Opeth Frontman Responds to Criticism
OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has defended himself over criticism that he "talks too much" during the band's live performances, explaining that "I say what I wanna say in the same sense as I play what I wanna play."
In a posting on OPETH's official forum, a fan who calls himself "Detric" told Mikael, "Stop talking so much and play your music, I don't know if you're on drugs or trying to be funny talking about cocks and giving the middle finger all the time. Maybe you guys would have time for another song when playing live if you stopped talking so much. Jesus Christ... What the fuck happened to you? I remember seeing you back in 2003, you didn't say a word...Only what the next song was..."
Writing in response to Detric's posting, Åkerfeldt said, "Yes, I do talk a lot of bollocks on stage, but only if I feel like it and it's spontaneous. I especially like when I say something that I think is funny, but nobody else gets it. So it's dead silent. One of my fave lines was 'Did you know that psychopaths are most likely to drive a blue BMW?' Dead silence!
"I HATE the whole shallow shit like 'Come on,' 'Hey, hey, hey,' 'Let me see your hands'...etc. I either talk like a prick or I don't talk at all. I was never a gentleman in the past, I just wasn't interested in saying anything. But after 100s of shows, something happened, I guess I got bored with... 'Thanks, next song is...'
"If you're offended by my talk or you think I fucking suck... get in line! I say what I wanna say in the same sense as I play what I wanna play. As for the most part I've seen a positive reaction to the inbetween song talk. And even though I say things like 'cock,' there are also some profound moments...I guess..."
Source: Blabbermouth
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30 Comments on "Opeth Frontman Responds to Criticism"
3. writes:
i saw them recently and when he talks it's calming and actually it's funny too... i think he handled this criticism very very well and metal needs more people like him!!!! OPETH f***in rocks!!!!!!! if you don't like him talking then don't go to an opeth show, when they talk and you get to see who they really are, itmakes the concert much more than just the music, which you cxould stay at home and listen to .
5. writes:
Dude who gives a f*** if the songs are so long are you one of those people who cant handle a bit of diversity in songwriting, to be honest if every c*** and his dog wrote all 3 minture songs for every album it would be as boring as listening to foriegn radio stations when your not high. My band and I push and strive for 7-9 mintue songs let alone 24 mintues to half an hour songs, if you had any idea of muscianmanship youd realise how creative that aspect to songwriting is....but then again you mite be some pissant taking back sunday fan who wouldnt know good music if it came up nd head butt you in the face...
7. writes:
There is nothing more boring than when a band says before every songs "this one is called......" or afterwards says "cheers u guys........." etc.it is part of a vocalists job to banter with the crowd i haven't seen opeth but the vocalist has the right idea.Seeing a band is more than just hearing them play live it is a chance to connect with them as people.For me this is an essential part of a bands performance alongside there ability to replicate there music live.
8. writes:
I saw Opeth live a few months ago and the funny banter was my favourite part of the show. I know the songs inside-out but it was refreshing to hear that the guy's entertaining in other ways. "We signed to Road Runner so we're a nu-metal band now. All we care about is money, tits and drugs." He also got the crowd to sing Happy Birthday to a guy called Joe The c***, if I remember right. Awesome stuff.
Supporter
9. writes:
i love opeth, but mr. akerfeldt does talk too much....he is constantly criticizing other bands and talking about how todays music sucks for the most part. We all know that so i dont see why he has to say it, especially as a well respected, prominent musician. Like i said, i love the band, and his music but he seems like an arrogant prick that would not be that cool to hang out with, and that is too bad with so many fans watching him.
Former Contributor
Former Contributor
12. writes:
How am I clueless?...I called you out on the exact same thing the blabbermouth kids say about you all the time.
And why post here if you like Blabbermouth so much more?
Anyway,
since you're here to stay, as your type ussually do...What bands are you into? Almost every band you post on you say something negative. I'm not going to pounce on your favorite bands I'm just curious. If Opeth sucks to you, I'd like to know what your barometer for good metal is.
13. writes:
I agree with Australia. Doing what works for you is what music's all about. 2 of Slayer's albums are under 40 minutes, and I'm sure there's other bands that have shorter ones. There's also bands that have to cut 4 or 5 tracks and put them on a second disk because they all won't fit on one.In my band, we just try to get the song to a point that we feel it's complete, which usually ends up between 7 and 10 minutes. It's all up to you. Length of songs, who you think sucks, who you will and won't listen to. That's the good part of music. If you don't like it, listen to something else.
Former Contributor
14. writes:
I don't even know why I waste my time trying to get an intelligent response from people like Al Bundy.
