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Photo by Terhi Ylimäinen

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I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Martin Mendez, bassist for the legendary progressive metal band Opeth. During our conversation, Martin shared insights into his journey with the band, their musical evolution, and the challenges and triumphs of their career. Here’s Part 1 of our in-depth discussion.

Watch the full interview below

Dave Bruce: Martin, great to have you here. What’s that you’ve got there? A guitar? Are you warming up?
Martin Mendez: Yeah, just messing around a bit. Always warming up!

Dave: You’ve been with Opeth since 1997. Can you give us a bit of background on how the band came together?
Martin: Sure. The band actually started before even Mikael [Åkerfeldt] joined. He came in as the bass player initially, but the original singer left, and Mikael took over vocals and guitar. That’s when things really started to take shape. By the time I joined, they had two records out, but we weren’t touring yet.

Dave: Interesting. So, you’re originally from Uruguay, right? How did you end up in Sweden?
Martin: Yeah, I was born in Uruguay and moved to Sweden when I was 17. It was a big change, but Sweden’s a beautiful place.

Dave: It is! I’ve been there myself. Now, describe the journey Opeth has been on since you joined in 1997. How did things evolve for the band?
Martin: When I joined, we weren’t that popular. We started touring in 1999, and things changed when we released Blackwater Park. That album really put us on the map. Since then, we’ve been on a constant cycle of writing, recording, and touring. We’re now on our 14th album, which is incredible when you think about it.

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Dave: Fourteen albums is a massive achievement. How would you describe Opeth’s sound?
Martin: That’s a tough one! People say we incorporate folk, blues, classical, jazz, and death metal into our music. But for us, it’s just music. We have a lot of influences, and while it’s never purely one genre, we’ve managed to create our own sound, which is something we’re proud of.

Dave: That’s no easy feat, especially when you consider the complexity of your compositions. Speaking of which, your songs are known for being quite long. Is that a deliberate choice?
Martin: Not really. It’s just how we naturally write songs. We’ve never tried to fit into the typical radio format. For us, the music dictates its own length. Some songs might be three minutes, while others go on for over 10 minutes. It’s all about the flow.

Dave: Your latest album, The Last Will and Testament, is quite a shift. Can you tell us more about it?
Martin: Yeah, it’s a concept album. The name comes from the idea of a testament, like a legal document. That’s why the song titles are symbols instead of names. Musically, it’s a new chapter for us. We’ve brought back growls for the first time in about 16 years, combined with our progressive style. It feels fresh yet true to who we are.

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Dave: That’s an intriguing approach. Have you started playing songs from the album live yet?
Martin: We’ve played a couple of singles, S1 and S3, during our recent American tour. The full album hasn’t been performed live yet, but we’ll incorporate more tracks as we continue touring.

Dave: Speaking of touring, you’re heading to Australia soon. What do you love most about playing here?
Martin: I love the people and the weather. Playing at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House is always special. We’ll be mixing songs from the new album with older material, so there’s something for everyone.

Dave: After nearly 30 years, how do you keep pushing forward creatively?
Martin: We’re always trying to improve as musicians and composers. There’s always more to learn, and our love for music keeps us motivated. It’s a never-ending journey.

Dave: What advice would you give to young musicians trying to follow in your footsteps?
Martin: Be open-minded. Listen to all kinds of music, not just one genre. Drawing inspiration from different styles can help you grow as a musician and writer. And most importantly, stay true to yourself.

“Opeth’s set was characterised by their signature blend of death metal and progressive rock, a style they’ve honed since their formation. Their performance was not just a showcase of technical skill but also a testament to their ability to create a deep, diverse sonic experience… further solidifying their legacy as one of the most innovative and influential bands in heavy music.” Metal Junkbox

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Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with Martin Mendez, bassist of the iconic progressive metal band, Opeth. In this segment, we dive deeper into Martin’s personal journey, musical inspirations, and his reflections on life both on and off the stage.

