The disconnection of mankind via a modern technology-choked society is painted through the words sung by Mikael Åkerfeldt. Usually, the singer of this well-known metal band comes up with inspiration from being immersed in life’s many wonders. Opeth, a metal band from Sweden, has released a new song “Dignity“, and the video is eyeopening. Mikael Åkerfeldt, the lead singer of the band, discusses how the album is mainly about human loneliness.

He tells in an interview with Moderbolaget Records / Nuclear Blast on August 29th, “I think people are very very lonely. And that type of isolation stems from everything being just a few clicks away. Is a very interesting thing…It is really difficult for me to adjust to this… people are watching people play games.. they don’t spend much time with their friends.. (this) inspired some of the lyrics (for the album).” Inside the video, we are given clues to how mind control is a part of our society, from the symbolic art of the clown, all-seeing eye, Illuminati symbol, a girl bound to her evil bed, all the way to children’s heads floating to come consume currency.

The first lyrics of the song are in Swedish and translated in English to, “At a year’s end many will experience a feeling of melancholy, considering that which will never return. To others, it is a moment of anticipation for the possibilities of conquering the new. Others yet will experience a concern facing a change that provides uncertainty and possible deterioration. All of these emotions are each in their own understandable. Someone said the other day that we reside in the great time of rupture…”.

Which is interesting because “Dignity”, has also come out in a purely Swedish version as well, “Svekets Prins“. This version is posted below.

The music video contains a multitude of ideals and interesting paper-like art that is visually captivating. The characters all have qualities that are non-humanlike, there is an originality to this video that is so very enchanting. When the video begins, we are being taken through the mouth of a theatrical clown face, then the choir-like beginning gives the idea that there is more than one character in this song. This song is complex for a reason. The layers and chapters to this song give the listener time to insert missing pieces with their own imagination. Between the orchestra breaks and the guitar solos, this six-minute forty-one-second song raises eyebrows and sparks the imagination. Opeth has their way with music. The range of their folk to heavy metal songs creates an edgy heavy reaction within the human psyche. The English version is posted below.

This is just one song off their 13th album, other songs on the album are just as mind grabbing. This album was well worth the wait.

In Cauda Venenum, out September 27th, 2019!

Tracklisting:

1. Livet’s Trädgård / Garden Of Earthly Delights

2. Svekets Prins / Dignity

3. Hjärtat Vet Vad Handen Gör / Heart In Hand

4. De Närmast Sörjande / Next Of Kin

5. Minnets Yta / Lovelorn Crime

6. Charlatan

7. Ingen Sanning Är Allas / Universal Truth

8. Banemannen / The Garroter

9. Kontinuerlig Drift / Continuum

10. Allting Tar Slut / All Things Will Pass

Photo Credit: Pamela Lin Photography