Mikael Åkerfeldt

Career

Mikael Åkerfeldt revealed in September 2009 that he is contemplating recording a singer-songwriter acoustic solo album. However, in 2014 he expressed the view that he didn't have the need of a special solo project and that he can put pretty much anything into Opeth. In an interview on STIM magazine he reveals that one of the highlights of his career was the performance in Royal Albert Hall.

Early life

A native of Stockholm, Mikael Åkerfeldt was the vocalist for Eruption, a death metal band which he formed in 1988 at 14 years old. 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 the vocalist. Åkerfeldt performed the death vocals on Katatonia's album Brave Murder Day and Sounds of Decay EPs.

Influences

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 Opeth album titles such as Blackwater Park, Still Life and My Arms, Your Hearse, as well as songs such as "Master's Apprentices." He is also influenced extensively by jazz, the musician Ritchie Blackmore as well as Magma and its founder Christian Vander.

When asked what the album was that 'made him a metalhead', Åkerfeldt answered that it was probably The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden, but also mentioned Lick It Up by Kiss.

Personal life

Based upon lyrical content and comments he has made it is widely speculated that Mikael Akerfeldt is an atheist. On 15 August 2003, Mikael Åkerfeldt married his longtime girlfriend, Anna Sandberg. On 13 September 2004, Anna gave birth to a daughter whom they named Melinda. The couple had their second daughter, Mirjam Ebba Maria Åkerfeldt, on 28 October 2007. In 2016, in an interview with The Quietus, Akerfeldt revealed he had gone through a divorce.

Åkerfeldt is known to be friends with Steven Wilson, the frontman of one of his favorite bands, Porcupine Tree; Mike Portnoy, former drummer of Dream Theater (he is featured in their music video for Wither); and Jonas Renkse of Katatonia. He is also presumed to be the basis for the character Toki Wartooth from the popular cartoon Metalocalypse, as divulged in an interview with Ultimate Guitar.

Equipment

He has almost exclusively used PRS guitars since the Deliverance/Damnation era and has his own signature model.

Electric guitars

Åkerfeldt uses the following electric guitars, according to the Opeth web site.

1. Jackson Guitars USA RR USA Model
2. PRS Custom 24 (Tortoise shell flame top)
3. Gibson Flying V ('67 Reissue)
4. PRS Custom 24 (Blue Flame Top)
5. PRS Custom 24 (Black Quilt)
6. PRS Custom 24 (Black)
7. PRS SC 245 (Black Cherry)
8. Fender Stratocaster 1975 (Black)
9. Fender Stratocaster 1972 Reissue (Natural)
10. Gibson Les Paul Standard V.O.S. (Tobacco Sunburst)
11. B.C. Rich Mockingbird (Black)
12. PRS 22 fret Modern Eagle (Grey Flame Top)
13. PRS Modern Eagle Single Cut 24 Fret (Wine Flame Matte Top)
14. Gibson SG Standard 1961 Reissue
15. PRS Custom 22 12-String (Black)
16. PRS Singlecut (Black Quilt)
17. PRS SE Mikael Åkerfeldt Signature Guitar
18. PRS Starla (Vintage Cherry)

Acoustic guitars/Steel string

Åkerfeldt uses the following acoustic guitars, according to the Opeth web site.

1. CF Martin (with Fishman Pickup)
2. CF Martin 00016GT
3. Takamine 12 String
4. Seagull (with Fishman Pickup)
5. CF Martin 000-28

Acoustic guitars/Classical nylon

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

Amps

Åkerfeldt uses the following amps, according to the Opeth web site.

1. Marshall Vintage Modern 2466
2. Laney GH100L with cabinet
3. Laney VH100R
4. Laney VC30
5. Fender 1000 Rocpro
6. Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra preamp / effects processor
7. Marshall JCM900

with Opeth

with Katatonia

with Bloodbath

with Edge of Sanity

with Steel

with Storm Corrosion

Appearances