Saturday night at Manchester’s Albert Hall saw a killer double bill of Swedish metal, with Grand Magus opening for the mighty Opeth. The venue itself—grand and atmospheric with high ceilings and stained-glass windows—provided an epic backdrop. The crowd buzzed with excitement long before the first note was played, and as soon as the lights dimmed, it was clear we were in for something special.
Grand Magus are old-school heavy metal through and through. Formed in 1996 in Stockholm, the band has spent nearly three decades crafting their own blend of traditional heavy metal with elements of doom and power metal. Frontman and guitarist JB wasted no time, launching straight into ‘I, the Jury.’ His voice was as strong as ever and the riffs were thick and meaty. Fox Skinner (bass) and Ludwig Witt (drums) locked into an unshakable groove, driving each song forward with absolute confidence.
Typically, support bands face a subdued crowd, with fans often impatient for the headliner. However, this couldn’t be said for Grand Magus’ appearance, as the singalong to their final song, ‘Hammer of the North,’ continued well after the band exited the stage. It clearly delighted the band, and for me, it was one of the highlights of the night.
But we were all here for the mighty Opeth. Founded in 1989 in Stockholm, Opeth began as a death metal band before evolving into one of the most innovative progressive metal acts in the world. From the first song Opeth took the audience on a deep, immersive journey through sound and emotion.
Starting their set with the opening track from their newest album, The Last Will and Testament (2024), a concept album about a wealthy patriarch whose will reveals shocking family secrets, Opeth made it clear they were here to take no prisoners. This album marks a return to Mikael Åkerfeldt’s growls, much to the fans’ delight. After several albums focusing primarily on clean vocals, the heavy growls were a welcome addition.
Opeth kicked things off with ‘§1,’ a crushingly heavy track, followed by ‘Masters Apprentices’ and ‘The Leper Affinity,’ showcasing Åkerfeldt’s flawless transitions between guttural growls and clean vocals. Åkerfeldt’s stage banter was, as always, surprisingly hilarious. A natural conversationalist, his witty comments had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.
Beyond their individual talents, Opeth’s band members have an incredible musical connection on stage. Åkerfeldt and second guitarist Fredrik Åkesson traded guitar parts seamlessly, moving between melodic leads and crushing riffs without missing a beat. Bassist Martín Méndez kept everything anchored, working closely with new drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, whose tight, powerful drumming added to the intensity. Keyboardist Joakim Svalberg contributed eerie synths and delicate piano, adding depth to the sound without overpowering it. Their chemistry was evident and central to their appeal.
A personal highlight was the brief but fun cover of Napalm Death’s ‘You Suffer,’ played in a different key with the lyrics changed to “Wonderwall” as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Oasis (though the audience groaned at the reference!). Despite the playful detour, Opeth didn’t shy away from their more proggy, non-growling material. The combination of ‘Haxprocess,’ ‘In My Time of Need,’ and ‘The Night and the Silent Water’ provided a welcome interlude to the earlier blistering riffs and vocals.
Fan-favorite ‘Ghost of Perdition’ followed, met with rapturous delight from the crowd, before Opeth launched into ‘A Story Never Told.’ Åkerfeldt jokingly hoped, “In 70 years, we hope you will request this song as much as the last one, but by then we’ll be dead.”
After a brief pause, gleefully described by Åkerfeldt as the inevitable “encore ploy,” Opeth returned to play ‘Sorceress,’ easily the heaviest non-growling track in their repertoire. They finished the set with the epic ‘Deliverance,’ its length and heaviness lapped up by the crowd, with the staccato rhythms of the final third of the song providing the perfect conclusion to a nearly flawless performance.
What sets Opeth apart from many other bands is their ability to create an atmosphere that pulls you in completely. Their music isn’t just about technical prowess; it’s about emotion, storytelling, and tension. Whether playing something heavy and crushing or soft and introspective, they had the entire room in the palm of their hand. And the crowd loved every minute of it.
