List of Opeth band members

Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm. Formed in 1990, the group originally featured vocalist David Isberg, guitarists Micke Bargström and Dan Nilsson, bassist Martin Persson, and drummer Rille Even. Isberg reformed the band the following year with Mikael Åkerfeldt, who would later take over as frontman in 1992. The current lineup of Opeth features Åkerfeldt on guitars and lead vocals, Martín Méndez on bass (since 1997), Fredrik Åkesson on guitars and backing vocals (since 2007), Joakim Svalberg on keyboards and backing vocals (since 2011), and Waltteri Väyrynen on drums (since 2022).

Opeth performing in 2016.

History

1990–2003

David Isberg formed Opeth in 1990 with Micke Bargström, Dan Nilsson, Martin Persson and Rille Even.[1] During an early rehearsal, Isberg brought in Mikael Åkerfeldt to replace Persson on bass without informing the rest of the band, all of whom he fired following the event.[2][3] The remaining pair of Isberg and Åkerfeldt completed the second lineup of Opeth with the addition of guitarist Andreas Dimeo, bassist Nick Döring and drummer Anders Nordin.[4] Dimeo and Döring both left after the band's first show in February 1991, with Kim Pettersson and Johan De Farfalla (both members of local "sleazy metal" band Crimson Cat) taking their places.[5] De Farfalla left after the group's second show, with Peter Lindgren joining on bass for a third performance later in the year, after which Petterson left and Lindgren switched to guitar.[5][6] Founding frontman Isberg also left Opeth in early 1992 due to "creative differences".[7] Åkerfeldt later recalled that "at the time, I thought [Isberg's departure] was good for the band, as he no longer seemed as interested as the rest of us".[5]

Following Isberg's departure, Åkerfeldt took over as the lead vocalist of Opeth, and writing for a debut studio album began with Lindgren and Nordin.[8] After a period as a three-piece, Mattias Ander briefly joined as the group's bassist,[9] before Stefan Guteklint joined later in the year.[8] Guteklint was fired by Åkerfeldt and Lindgren just over a year later, with former bassist De Farfalla returning for the recording of the group's debut album Orchid.[6] After a tour in promotion of the group's second album Morningrise in 1996, Åkerfeldt and Lindgren fired De Farfalla without consulting Nordin, which also led to him leaving.[10] Opeth briefly considered breaking up, before bringing in drummer Martin Lopez and later bassist Martín Méndez; bass on 1998's My Arms, Your Hearse was recorded by Åkerfeldt, as Méndez had joined too late to contribute.[11]

Since 2003

After the release of Damnation in 2003, which marked a change in the band's musical style to a more keyboard-heavy progressive rock-influenced sound, Opeth added Per Wiberg as a touring keyboardist.[12] He later became an official member of the band in 2005.[13] After suffering a string of stress-related illnesses and panic attacks, Lopez ceased performing with Opeth in August 2005, with Martin "Axe" Axenrot filling for a number of tours.[14] By the following May the regular drummer had officially left the band, with Axenrot officially taking his place.[15] Lindgren left the group a year later, stating that he had "lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in [the] band". He was replaced by Fredrik Åkesson.[16] In April 2011, it was announced that Wiberg had left the band.[17] He was replaced by Joakim Svalberg.[18]

The lineup of Åkerfeldt, Åkesson, Méndez, Axenrot and Svalberg remained stable for ten years, before it was announced in November 2021 that Axenrot had left the band due to a "conflict of interests". He was replaced for upcoming tour dates by Therion's Sami Karppinen.[19]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
14-06-08 RiP Opeth Mikael Åkerfeldt 1.JPG
Mikael Åkerfeldt 1990–present
  • lead vocals (since 1992)
  • guitars
  • bass (1990, 1992, 1997)
all Opeth releases
14-06-08 RiP Opeth Martin Mendez.JPG
Martín Méndez 1997–present bass all Opeth releases from Still Life (1999) onwards
14-06-08 RiP Opeth Fredrik Åkesson 1.JPG
Fredrik Åkesson 2007–present
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
all Opeth releases from Watershed (2008) onwards
14-06-08_RiP_Opeth_Joakim_Svalberg.JPG
Joakim Svalberg 2011–present
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
all Opeth releases from Heritage (2011) onwards
Waltteri Väyrynen 2022–present drums none

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
David Isberg 1990–1992 vocals none
Micke Bargström 1990 guitar
Dan Nilsson
Martin Persson bass
Rille Even drums
Anders Nordin 1990–1997
  • drums
  • percussion
Andreas Dimeo 1990–1991 guitars none
Nick Döring bass
Kim Pettersson 1991 guitars
Johan De Farfalla
  • 1991
  • 1994–1997
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Orchid (1995)
  • Morningrise (1996)
Peter_Lindgren.jpg
Peter Lindgren 1991–2007
  • guitars (from 1992)
  • bass (1991–1992, 1997)
all Opeth releases from Orchid (1995) to The Roundhouse Tapes (2007)
Mattias Ander 1992 bass none
Stefan Guteklint 1992–1994
  • Orchid (1995) – 2000 reissue bonus track only
  • Morningrise (1996) – 2000 reissue bonus track only
Martin Lopez 1997–2006
  • drums
all Opeth releases from My Arms, Your Hearse (1998) to Ghost Reveries (2005)
2016 Kamchatka - by 2eight - DSC3181.jpg
Per Wiberg 2005–2011 (touring 2003–2005)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
all Opeth releases from Lamentations (2003) to Heritage (2011)
Opeth_–_Elbriot_2015_03.jpg
Martin "Axe" Axenrot 2006–2021 (touring 2005–2006) drums all Opeth releases from The Roundhouse Tapes (2007) to In Cauda Venenum (2019)
Sami Karppinen 2021–2022 (touring) none

