List of Opeth band members

Opeth is a Swedish progressive death metal band from Stockholm. Originally formed in 1989 by vocalist David Isberg, the group's earliest members were fired upon the arrival of guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt, with whom Isberg formally restarted the group as a two-piece in 1990.[1][2] The pair later hired guitarist Andreas Dimeo, bassist Nick Döring and drummer Anders Nordin to complete the first official lineup of Opeth.[3] 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 respective places.[4] De Farfalla left after the band's second show, with Peter Lindgren joining on bass for a third show later in the year, after which Petterson left and Lindgren switched over to guitar.[4][5] Isberg also left Opeth in early 1992 due to "creative differences".[6] 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".[4]

Opeth performing in 2016.

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.[7] After a period as a three-piece, Mattias Ander briefly joined as the group's bassist,[8] before Stefan Guteklint joined later in the year.[7] 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.[5] After a tour in promotion of Opeth's second album Morningrise in 1996, Åkerfeldt and Lindgren fired De Farfalla without consulting Nordin, which also led to him leaving the band.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11] He later became an official member of the band in 2005.[12] 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.[13] By the following May the drummer had officially left the band, with Axenrot officially taking his place.[14] Lindgren also 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.[15] In April 2011, it was announced that Wiberg had left the band.[16] He was replaced by Joakim Svalberg.[17]

Members

Current

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Mikael Åkerfeldt	1990–present	guitars lead vocals (since 1992) bass (1990)	all Opeth releases
	Martín Méndez	1997–present	bass	all Opeth releases from Still Life (1999) onwards
	Martin "Axe" Axenrot	2006–present (touring 2005–2006)	drums percussion	all Opeth releases from The Roundhouse Tapes (2007) onwards
	Fredrik Åkesson	2007–present	guitars backing vocals	all Opeth releases from Watershed (2008) onwards
	Joakim Svalberg	2011–present	keyboards mellotron piano backing vocals	all Opeth releases from Heritage (2011) onwards

Former

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	David Isberg	1990–1992	lead vocals	none
	Micke Bargström	1990	guitar
	Dan Nilsson
	Martin Persson		bass
	Rille Even		drums
	Anders Nordin	1990–1997	drums percussion	Orchid (1995) Morningrise (1996)
	Andreas Dimeo	1990–1991	guitar	none
	Nick Döring		bass
	Kim Pettersson	1991	guitar
	Johan De Farfalla	1991 1994–1997	bass backing vocals	Orchid (1995) Morningrise (1996)
	Peter Lindgren	1991–2007	guitars (1992–2007) 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) – one track only
	Martin Lopez	1997–2006	drums percussion	all Opeth releases from My Arms, Your Hearse (1998) to Ghost Reveries (2005)
	Per Wiberg	2005–2011 (touring 2003–2005)	keyboards mellotron piano backing vocals	all Opeth releases from Lamentations (2003) to Heritage (2011)

Timeline

References

1. "Interview: Mikael Åkerfeldt, Opeth". MusicRadar. Future plc. October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
2. "Mikael Akerfeldt: Just How Disastrous the First Opeth Gig Was". Ultimate Guitar Archive. January 5, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
3. Lorsch, Laurie (December 4, 2014). "Opeth, shockingly versatile, and just good music". AXS. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
4. "Opeth Biography: Chapter II". Opeth. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
5. 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.
6. "Opeth's Founder David Isberg Launches Braathum". Blabbermouth.net. July 24, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
7. "Opeth Biography: Chapter III". Opeth. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
8. Ekeroth, Daniel (July 29, 2008). Swedish Death Metal. New York City, New York: Bazillion Points. p. 388. ISBN 978-0979616310. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
9. Hartmann, Graham (May 7, 2014). "Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact Or Fiction?'". Loudwire. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
10. "Opeth Biography: Chapter IV". Opeth. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
11. "Opeth Recruit Spiritual Beggars Keyboardist For Upcoming Tour". Blabbermouth.net. June 6, 2003. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
12. "Opeth: Keyboardist Per Wiberg Officially Joins The Band". Blabbermouth.net. May 4, 2005. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
13. "Opeth Drummer Receiving Treatment, Temporary Replacement Announced". Blabbermouth.net. August 29, 2005. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
14. "Opeth: Drummer Martin Lopez Is Officially Out". Blabbermouth.net. May 12, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
15. "Opeth Guitarist Peter Lindgren Leaves Band". Metal Injection. May 18, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
16. "Opeth Parts Ways With Keyboardist". Blabbermouth.net. April 6, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
17. "Opeth Working With Keyboardist Joakim Svalberg; U.S. Dates With Katatonia Announced". Blabbermouth.net. June 2, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2017.

External links

• Opeth official website