Opeth Release Lyric Video for New Song ‘Will O the Wisp’

Swedish progressive masters Opeth are creeping up on the Sept. 30 release of their 12th studio album, Sorceress. The band previously released the title track, the heaviest song of the post-Watershed era, and now they've flipped sides on the acoustic-dominated "Will O the Wisp," which can be heard in the lyric video above.

Fans will be quick to draw comparisons to Opeth's Damnation record considering "Will O the Wisp" features predominantly acoustic guitars, save for the clean tone solos and leads, alongside light stick work and Mikael Akerfeldt's ever-soothing clean singing. The frontman has again improved in this area of his voice, as he has with each new release, presenting undeniably catchy melodies that embed themselves in one's musical subconscious almost instantly.

“It’s a song inspired by “Dun Ringill" by Jethro Tull (from the album Stormwatch, 1979)," Akerfeldt said to Metal Hammer about the track. "I wanted to do a song with my capo really high, so it’s up on the fifth fret. It makes the guitar sound really glittery. I just wanted to go for a simple, catchy vocal melody. It has a slightly positive vibe to it, but the lyrics are really, really dark. It’s a beautiful song, I think. I’m really happy with that one.”

Conscious that Opeth have veered off in yet another different musical direction, Akerfeldt commented on Sorceress stating, “I find that once again we’ve taken a step forward. Or sideways, Or backwards. Somewhere!? It’s different! It’s extremely diverse." Offering his thoughts on the quality of the material, the mastermind added, "And if I may say so myself, extremely good. I feel the right to say that since I like to think I know this band better than anyone on the planet. Also, I always manage to detach myself from the record and listen as a fan.”

Sorceress can be pre-ordered at the Nuclear Blast webstore with a variety of bundle options and various vinyl selections to choose from or digitally through iTunes with instant gratification downloads of both singles. Catch Opeth on tour with the Sword this fall starting Sept. 29 in Pittsburgh, Pa. with a list of remaining dates found at our 2016 Guide to Rock + Metal Tours.

See Where Opeth Rank Among the Top 50 Metal Bands of All Time

Opeth's Mikael Akerfledt Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?'