP. The cover art is by...
(2008) - The Fathomless MasteryThe Fathomless MasteryThe Fathomless Mastery is the third full length album by the Swedish death metal band Bloodbath. It is the first full length Bloodbath release to feature the new guitarist Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson. Former Scar Symmetry vocalist Christian Älvestam did guest vocals on the sixth track, "Iesous"...
(2008) - Bloodbath Over BloodstockBloodbath Over BloodstockBloodbath Over Bloodstock is a live DVD by Swedish death metal band Bloodbath. It features the entire live set the band played at Bloodstock Open Air in August 2010. It was filmed by the production company The Dark Box...
(2011, DVD)
Appearances
- AyreonAyreonAyreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica...
: Åkerfeldt sings the parts of Fear in The Human EquationThe Human EquationThe Human Equation is the sixth album by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, released under the name Ayreon. It was released on May 25, 2004. As with other Ayreon albums, it features guest appearances from several musicians previously unrelated to the project, including James LaBrie of Dream Theater, Mikael...
, the 2004 release. - BloodbathBloodbathBloodbath is a Swedish death metal supergroup from Stockholm formed in 1998.-History:A year after being formed, the band, then consisting of Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals, Dan Swanö on drums, Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström on guitar, and Jonas Renkse on bass, released their EP Breeding...
: Åkerfeldt is currently the vocalist for BloodbathBloodbathBloodbath is a Swedish death metal supergroup from Stockholm formed in 1998.-History:A year after being formed, the band, then consisting of Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals, Dan Swanö on drums, Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström on guitar, and Jonas Renkse on bass, released their EP Breeding...
. He was with the band from 2000 to 2004, and can be heard on their Breeding DeathBreeding DeathProduced and engineered by Dan Swanö. Lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Jonas Renkse. Recorded and mixed at The Sanctuary in Sweden.-Credits:*Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals*Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström – guitar*Jonas Renkse – bass*Dan Swanö – drums...
and Resurrection Through CarnageResurrection through CarnageResurrection Through Carnage, released in 2002 on Century Media Records, is the first full album release from Swedish death metal group Bloodbath...
releases. He also performed live with them at Wacken Open AirWacken Open AirWacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
in 2005. On 30 January 2008 it was announced on the official Bloodbath website that Åkerfeldt had rejoined the band. He later performed the vocals for their latest EP release Unblessing the PurityUnblessing the PurityUnblessing the Purity is an EP by Swedish death metal supergroup Bloodbath on Peaceville Records. It is their first release since Resurrection Through Carnage to include Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals. Per 'Sodomizer' Eriksson replaced Dan Swanö on guitar beginning with this EP. The cover art is by...
which has been out on limited release since March 10, 2008. Their most recent album, The Fathomless MasteryThe Fathomless MasteryThe Fathomless Mastery is the third full length album by the Swedish death metal band Bloodbath. It is the first full length Bloodbath release to feature the new guitarist Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson. Former Scar Symmetry vocalist Christian Älvestam did guest vocals on the sixth track, "Iesous"...
, is Mikael's first full-length release with Bloodbath since 2002's Resurrection Through CarnageResurrection through CarnageResurrection Through Carnage, released in 2002 on Century Media Records, is the first full album release from Swedish death metal group Bloodbath...
. - CandlemassCandlemassCandlemass are an influential Swedish doom metal band established in 1984 by Leif Edling , their leader and songwriter. The band is originally from Stockholm. After releasing five full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994, but...
: Åkerfeldt performs vocals for one song on the Candlemass 20-year anniversary DVD. - Devin TownsendDevin TownsendDevin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
: Åkerfeldt has recently been announced as a guest vocalist for DeconstructionDeconstruction (The Devin Townsend Project album)Deconstruction is the thirteenth studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend, and the third album in the Devin Townsend Project series...
. He sings on the song "Stand". - Dream TheaterDream TheaterDream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
: Åkerfeldt performs a spoken wordSpoken wordSpoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
part in "Repentance" on their 2007 album Systematic ChaosSystematic ChaosSystematic Chaos is the ninth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. Released on June 4, 2007 in the United Kingdom and June 5, 2007 in the United States, Systematic Chaos was the band's first release through Roadrunner Records, which was sold to their previous label...
. He also sang the second verse of the same song on its first and to date only live performance, during the Progressive Nation 2008 tour. He also performed the growled verse of their song "A Nightmare to Remember" with the band live. - Edge of SanityEdge of SanityEdge of Sanity was a Swedish death metal band. Edge of Sanity are regarded alongside Opeth as being the first to fuse extreme metal styles like death and black metal with progressive rock.- History :...
