Coinciding with their appearance at Wacken Open Air this week, Swedish prog titans Opeth have confirmed the release of their 14th full length studio album, The Last Will & Testament. The band teased the announcement in building the anticipated for their performance for the start if the annual German metal festival. 

Among the band's most ambitious creative efforts to date, The Last Will & Testament' is a narrative-driven, Post World War i concept album. Drafting a layered story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament also comes with deep-seeded family secrets.

Following the theme of the reading of the last will and testament, the patriarch's posthumous confessions, create a domino effect of fallout. Along with a elaborate cast of characters, the complete story is one that unfolds throughout the course of the album's eight epic songs. 

Coupled with the news of the October 11th release via Reigning Phoenix Music, Opeth has unveiled an opulent first single from the album with "§1". The track sets the scene for complex story of family that lies ahead, while showcasing the band's undeniable prowess as one of prog metal's most celebrated, enduring collectives. 

Opeth vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt spoke of the newest effort and how the band tend to prioritize the unconventional. "I love this record. I have to say it. Maybe I’m proud even? There are some familiar ingredients in there I suppose. Most of our music has sprung from the same source, so I guess it’s not much of a shocker if it’s going to sound like 'us’.

I’m a bit in awe of what we did with 'The Last Will and Testament'. It feels like a dream. There is some 'coherence' and 'songwriting skills' I hope, but what do I know? I tend to favour the 'strange' over the 'obvious,' but I feel like I’m in the minority, and that’s fine."

The album amrks the first Opeth record with Waltteri Väyrynen on drums and was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (Ghost, The Hellacopters). Enlisting longtime collaborator in visual artist Travis Smith to craft the album's artwork, Smith's take on The Last Will & Testament takes cues from Stanley Kubrick's "Overlook Hotel" photograph, marking the 11th joint effort between the two. 

In addition to Opeth's previously announced North American headlining tour set for this fall, Opeth have confirmed an extensive European tour for February of next year. The band is offering a special bundle for fans who pre-order 'The Last Will & Testament'. 

Starting August 2nd at 10:00am CEST, fans that pre-order the album will receive a special ticket pre-sale code for tickets to the European tour dates. The offer will ends August 6th. General on sale is set to begin August 9th at 10am local time. See the complete list of Opeth tour dates below. Get tickets - HERE

The Last Will & Testament arrives October 11th via Reigning Phoenix Music. Order the album - HERE