Boy meets lady. Boy falls in love with lady, however when boy meets lady’s household and pals, they undoubtedly don’t love him. So, boy and lady attempt to run away, hijinks ensue, yadda yadda yadda, folks wind up lifeless. It’s a story as outdated as time, one which’s been interpolated by storytelling masters like William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet), Oliver Stone (Pure Born Killers), and likewise Opeth singer and guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt, who spun star-crossed lovers assembly their grotesque demise into prog metallic gold with 1999’s Nonetheless Life.

Nonetheless Life marks the start of Opeth as most of their listeners have come to know them. It’s their first document with bassist Martín Méndez, whose addition solidified Opeth’s traditional lineup. It’s additionally their first collaboration with Travis Smith, who has produced all their album covers since.

On the identical time, it captures a band present process a transition each musically and commercially. Disparate songs just like the totally moshable “Serenity Painted Loss of life” and the romantic ballad “Face of Melinda” develop on each the darkish and lightweight items of the chiaroscuro model the band innovated with their Corridor of Fame-inducted debut Orchid. Opeth haven’t totally dedicated to each extremes on the identical document since. It’s additionally their first and solely launch with Peaceville Information; their swift entry-then-exit from that roster is as harrowing as Nonetheless Life’s plot.

With Nonetheless Life, Opeth entered their imperial part. It’s additionally the album that elevated them from European curiosities to a worldwide phenomenon. Opeth’s first present in america, a concurrently fraught and triumphant set at Milwaukee Metalfest, got here after Nonetheless Life dropped. Thereafter, Åkerfeldt, Méndez, guitarist Peter Lindgren and drummer Martin Lopez turned important and business successes. With out Nonetheless Life, they by no means would have made its beloved instant follow-up Blackwater Park (additionally a Corridor of Fame inductee).

Furthermore, if Nonetheless Life hadn’t bloomed, Opeth most likely by no means would have made anything. The band created it whereas on the finish of their collective rope, with their future doubtful and just about with out rehearsals—or any completed songs, for that matter. To listen to them inform it, the album was a Hail Mary at making one thing—something—work for them. Its tumultuous manufacturing was a hazy nightmare.

Nonetheless Life tells a love story, however making the album was a horror story, one they’re proud to inform as we induct this traditional into the Corridor of Fame.

Want extra traditional Opeth? To learn your entire seven-page story, that includes interviews with the members who carried out on Nonetheless Life, buy the print challenge from our retailer, or digitally through our app for iPhone/iPad or Android.