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Opeth's Drummer Martin Lopez Leaves The Band

posted May 12, 2006 at 7:50 PM by zMETALlica.  (14 Comments)

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Band Photo: Opeth (?)

After several months away from his drumming duties in OPETH, Martin Lopez has permanently decided to leave the group. After being plagued by illness and anxiety attacks Lopez decided he wanted to concentrate fully on his own project, currently unnamed. His replacement will be Martin "Axe" Axenrot, who's been filling in for the last five tours and who also recorded with the band during the recent BBC sessions.

Commented OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt: "However sad I and the rest of the band feel in light of Lopez's departure, I want to thank him for his incredible work with OPETH and immense dedication to the band. We recorded some classic stuff together and he obviously had an enormous impact on our sound. I now feel very excited to hear the material of his own band. In the meantime, OPETH fans can rest assured that we'll continue jamming it out with Axe and we all have high expectations about our coming musical ventures."

Source: Blabbermouth

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14 Comments on "Opeth's Drummer Martin Lopez Leaves Band"

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Anonymous Reader
1. Linkin Park Killa writes:

Awww DAMN!! That sux but I'm very confident this axe guy will be a great replacement.

# May 13, 2006 @ 1:04 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
2. lordpaco18 writes:

hmmm...this does suck...hope the other dude is good

# May 13, 2006 @ 2:15 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
3. a metal/opeth fan writes:

Damn this sucks like hell (original sentence these days:P). But I know for shure Mikeal will only accept the best of dr
ummers (damn the guy works with portnoy man!) so I'll keep faith, but still, I really liked what Martin was doing:S . Ohw well, nothing lasts....

# May 13, 2006 @ 10:41 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
4. Dearly Demented writes:

I like Opeth, a shame Martin has been ill and having attacks, but maybe its for the best.

# May 13, 2006 @ 11:08 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
bradispissed's avatar

Supporter

5. bradispissed writes:

watch him pull a fast one and go back to amon amarth

# May 13, 2006 @ 1:34 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
RememberMetal?'s avatar

Writer/Reviewer

6. RememberMetal? writes:

%^*@*!!!!!!!!!!!

# May 13, 2006 @ 6:06 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
7. Night_terror987 writes:

Damn this is fycking gay!

# May 13, 2006 @ 6:45 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
8. goatman writes:

i wish im well. damn shame though. top drummer. still, mike knows his stuff so the new geezer should be pretty amazing... now, when we gettin a live album guys!!!!!!

# May 16, 2006 @ 3:34 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
9. Opeth is GOD writes:

it is sad news, but i did see Martin Axenrot of Bloodbath (who is replacing Lopez) play for the band in Oct. He was impressive, and pulled the set off well. Doesnt replace Lopez though..oh well, sh** happens

# May 16, 2006 @ 10:56 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BLACKDOG's avatar

Supporter

10. BLACKDOG writes:

WHAT THE f*** !!!!!!! I still have not seen the original lineup live yet.Last time they came threw I was out of town on vacation.This suck's but if he feel's this what he need's to do then I wish him all the best.

# May 16, 2006 @ 11:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
11. A Nightmare on Elm Street writes:

opeth eats big flappy donkey d***. opeth are overated. opeth arent gods. they suck. they should die!

# May 17, 2006 @ 12:41 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
12. comrade_dave writes:

dude listen to a real band. go back to your blink 182 s hite. opeth write songs not just chart topping happy clapping pop c rap. this forum is for people who are wishing lopez well, not for opinions on opeths music. go some place else we dont want you here. opeth are not overrated, as you can see, they havent had anything in the charts, they make music for themselves, not the fans or the producers. bloodbath are amazing, axe is incredible for managing to learn as much as he has of lopez's stuff for the tours. i saw them in november and he did a perfect set.

# May 17, 2006 @ 6:29 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
13. The Rover writes:

I saw Opeth in Malmö with Axenrot at the drumkit, and he's no Lopez, that's for sure. He's much more of a typical Death Metal drummer. And while he can probably learn most of Lopez's patterns and imitate his style, Opeth will never be the same, Axenrot simply hasn't got "the feel". Lopez had a fluency in his playing, which cannot be overrated as regards the overall sound of the band, but i guess they will just have to incorporate Axenrot's style on future records. It will be exciting to hear what comes out of that.

# May 17, 2006 @ 8:10 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
14. Wig Torture writes:

Lopez has was a big part of Opeth's sound and I love the latin styled grooves he layered on top of Michael's riffs, but he is not (regardless of what some of the other posts have indicated) a superior drummer to Martin Axenrot! Lopez has a great sound but does not have the skill or control Axe has. Michael will now have more options available to him when writing. I am sorry to see Lopez go as I would be to see any key guy from any of my favorite bands go, but there is no doubt that Opeth have scored w/ this pickup.

# May 22, 2006 @ 8:41 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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