asauldm | Music

“§7” (Paragraph 7) is one of the most intriguing and complex tracks by the Swedish progressive metal masters Opeth, taken from their conceptual album The Last Will and Testament, released in late 2024.

For many fans, this track was a true celebration, as it marked Mikael Åkerfeldt’s return to growling (extreme vocals) for the first time in over 15 years.

It is a blend of aggressive death metal, intricate jazz harmonies, and atmospheric Hammond organ parts. “§7” features extraordinarily dynamic tempo changes — shifting from chaotic, almost dissonant riffs to unexpectedly melodic and grand symphonic passages.

Throughout the track (and the album as a whole), you can hear the voice of the legendary Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), who acts as a notary or the deceased himself, reading out sections of the will.

“That song was scary to play live at first. Most of our songs are difficult, I suppose, and this one is no exception. I think we all love playing it. There are a lot of details that could go wrong, but it’s fun. It keeps you on your toes. And, of course, there’s Ian Anderson’s narration — the only part of our set that isn’t ‘live.’ Since we don’t play to a click track, it can drag or speed up depending on the tempo of the evening. Again, it’s fun, and I like the unpredictable nature of this song live. It’s a bit strange because usually I want to feel completely confident and know exactly what I’m doing. Generally, I don’t like surprises on stage.” — Mikael Åkerfeldt

The composition “§7” is considered one of the finest examples of how Opeth successfully merged their old-school heaviness with the vast experience they have accumulated in progressive music over the years.