Completely agree with Ostracised. Theres a few grind bands who turn in 40 second songs that I love, but I love Opeths 10-15 minutes dirges just as much if not more. Just depends on my mood.
15. writes:
Remember- I think Al is yet another person that will always have something contradictory and nonconstructive to say on forum boards. Our best bet would be to just go ahead and ban his IP. I'm not what you'd call a regular poster, but I find much more enjoyment in intelligent debate over styles and qualities than his worthless ramblings. True metalheads(especially the ones that have been fans for MANY years) are like a family, and until he realizes that he's not worth talking to.
18. writes:
Yeah Opeth is great indeed, all of Opeth's songs are great, I have never heard one bad opeth song, even the softer songs are great. Mikael's talking between songs is entertaining too, he can say whatever the f**ck he pleases. And I truly do beleive Opeth can do no wrong, From Orchid to Ghost Reveries, all the music is beyond amazing.
Supporter
19. writes:
OPETH IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!.If he want's to talk in between song's so be it it's his show.If you don't like it don't buy the ticket's.A friend of mine came with me & some other friend's to see the HEAD STONES about three years ago.He did not like the band at all he just wanted something to do.He's more into band's like No Doubt,Blink 182 etc.
But he kept his mouth shut & did not try to ruine it for the rest of us.I't's not like he did not know what he was showing up for.So if you don't like it don't go.If you do go then you give up your right to complaine PERIOD!!!!!!
Question I've been to BLABERMOUTH.I mostly lurk there then someone (probably one of the fag's I've clashed with on M.U. stole my post name.)and I lost my password too boot.Anyway my question is this HOW IN THE FLYING f*** DO YOU GET KICKED OUT OF BLABERMOUTH !!!!!
20. writes:
Hey Australia, thanks for telling me that I don't know music. I guess the music business classes really didn't pay off. And I was in the f***ing class you piece of sh** that most bands will not get signed with songs that are over 5 minutes. They want a pop format. Have fun in your worthless band that will not get signed DUMBASS!!!
21. writes:
And for the record...again...and again...I have 3 Opeth albums. I did see them live and I have the name to piss people off just like yourself douche bag. One of the people that come to the site once a month and never return with another comment. Some people just like shorter songs, it's my preference not to sit and listen to the same song for 13 minutes when I can listen to three over songs in that time.
Former Contributor
23. writes:
To each their own. I think Opeth demands something that not everyone has.
I love Opeth but I keep my Opeth listening down to maybe a few songs a week spread out from their whole discography. I couldnt listen to an Opeth album end to end in one sitting more than a 4 or 5 times a year.
Opeth must be ingested in managable chunks. The only time I OD on Opeth is when a new album comes out or certain times of the years (fall and winter mainly) which just beg for that grey on black sound of thiers.
I find that my that my taste varies with the weather, it's really strange...maybe even superficial, just something I've noticed over the years.
Supporter
Member
Supporter
28. writes:
everytime a new opeth cd comes out i give it my own personal pow-wow superjoint ritual...smokem piece pipe one sitter-one spin. all the way through, sometimes twice.
but i also do this everytime a new tool cd comes out. or when i wake up. get off work. on the way to work. pretend to work.
i love indians
Supporter
29. writes:
Spirit of the elder gods How are thing's in the U.K. Brother ! Yes Opeth is especially good when I'm meditateing.I'm sort of teaching myself.I have instrutional cd's & dvd's.But sometimes I just practice without that stuff & focus on my breathing.Opeth can really help you to stay in the moment as opposed to being destracted by the outside world.This however only works if your into Opeth.If your not they'll take you way out of your zone really quick.
I realize I'm gonna have to learn to do it without the music eventually but atleast this is helping for now.Hell a good friend of mine does it with Jazz.
30. writes:
I think that I may be at somewhat at a same level as you RM? with Opeth. I can't listen to them for too long. I think that when I saw them live it ruined it for me. They are amazing and have a part inbetween songs that I'll never forget that was SOOO BADASS!!! But idk long songs just aren't always for me. And my favorite songs, and it may sound weird for a favorite song to other people, is "For Absent Minds." I got to make a radio commercial in a recording class and I used it for a background song. The instruments just sound so relaxing and calm. Very talented indeed. ROCK!!!
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1. SeiferothZero writes:
Don't worry Mikael, your talking between songs doesn't bother me, because I'll never be around for it.
I personally like it when the bands talk to the audience between songs. At one of the In Flames shows I went to, Anders took five mintues or so to harangue the audience before going on to the next song, and it was really entertaining. Lets you know that there's more to these guys than just growling and thrashing around.