Mikael Åkerfeldt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mikael Åkerfeldt
Image:MikaelÅkerfeldtWOA2006.jpg
Born	April 17, 1974 Stockholm, Sweden
Genre(s)	Progressive Metal, Death Metal
Affiliation(s)	Opeth
Label(s)	Roadrunner Records
Years active	1995-Present
Official site	www.opeth.com

Mikael Åkerfeldt (IPA: /ˈoːkerˌfelt/) (born April 17, 1974, in Stockholm, Sweden) is currently lead vocalist and guitarist of Opeth. Åkerfeldt is known for his progressive rock-influenced songwriting style, and his ability to sing in both a melodic tone and a harsh growl. Although Åkerfeldt sings in the death grunt style, his vocals are more coherent than many vocalists of the style.

Mikael was the vocalist for Eruption, a death metal band which he formed in 1988. After Eruption came to an end in 1990, Mikael joined Opeth, ostensibly as a bassist. When vocalist David Isberg insisted Åkerfeldt join the band, all other members left. David assumed guitar duties, and when David left Opeth two years later, Mikael 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 songs like 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 whom they named Melinda, after the character in the concept album Still Life.

[edit] Equipment

PRS Custom 24 (Electric)
PRS CE 24 (Electric)
Fender Stratocaster [1970s]
Takamine 12 String
Martin 000-16GT (Acoustic)
Martin 000-28 (Acoustic)
Amalio Burguet 2AM (Classical)
Laney GH100L amplifiers
BOSS GT-6 Guitar Processor
BOSS GT-3 Guitar Processor
Seymour Duncan SH-10 Humbuckers

[edit] Appearances

Ayreon: Mikael sings the parts of Fear in The Human Equation, the 2004 release.
Bloodbath: Mikael was the vocalist for Bloodbath from 2000 to 2004, and can be heard on their Breeding Death and Resurrection through Carnage releases. He also performed live with them at Wacken Open Air in 2005.
Edge of Sanity: Mikael provided vocals and guitar for some parts of Edge of Sanity's 1996 album Crimson.
Katatonia: Sings on the 1996 album Brave Murder Day, and the 3 song EP Sounds of Decay, released 1997. Also does backing vocals on the album Tonight's Decision.
Porcupine Tree: Sings and plays on the 2005 album Deadwing.
Soilwork: Mikael sings cleanly on the title track of the album A Predator's Portrait.
Sörskogen: Mikael sings in Swedish and plays guitars on the lone track "Mordet i Grottan".
Steel: A small power metal sideproject by Dan Swanö and Opeth's members, featuring Mikael on guitars.
Roadrunner United: Mikael 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.

[edit] External links

Mikael Åkerfeldt at MySpace

Discography
Opeth
Mikael Åkerfeldt \| Peter Lindgren \| Martin Mendez \| Martin Axenrot \| Per Wiberg
David Isberg \| Andreas Dimeo \| Kim Pettersson \| Johan DeFarfalla \| Stefan Guteklint \| Mattias Ander \| Nick Döring \| Anders Nordin \| Martin Lopez
Studio Albums: Orchid \| Morningrise \| My Arms, Your Hearse \| Still Life \| Blackwater Park \| Deliverance \| Damnation \| Ghost Reveries
Singles: The Drapery Falls \| Still Day Beneath the Sun \| The Grand Conjuration
Live Albums: Lamentations