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
1990
  • David Isberg – vocals
  • Micke Bargström – guitars
  • Dan Nilsson – guitars
  • Martin Persson – bass
  • Rille Even – drums
none
1990
1990–1991
  • David Isberg – vocals
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – guitars, backing vocals
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Andreas Dimeo – guitars
  • Nick Döring – bass
1991
  • David Isberg – vocals
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – guitars, backing vocals
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Kim Pettersson – guitars
  • Johan De Farfalla – bass
1991
  • David Isberg – vocals
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – guitars, backing vocals
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Kim Pettersson – guitars
  • Peter Lindgren – bass
1991 – early 1992
  • David Isberg – vocals
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – guitars, backing vocals, bass
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Peter Lindgren – bass, guitars
1992
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars, bass
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Peter Lindgren – bass, guitars
1992
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Peter Lindgren – guitars
  • Mattias Ander – bass
1992 – early 1994
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Peter Lindgren – guitars
  • Stefan Guteklint – bass
Early 1994 – spring 1997
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Anders Nordin – drums
  • Peter Lindgren – guitars
  • Johan De Farfalla – bass, backing vocals
  • Orchid (1995)
  • Morningrise (1996)
Summer 1997
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars, bass
  • Peter Lindgren – guitars, bass
  • Martin Lopez – drums
Fall 1997 – June 2003
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Peter Lindgren – guitars
  • Martin Lopez – drums
  • Martín Méndez – bass
June 2003 – May 2006
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Peter Lindgren – guitars
  • Martin Lopez – drums
  • Martín Méndez – bass
  • Per Wiberg – keyboards, backing vocals
    (was a touring member only until May 2005)
May 2006 – May 2007
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Peter Lindgren – guitars
  • Martín Méndez – bass
  • Per Wiberg – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Martin Axenrot – drums
    (had substituted for Lopez since August 2005)
May 2007 – April 2011
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Martín Méndez – bass
  • Per Wiberg – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Martin Axenrot – drums
  • Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals
June 2011 – November 2021
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Martín Méndez – bass
  • Martin Axenrot – drums
  • Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals
  • Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, backing vocals
November 2021 – September 2022
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Martín Méndez – bass
  • Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals
  • Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Sami Karppinen – drums (touring only)
none
September 2022 – present
  • Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars
  • Martín Méndez – bass
  • Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals
  • Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Waltteri Väyrynen – drums
none as yet

References

  1. "Feature Year: 1990 (Part 1 – 9am, Part 2 – 9pm) ET #1990 @RadioMax". RadioMaxMusic. December 15, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  2. "Interview: Mikael Åkerfeldt, Opeth". MusicRadar. October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  3. "Mikael Akerfeldt: Just How Disastrous the First Opeth Gig Was". Ultimate Guitar. January 5, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  4. Lorsch, Laurie (December 4, 2014). "Opeth, shockingly versatile, and just good music". AXS. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  5. "Opeth Biography: Chapter II". Opeth. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  6. Mudrian, Albert (July 21, 2009). Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces. London, England: Hachette UK. p. 236. ISBN 978-0306818066. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  7. "Opeth's Founder David Isberg Launches Braathum". Blabbermouth.net. July 24, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  8. "Opeth Biography: Chapter III". Opeth. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  9. Ekeroth, Daniel (July 29, 2008). Swedish Death Metal. New York City, New York: Bazillion Points. p. 388. ISBN 978-0979616310. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  10. Hartmann, Graham (May 7, 2014). "Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact Or Fiction?'". Loudwire. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  11. "Opeth Biography: Chapter IV". Opeth. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  12. "Opeth Recruit Spiritual Beggars Keyboardist For Upcoming Tour". Blabbermouth.net. June 6, 2003. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  13. "Opeth: Keyboardist Per Wiberg Officially Joins The Band". Blabbermouth.net. May 4, 2005. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  14. "Opeth Drummer Receiving Treatment, Temporary Replacement Announced". Blabbermouth.net. August 29, 2005. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  15. "Opeth: Drummer Martin Lopez Is Officially Out". Blabbermouth.net. May 12, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  16. "Opeth Guitarist Peter Lindgren Leaves Band". Metal Injection. May 18, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  17. "Opeth Parts Ways With Keyboardist". Blabbermouth.net. April 6, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  18. "Opeth Working With Keyboardist Joakim Svalberg; U.S. Dates With Katatonia Announced". Blabbermouth.net. June 2, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  19. "Opeth Parts Ways With Longtime Drummer Martin 'Axe' Axenrot". Blabbermouth.net. November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
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