Opeth is a Swedish
heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter
Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's only founding member and primary driving force throughout the years. Opeth has consistently incorporated
progressive,
folk,
blues,
classical and
jazz influences into their usually lengthy compositions, as well as strong influences from
death metal, especially in their early works. Many songs include acoustic guitar passages and strong
dynamic shifts, as well as both
death growls and clean vocals. Opeth rarely made live appearances supporting their first four albums; but since conducting their first world tour after the 2001 release of
Blackwater Park, they have led several major world tours.