Mention Prog to most Metal bands and they’ll look at you as though you’re trying to insert a shovel in their rectum. Secretly though, a lot of them love it and wish they had half the ability of a Neil Peart, Keith Emerson or Chris Squire. Then of course, there’s Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt. A proud fan and collector of Prog in its most divine form – black vinyl. As well as being Opeth’s undoubted leader and musical director, he is also one of the funniest guys to grace a stage, having the bone-dry wit that us English excel in.

He doesn’t get offended when you say that his voice sounds like Greg Lake’s on ‘Hours Of Wealth’ (the mellowest moment on the ‘Ghost Reveries’ album) or that parts of ‘The Baying Of The Hounds’ closely evoke memories of Genesis ‘Selling England By the Pound’. It’s an impressive talent to be able to write 10 minute songs that never get boring. Opeth can do that. As well as being brutal-as-fuck.

By Mark Palmer Roadrunner UK MD

There is also a special-edition CD/DVD version of ‘Ghost Reveries’ available. Included is a 40 minute documentary about the making of the album, plus the band's own private tour footage, the video for ‘The Grand Conjuration’, liner notes, photos, an enhanced 24-page booklet, deluxe sleeve, and 5.1 surround mix.