: Åkerfeldt provided vocals and guitar parts in Edge of Sanity's 1996 album CrimsonCrimson (Edge of Sanity album)Crimson is the fifth full-length studio album by Swedish death metal band Edge of Sanity, which is their first concept album and was released in 1996 by Black Mark Productions...
, and also wrote lyrics for a song on Infernal. - HorrifiedHorrifiedHorrified is the only full-length album released by the American grindcore band Repulsion. Although the album was originally recorded in 1986, it remained unreleased until three years later. It was originally released on Necrosis Records, a sublabel of Earache Records.-Album information:The album...
: Åkerfeldt growls a few words on "Avatar of the Age of Horus" off of their Deus Diabolus Inversus album. - KatatoniaKatatoniaKatatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström .-1991-1993:The early Katatonia releases, such as the EP Jhva Elohim Meth.....
: Åkerfeldt sings on the 1996 album Brave Murder DayBrave Murder Day- Notes :# "Murder" & "Rainroom" is featured on Brave Yester Days.# "12" is a re-recorded version of the song Black Erotica from the W.A.R. Compilation Volume 1...
, and the three-song EP Sounds of DecaySounds of Decay-Katatonia:* Blackheim – guitar* Fredrik Norrman – guitar; bass* Jonas Renkse – drum kit...
, released 1997. He also performs backing vocals on the albums Discouraged OnesDiscouraged OnesDiscouraged Ones is the third full-length album by Katatonia. The album was released in 1998.This is the last Katatonia release with Mikael Oretoft...
and Tonight's DecisionTonight's Decision-Personnel:* Jonas Renkse – vocals* Anders Nyström – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals* Fredrik Norrman – guitar, bass guitar* Dan Swanö – session drums...
. - IhsahnIhsahnIhsahn is a Norwegian composer, guitar, bass, keyboard player and vocalist. He is best known for his work with Norwegian black metal band Emperor. He has appeared in Thou Shalt Suffer, up until March 4, 2006, played in Peccatum with his wife Ihriel , and now devotes himself to his solo project,...
: Åkerfeldt performs on the song "Unhealer" from the 2008 album angLAngLangL is the second full length solo album of Emperor frontman Ihsahn. Writing began in early 2007, after Ihsahn had completed touring with Emperor...
. - OSIOSI (band)OSI is an American progressive rock band, originally formed by Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos in 2002. Chroma Key keyboardist and vocalist Kevin Moore is the only other full-time member of the band...
: Åkerfeldt performs lead vocals on the track "Stockholm" for OSI's 2009 album, BloodBlood (OSI album)Blood is the third studio album by American progressive rock band OSI, released by InsideOut Music on April 27, 2009 in Europe and May 19, 2009 in North America....
. - Porcupine TreePorcupine TreePorcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
: Åkerfeldt sings backing vocals on "Deadwing", "Lazarus" and "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" and plays a guitar solo on "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" on the 2005 album DeadwingDeadwingAmerican edition10. "Shesmovedon " – 4:59DVD-A edition10. "Revenant" – 3:04 11. "Mother and Child Divided" – 4:59 12. "Half-Light" – 6:20 13. "Shesmovedon " - 4:59 LP edition...
. - Roadrunner UnitedRoadrunner UnitedRoadrunner United was a project organized by the heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled The All-Star Sessions...
: Åkerfeldt performs vocals on the song "Roads" alongside Type O NegativeType O NegativeType O Negative was a gothic metal band from Brooklyn, New York City. The band also incorporated elements of doom metal and thrash metal. Their dramatic lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "The Drab Four"...
keyboardist Josh SilverJosh SilverJosh Silver was the keyboardist and producer for the band Type O Negative. He joined the band at Peter Steele's request...
on the Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner RecordsRoadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
25th Anniversary album Roadrunner United: The All-Star SessionsRoadrunner UnitedRoadrunner United was a project organized by the heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled The All-Star Sessions...
. - SoilworkSoilworkSoilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork .Their sound is a fusion of the classic...
: Åkerfeldt sings cleanly on the title track of the album A Predator's PortraitA Predator's Portrait-Soilwork:* Björn "Speed" Strid − vocals* Peter Wichers − lead guitar* Ola Frenning − rhythm guitar* Henry Ranta − drums* Ola Flink − bass guitar* Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg − keyboards, artwork-Guests:* Mattias Eklundh − guitar solo on "Needlefeast"....
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