Mikael Akerfeldt, lead vocalist and guitarist for Opeth, has announced a new Swedish-language project that he is working on with producer Dan Swanö and some of Akerfeldt’s friends. He describes his vision for the project as being “folky and psychedelic.”

Blabbermouth reported on Akerfeldt’s interview with Holland’s FaceCulture, in which he talks about his ideas for the new project as well as his work with Opeth. Last year, Opeth co-headlined a tour with Flames, with Red Fang as an opener for both. In the interview, Akerfeldt said, “I’m thinking of a project, actually — a thing that I want to do with a couple of friends of mine, that I will be writing for. And also, of course, [I will be working on the] new Opeth album, hopefully. I have written snippets of music that I haven’t decided where they’re gonna end up yet — or I haven’t decided if they’re gonna end up anywhere yet.”

In fact, Akerfeldt e-mailed a friend he has worked with on music in the past to participate in the currently untitled project with him, as well as having another friend in mind who is not only a classically trained pianist but also plays bass and has a studio. Lastly, Akerfeldt asked Dan Swanö to play drums for the project, saying that Swanö produced the first two Opeth albums, 1995’s Orchid and 1996’s Morningrise.

On the timing of the “solo” project, Akerfeldt said:

Good question. I don’t really know. I’ve just been thinking about… I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I can’t get it out of my head. So it means something.

Watch his full interview with FaceCulture below in two parts: