Papa Smurf

Opeth frontman Mikael Ã…kerfeldt recently spoke to Australia's Time Off magazine about the inspiration for his band's occult lyrical themes, according to Blabbermouth.net. "It started out as a fascination for these type of lyrics and that's something that's deeply rooted in heavy metal," he explained. "It's always been there, ever since I was a kid. I picked up an Iron Maiden record, or [Judas] Priest, it was kind of dark. A piano song like 'Epitaph'... a jolly old song but the lyrics are quite dark and quite gothic. That was something I was always intrigued by.


"I don't see myself as a real dark type of person, but I do have a connection with that side. It doesn't necessarily mean I want to kill everyone I meet or I want to worship Satan. I can turn those wicked sides I've got into my own art, if you will.

"Most of the bands today, I don't really like them. When I grew up it was like heresy to compare Killswitch Engage and whatever you got going with Maiden and Priest. Especially in America, it seems to be a little trend goin'... it's corporate business. The bands feel manufactured, almost like boy bands with guitars. I don't want my bands to be fucking pretty."