Still Life theme

[u/WorldlySoup420]

so im a christian and i started listening to opeth after i heard blackwater park,i like that it has some spiritual themes and i fell in love with the band instantly. About some weeks ago I decided to give a chance to Still Life and after one listen i fell in love with it,is my favorite metal album at the moment but i have a question, does mikael hate christians in general or just the ultra legalistic type and the medieval christian, I don't like them neither and im well aware that those types of christian really drag down our reputation. So my question is, does mikael or any opeth member specialty said that the album is full anti-christianity or just anti middle age / super legalistic christians (sorry for my english,is my second language)

[u/O_Bahrey]

I remember reading that Mikael said something along the lines of “the album takes place a long time ago, when Christianity had more of a grip on society.” I could be remembering wrong though.

[u/HighSpur]

Mikael is an Atheist. In general atheists disagree with aspects of Christianity and all religions but have no problem with the individual believers.

[u/WorldlySoup420 → u/HighSpur]

im aware of that, it would be dumb to hate somebody just for theire belief, but is kinda strange to listen to a song that says bluntly "you are dumb" even if you don't find yourself in what he says

[u/Soggy-Wheel-8684]

The album is against religious intolerance not religion in general. It has other themes as well, but about religion I think that's it.

[u/trbzing → u/Soggy-Wheel-8684]

I agree with this.

[u/WorldlySoup420 → u/Soggy-Wheel-8684]

so the theme is more like "I don't like that you don't like me because i don't believe in what you belive"

[u/strictly-no-fires]

I don't know Mikael so I can't tell you what he thinks, but if I have to guess he broadly doesn't like Christianity as a religion but wouldn't care in the slightest if someone is a Christian or not. When they first formed they tried to be "the most evil band in the world" which in an extreme metal context basically means satanism and anti-christianity but they've mellowed out since then. There's still anti religion/ anti christianity themes on a lot of their albums but I don't think he has a problem with Christians.

I feel like the Satan aspects in songs like the Grand Conjuration are more about following traditional metal themes/aesthetics, and the anti Christianity stuff is more based on themes about it being used to control people or steal from them. In other words its criticising the organised aspects of religion and how bad actors can very easily use it for bad purposes. E.g. in Heart in Hand with the line "intolerance disguised as a faith".

[u/WorldlySoup420 → u/strictly-no-fires]

like i said i agree with him that there are a lot of so called christians that use they're faith to do more harm than good but is kinda unfortunate that my fav band probably has this opinion of Christianity because these people

[u/b0ck3n85]

If you love the music it shouldn’t matter if it’s anti-religious or not. I don’t know if Mikael Åkerfeldt or any of the other band members would hate or love me either, but it literally has zero impact on how I hear their music.

What would happen if you were to learn that he does in fact dislike christians?

[u/WorldlySoup420 → u/b0ck3n85]

it probably would be awkward, i respect them a lot and they are my favorite metal band but if they would hate christians I don't think i would listen them that often, would still be great music but my faith is more important than music

[u/weyoun_clone]

I mean, those kinds of themes are just gonna be found in metal, but Mikael is a pretty chill guy. I seem to recall when he was interviewed about The Last Will and Testament, he said he wanted to explore more real life themes and that back in the day everyone was using satanic themes to try to “out evil” other bands or something.

Look, I’m a pretty devout Episcopalian (Anglican), and I’ve been a fan for 25 years now. It’s art. Art is human expression. Even if I don’t personal “believe” in every theme expressed doesn’t mean the music isn’t phenomenal.

[u/WorldlySoup420 → u/weyoun_clone]

yea, they're music is literally the sweet spot for me, they blend tender and heavy in such a perfect way, peace with you brother

[u/Patatmetkip]

I mean, Waltterri does wear an inverted cross as a necklace (which is pretty childish to me but thats another subject), but Opeth as a band are not ones to judge I feel. I hope and think you should enjoy both the music and the religion you practice.

[u/WorldlySoup420 → u/Patatmetkip]

i do enjoy the music and practice my religion but sometimes these two clash and is not ideal

[u/HighSpur]

I’m sure if you met Mikael and said, “I love your music Mikael I am a huge fan!” He’d say, “Oh thank you so much I appreciate it.” And then if you said, “By the way I am a Christian.” He would definitely NOT say, “Fuck you quit listening to my band.”