Metal Anarchy

Opeth will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Damnation” by reissuing the album on December 15. The vinyl pressings, which can be pre-ordered HERE, will feature the 2015 remix and remaster.

Frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt commented:

“Hello folks! Our old ‘partners in cryme’ Music For Nations are planning a 20th-anniversary re-release of one of our odd records, this time ‘Damnation‘.

We want our records available on vinyl at all times, and it turns out we can’t keep stock! Our vinyl editions are flying out. I’ve seen it with my own eyes when I helped out in a record shop during the pandemic. Some customers didn’t know they’re buying it from one of the people responsible for the music.

Of course I went: ‘Good record, good band!’. So before there’s any moaning about ‘another reissue, another cash grab’ I want to stress out that it really comes down to public demand. We’ll present Steven Wilson’s updated mix (first available in 2015 or thereabouts) on limited edition opaque and transparent vinyl as well as on a picture disc, which I believe is the first time ever (?).

‘Damnation‘ is a special record, even if they’re all special to me. I remember hearing the first mix on headphones in a crummy hotel somewhere in the UK. I had trouble believing it was us, myself, Peter, Lopez, Mendez (as well as ol’ Steve on keys). It was completely different from anything we’d done up to that point, and quite frankly, since.

Out of all of our records, I think this one is most suitable for the vinyl format due to the fact that it is not really cluttered with stuff. A pretty airy recording with 5 musicians and done on 2 inch tapes as well. It’s a record I’m immensely proud over and it also remains a fan-favourite I believe.”

Steven Wilson, who assisted with production, added:

“At the time I remember getting death threats from metal fans for ‘ruining’ the band! As if it could be anyone’s intention but Mikael’s to do a record like that anyway. Damnation was when everyone understood that he was not going be trapped within the confines of any genre or label, and that the band’s importance and influence would be far reaching. Rightly so Damnation is now seen as a timeless masterpiece, and I’m very proud to have had my part in making it.”