Mikael Åkerfeldt has by no means been shy about following his instincts, even once they’re pushed by one thing so simple as aesthetics. In a brand new interview with Prog Project, the Opeth frontman revealed that the band’s label Moderbolaget was created for one surprisingly blunt cause: he did not need the Nuclear Blast emblem on Opeth albums.
Åkerfeldt defined that whereas Opeth have been signed to Nuclear Blast Information, he struggled with the label’s identify and iconic biohazard-style emblem showing on their meticulously crafted releases. “We began it as a… It is a foolish story, truly,” Åkerfeldt mentioned. “As a result of we have been signed to Nuclear Blast Information. I at all times thought ‘Nuclear Blast’ sounded so foolish. I did not need it to say ‘Nuclear Blast’ on the file.”
In an try to sidestep that, Åkerfeldt based Moderbolaget. “Okay, let’s begin our personal label, Moderbolaget, which implies ‘dad or mum label’, you’ll be able to say.” However in fact, on the finish of the day, we nonetheless had the Nuclear Blast emblem on the file, so it did not matter. However that is actually why we began it.”
Whereas the origin story could also be rooted in gentle annoyance, Åkerfeldt mentioned the concept was additionally impressed by legendary bands who took management of their very own releases. “It is also taking a look at bands like The Beatles, who had Apple Information, and Led Zeppelin, who had Swan Music,” he mentioned. “It is not 100% critical, however technically, we might signal different bands.”
Requested whether or not the label has plans to signal different artists, Åkerfeldt laughed off the concept — a minimum of for the second. “Properly, not likely, however we might,” he mentioned. “Perhaps that might be my retirement plan. Be a file boss, mogul, purchase a go well with, and smoke cigars.”
Anyway, Opeth and Katatonia are set to tour North America subsequent month. The tour kicks off on February 5 at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ and wraps up a couple of weeks afterward February 25 on the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports activities Centre in Vancouver, BC. The tour is part of Opeth touring in help of their newest file The Final Will and Testomony. Get your tickets here.
2/5 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont Theater
2/6 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
2/7 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore Philadelphia
2/10 Detroit, MI Masonic Jack White Theatre
2/11 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
2/12 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
2/14 Dallas, TX The Bomb Manufacturing facility
2/15 Houston, TX Bayou Music Heart
2/16 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
2/18 Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Heart
2/20 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
2/21 Riverside, CA Riverside Municipal Auditorium
2/22 Sacramento, CA Channel 24
2/24 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
2/25 Vancouver, BC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports activities Centre
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