Mikael Åkerfeldt

Mikael Åkerfeldt

Mikael Åkerfeldt (IPA: [ˈoːkərˌfɛlt]) (born April 17, 1974, in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish musician, best known as the current lead vocalist/lead guitarist and songwriter of progressive metal band Opeth, and lead singer of death metal band Bloodbath. Åkerfeldt is known for his progressive rock-influenced songwriting style, and his frequent use of both clean and growled vocals.

Åkerfeldt was the vocalist for Eruption, a death metal band which he formed in 1988. After Eruption came to an end in 1990, he joined Opeth, ostensibly as a bassist. When vocalist David Isberg insisted Åkerfeldt join the band, all other members left. Isberg assumed guitar duties, and when he left Opeth two years later, Åkerfeldt replaced him as a vocalist.

Åkerfeldt is a collector of obscure 1970s rock and heavy metal albums. He also tends to show his influence from these obscure bands, making reference to them in titles of Opeth songs, such as "Blackwater Park" and "Master's Apprentices".

On August 15, 2003, Mikael Åkerfeldt married his longtime girlfriend, Anna. On September 13, 2004, Anna gave birth to a daughter who they named Melinda, after the character in the concept album, Still Life. The couple had their second daughter, who they named Mirjam Ebba Maria Åkerfeldt, on October 28, 2007.

Åkerfeldt is known to be good friends with Steven Wilson, the frontman of his favourite band, Porcupine Tree.

Åkerfeldt is known to be the basis for the character Toki Wartooth from the popular cartoon Metalocalypse, as divulged in an interview with ultimate-guitar.com.

Equipment

Electric guitars

1. PRS Custom 24 (Tortoise shell flame top),
2. Gibson Flying V ('67 Reissue),
3. PRS Custom 24 (Blue Flame Top),
4. PRS Custom 24 (Black Quilt),
5. PRS Custom 24 (Black),
6. Fender Stratocaster 1975 (Black),
7. Fender Stratocaster 1972 Reissue (Natural),
8. Gibson Les Paul Standard (Tobacco Sunburst),
9. B.C. Rich Mockingbird (Black),
10. PRS 22 fret Modern Eagle (Grey Flame Top),
11. PRS Modern Eagle Single Cut 24 Fret (Wine Flame Matt Top),
12. Gibson SG Standard 1961 Reissue,
    
13. PRS Custom 22 12-String (Black),
14. PRS Custom 22 Single Cut (Black Quilt),

Acoustic guitars/Steel string

1. CF Martin (with Fishman Pickup),
2. CF Martin,
3. Takamine 12 String,
4. Seagull (with Fishman Pickup),

Acoustic guitars/Classical nylon

1. Amalio Burguet 3am (cedar top)
2. Landola CT/2/w

Amps

1. Laney GH100L with cabinet,
2. Laney VC100
3. Laney VC30
4. Fender 1000 Rocpro

Appearances

• Ayreon: Åkerfeldt sings the parts of Fear in The Human Equation, the 2004 release.
• Bloodbath: Åkerfeldt is currently the vocalist for Bloodbath. He was with the band from 2000 to 2004, and then rejoined in 2008. He can be heard on their Breeding Death and Resurrection through Carnage releases. He also performed live with them at Wacken Open Air in 2005. On January 30, 2008, it was announced on the official Bloodbath website that Åkerfeldt had rejoined the band. He will perform the vocals for their third studio album Unblessing of Purity.
• Candlemass: Åkerfeldt performs vocals for one song on the Candlemass 20-year anniversary DVD.
• Dream Theater: Åkerfeldt performs a spoken word part in "Repentance" on their 2007 album Systematic Chaos.
• Edge of Sanity: Åkerfeldt provided vocals and guitar for some parts of Edge of Sanity's 1996 album Crimson.
• Katatonia: Åkerfeldt sings on the 1996 album Brave Murder Day, and the third song EP Sounds of Decay, released 1997. He also performs backing vocals on the albums Discouraged Ones and Tonight's Decision.
• Porcupine Tree: Åkerfeldt sings and plays guitar on the 2005 album Deadwing.
• Roadrunner United: Åkerfeldt performs vocals on the song "Roads" alongside Type O Negative keyboardist Josh Silver on the Roadrunner Records 25th Anniversary album Roadrunner United: The All-Star Sessions.
• Soilwork: Åkerfeldt sings cleanly on the title track of the album A Predator's Portrait.
• Sörskogen: Åkerfeldt sings in Swedish and plays guitars on the lone track "Mordet i Grottan".
• Steel: A small power metal side project by Dan Swanö and Opeth's members, featuring Åkerfeldt on guitars.

External links

• Official MySpace site