List of Opeth band members

Opeth is a Swedish progressive death metal band from Stockholm. Originally formed in 1989 by vocalist David Isberg, the group's earliest members were fired upon the arrival of guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt, with whom Isberg formally restarted the group as a two-piece in 1990.[1][2] The pair later hired guitarist Andreas Dimeo, bassist Nick Döring and drummer Anders Nordin to complete the first official lineup of Opeth.[3] Dimeo and Döring both left after the band's first show in February 1991, with Kim Pettersson and Johan De Farfalla (both members of local "sleazy metal" band Crimson Cat) taking their respective places.[4] De Farfalla left after the band's second show, with Peter Lindgren joining on bass for a third show later in the year, after which Petterson left and Lindgren switched over to guitar.[4][5] Isberg also left Opeth in early 1992 due to "creative differences".[6] Åkerfeldt later recalled that "at the time, I thought [Isberg's departure] was good for the band, as he no longer seemed as interested as the rest of us".[4]

Opeth performing in 2016.

Following Isberg's departure, Åkerfeldt took over as the lead vocalist of Opeth, and writing for a debut studio album began with Lindgren and Nordin.[7] After a period as a three-piece, Mattias Ander briefly joined as the group's bassist,[8] before Stefan Guteklint joined later in the year.[7] Guteklint was fired by Åkerfeldt and Lindgren just over a year later, with former bassist De Farfalla returning for the recording of the group's debut album Orchid.[5] After a tour in promotion of Opeth's second album Morningrise in 1996, Åkerfeldt and Lindgren fired De Farfalla without consulting Nordin, which also led to him leaving the band.[9] Opeth briefly considered breaking up, before bringing in drummer Martin Lopez and later bassist Martín Méndez; bass on 1998's My Arms, Your Hearse was recorded by Åkerfeldt, as Méndez had joined too late to contribute.[10]

After the release of Damnation in 2003, which marked a change in the band's musical style to a more keyboard-heavy progressive rock-influenced sound, Opeth added Per Wiberg as a touring keyboardist.[11] He later became an official member of the band in 2005.[12] After suffering a string of stress-related illnesses and panic attacks, Lopez ceased performing with Opeth in August 2005, with Martin "Axe" Axenrot filling for a number of tours.[13] By the following May the drummer had officially left the band, with Axenrot officially taking his place.[14] Lindgren also left the group a year later, stating that he had "lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in [the] band"; he was replaced by Fredrik Åkesson.[15] In April 2011, it was announced that Wiberg had left the band.[16] He was replaced by Joakim Svalberg.[17]