Opeth

OPETH frontman Mikael Škerfeldt has issued the following update:

"Back home finally!

"We had a great time in North America [on the Gigantour]... did some nice shows, especially Philadelphia, since that was our only headline gig. It felt good to sweat a little and parts of the show was like... magic!

"Got to know Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH mainman and Gigantour organizer] a little, and I don't care what anyone says about the guy, he's great! He always treated us and myself with great respect. I specifically enjoyed sipping Guinness with him in Tokyo. I also got to meet Ronnie Dio, there which was a BIG moment for me. We talked for hours and as he went back to his room he hugged me and said 'You're great, kid!' I still can't believe I've hung out with the guy who sang 'Stargazer' and 'Temple of the King'...insane!

"Japan overall was fantastic! It was our first trip there, and I was a little nervous that we wouldn't be up to the task. But we did really well...one of my favourite 'short' shows ever... The crowd was fantastic, all 12,000 of them! Had some great sushi and bough a nice bottle of Sake with me for home.

"Now I'm back home in Stockholm and it's great, to say the least. The house is a mess and I need to unpack so much stuff and fix the roof! Do the whole 'man' type stuff you know...

"We only have two short tours to go until the big hiatus. South America, unfortunately, got cancelled which is a drag (when will it fukkin' happen for us there???). Oh, the London/U.K. show [November 9] will be filmed for a possible DVD so make sure to be there!"