The Craziest Thing He’s Ever Done

When asked about the craziest thing he’s ever done, Martin reflected on his bold decision to leave Uruguay for Sweden at the age of 17. “I didn’t know anything about Sweden, not even English,” he said. “My dream was to play in a metal band, and I thought, why not give it a go?” Sweden, being a hub for metal music, seemed like the perfect destination.

Martin shared that he had a friend whose mother was in Sweden, which helped him make the move. “It was a leap of faith, really. Looking back, it was pretty crazy, but it was worth it.”

Topics That Keep Him Talking

When the conversation turned to his favorite topics, Martin admitted he could talk about music, food, and even football for hours. “European football, of course,” he clarified, with a grin. “I’m fond of Barcelona, especially since I live here now.”

Staying Grounded in the Spotlight

Martin’s humility is one of his defining traits. When asked what he likes most about himself, he revealed, “I’m patient. It’s something that’s helped me through various challenges.” Despite being in a globally renowned band, Martin has always seen himself as “a normal person who happens to play in a popular band.”

“This whole ‘rockstar’ thing is kind of weird,” he admitted. “I’ve never been into that lifestyle. I just enjoy playing music and connecting with fans who appreciate what we do.”

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Breaking Metal Stereotypes

We also discussed the misconceptions surrounding metal musicians. “People often think we’re all about drugs and chaos,” Martin said. “But for many of us, it’s just about the music. These days, it’s more about staying healthy and performing well. We’re getting older, and this is our job now.”

Favorites – A Quick Fire Round

To wrap things up, we asked Martin to share some of his favorites:

– Favorite Album: “Porgy and Bess” by Miles Davis. “It’s a masterpiece,” he said.

– Favorite Artist: Jaco Pastorius, the legendary bass player from Weather Report.

– Favorite Movie: The Godfather. “A classic,” he noted.

– Favorite Place to Visit: “I love discovering new places, but Japan, Australia, and South America are among my favorites.”

– Favorite Food: Grilled meat, specifically picanha, a Brazilian specialty.

– Favorite Drink: “Water, but I also enjoy red wine.”

– Favorite Person in History: Pepe Mujica, a former president of Uruguay. “He was the best president ever,” Martin stated proudly.

– Favorite Venue: The Sydney Opera House. “An unforgettable experience,” he said.

Closing Thoughts

As our conversation came to an end, Martin expressed his excitement about Opeth’s upcoming tour and his gratitude for the band’s enduring fanbase. “I love what I do, and I’m thankful for the people who support us,” he said.

Stay tuned to Amnplify for updates on Opeth’s tour and exclusive content. And if you haven’t already, check out Part 1 (above) of our interview with Martin Mendez for more insights into his incredible journey.

Lineup:

Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars
Fredrik Åkesson – Guitars, backing vocals
Martin Mendez – Bass guitar
Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums and percussion
Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards, backing vocals

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Album cover by Travis Smith

The last WILL and TESTAMENT
Tracklist:

01 – §1 [LISTEN]
02 – §2
03 – §3 [LISTEN]
04 – §4
05 – §5
06 – §6
07 – §7
08 – A Story Never Told

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Follow OPETH
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

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About Reigning Phoenix Music

Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme, hard, and heavy music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists, by offering best services and practices in the industry. Most important is to help the artists amplify their art and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, England, headed by experienced industry veteran Paolo d’Alessandro.

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Watch the full interview below

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Press Release 17th November 2024 (below) HERE

OPETH
announce Australian and
New Zealand headline tour
in November 2025

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Photo by Terhi Ylimäinen

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OPETH
AUSTRALIAN and NEW ZEALAND
Tour Dates 2025

Friday 14 November – Auckland – Town Hall
Monday 17 November – Sydney – Sydney Opera House
Tuesday 18 November – Sydney – Sydney Opera House
Thursday 20 November – Brisbane Fortitude – Music Hall
Friday 21 November – Melbourne – Palais Theatre
Saturday 22 November – Adelaide Hindley St Music Hall
Monday 24 November – Perth – Astor Theatre

Tickets on sale NOW from HERE and HERE

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AMNPLIFY – DB