OPETH’s MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT Says “Progressive” Has Lost Its Meaning In Modern Rock & Metal

Once upon a time, progressive rock and metal were defined by boundary-breaking ideas, stylistic experimentation, and a refusal to play by established rules. According to Opeth mastermind Mikael Åkerfeldt, that spirit has largely faded — and he’s not convinced the term “progressive” even means much anymore.

In a recent interview with Prog Project, Åkerfeldt shared his frustration with how the genre has evolved, explaining that what was once adventurous now often feels predictable and cliché. “I’m not sure if it’s so important for me to feel that we are progressive, because I don’t really know what it means anymore,” said Åkerfeldt.

Looking back, he noted that progressive bands were once easy to identify — not because of technical prowess alone, but because of their willingness to blend styles and take risks. “Back in the day, I think that it was easier to define a progressive band because they were mixing styles and stuff like that,” he said. “But now progressive means fast guitar solos, and it’s become a sound and maybe not so progressive.”

Åkerfeldt went even further, suggesting that the genre’s modern direction contradicts its original mission. “I think progressive music, especially in rock and metal, has become a bit regressive,” he said.

Because of that shift, Åkerfeldt no longer feels invested in whether Opeth is labeled as a progressive band at all. “I don’t know if I can decide if we are progressive or not. I think it’s up to the audience to decide,” he explained. “But for me, it’s become less and less important to be labelled progressive because I don’t know what it means anymore.”

When asked whether he actively tries to be “progressive” while writing Opeth‘s music, Åkerfeldt was unequivocal. “No,” he said. “I don’t wanna repeat myself.”

He acknowledged that some fans would prefer the band to revisit the sound of their early-2000s era, but that approach holds little appeal for him creatively. “Many of our fans want us to maybe repeat what we did in the early 2000s, but I’m not really interested in that,” Åkerfeldt said. “I like for us to progress, but not necessarily just so we fit into the progressive rock/metal genre.”

Instead, Åkerfeldt focuses on artistic growth on Opeth‘s own terms, driven by his diverse influences and emotional intent rather than genre expectations. “When I write music, it’s easy to make progress for our own music,” he said. “I have so many different kinds of influences, and I’m very passionate about my music. At the end of the day, I just wanna write emotional music.”