”It´s a cold but sunny novemberday when I leave my work and go to the city. I feel a bit nervous but hopeful. I´m going to meet Peter Lindgren. Peter is playing at some of the records that meant most to me in my life, so it´s big to meet him!
At 12 a clock sharp he comes in through the doors at Fridhemsplans subway-station where we decided to meet.
The Fanclub is going to buy him lunch and he suggests an Indian restaurant nearby. But…when we arrive they are closed. We choose an Italian restaurant nearby instead.
I think there are many people that´s wondering what Peter´s up to since he left Opeth. On the Internet he still figures in discussions, so there´s still an interest in him. Peter says that he sometimes check the Internet to be updated.
I ask Peter what he does now. He answers that he works with Information technology and that he likes that. Earlier in his life he got two qualified degrees. He has a Master of Science in physics and a master of philosophy. It´s a well educated guy that sits in front of me! After the last long tour he got a “regular” job in the IT-business. He was going to try that for 6 month. It was the intense touring that made me loose the engagement, Peter says. I felt that I couldn’t give a 100 % and that I didn’t totally appreciate it. Then it’s better to step aside. Opeth is about total commitment all the time, nothing else. The family was the other big reason to quit. It’s impossible to have a decent social life with that schedule we had. Peter’s married since several years and tells me that it’s not easy to combine a relationship with extensive touring. Peter doesn’t have any children but think it would be even harder if he had.
Peter is describing the time in Opeth in a loving way. He does not regret his decision to leave Opeth but he misses that special feeling with the guys. – How would he describe Opeth as a band, I ask him? He says that Opeth strength is the versatility ant that the different band members bring different influences to the music. Mikael is into the seventies, Per brings soe blues, Peter contributed with some pop-influences, like The Cure, and Mendez has his latino-background. But everybody has their love for heavy music in common, says Peter. It´s never boring listening to Opeh, says Peter. There´s so much going on in the music and despite that you´ve heard an Opeth record many times you always discover new things. Mikael´s writing the lyrics/music, but Peter still decribes him as interested in what the others can bring to the songs. Peter says that Opeth is a band with democracy in opposite to other bands that are led by a “dictator”!
So…is Peter up to something musically now? – No, nothing at this time, replies Peter. Obviously he plays at home. It´s not impossible that we might hear Peter on records in the future, but right now there are no plans.
Peter remembers that Opeth had the ambition to be the most evil band on earth when they started! He smiles when he thinks back at the great plans in his teens. We discuss the meaning of “evil” in Opeth music and Peter´s explains that is more a way to express a feeling through the music rather than to worship “evil”. A bit like “The Cure”, they are really good at expressing emotions through their music, says Peter. – We are not “evil” guys, laughs Peter!
What does Peter listen to nowadays? Peter laughs and answers: - Opeth! And that brings us to the new Opeth record. Peter tells me that it was a weird feeling to get a new Opeth CD in his hands that he hadn’t been a part of! The Previously CD´s he took part in making and those songs he already knew when the CD arrived. But this time it´s different… Peter says that he had trouble following the new songs at first and that it took a while to get into the record, but now when he got into it he calls it “Damn good”! He´s impressed by the professional production and the great sound of the album!
A big reason that Opeth hasn´t hit it “big time” I think, is because of the growling I tell Peter. He agrees, but says at the same time, that if Opeth should leave growling, it would not be Opeth anymore! I agree!
Besides listening to Opeth new CD, Peter´s in to some jazz. He tells me that his father’s a jazz musician and that he discovers a lot of good music in his father’s collection, like Miles Davis. But he’s listening to some heavy stuff too…like Emperor!
Ever been in a fan club, I ask Peter? -No, he replies. If you had started a fan club, what band would that be, I continue? – Iron maiden or Metallica, Peter replies fast! -Iron maiden was the reason I wanted to become a musician, says Peter.
Doesn’t Opeth have a unique position in the world of music, I ask Peter. -Yes, Peter answers. –There is a respect for the band that’s special. –Opeth are very respected among other bands and music journalists, says Peter.
Any album that has been extra important for you, I ask him? –“Master of Puppets”, Peter replies! – It´s the album that meant most to me. I was a huge Metallica-fan before, but that album turned my world upside down, Peter continues. Of course an album like “Master of Puppets” might affect a 12-year old more than an experienced 35-year guy. It probably takes more to get “knocked out” now! -The band “Camel” was also important, Peter says. -They opened up the world to the prog-rock in the 70´s and one could say that they are the reason – among others- that Opeth started to sound like we did, Peter reveals.
If you could listen to only one artist for the rest of your life, who would that be, I ask peter. – Probably Porcupine Tree, Peter replies. – Maybe for the same reason why some would choose Opeth: They are incredible versatile, the spectrum is very broad and all their material is high quality, thinks Peter.
Do you have any favorite guitarist, I ask Peter. –There are of course a number of great guitarists out there, but my “all time-favourite” is Eddie van Halen Peter reveals! Besides being skillfull as few others, he´s also extremely innovative. – He’s the reason to why the metal scene in the 80´s looked like it did. He’s not only a great lead guitarist, he also knows how to riff!
What does peter think of his replacement guitarist in Opeth? –Fredrik is great guitarist, Peter says and it seems that Peter thinks it’s a good choice that the band has made!
When we finished eating we head back to the subway. Peter is going back to his job where he has much to do now. I ask him if he gets recognized often? - No, says Peter, not often. -I´m not a public person and I like being a bit anonymous. A couple of minutes later a fan comes up to Peter and talk to him for a while! We laugh at the absurdity of that situation!
I thank Peter for the interview and when we say goodbye to each other I feel happy and satisfied. Peter´s very nice person and he seem to be a happy person that laughs a lot and besides that he has been playing in the greatest band on earth! – Yes, Opeth might very well be among the best bands in the world, says Peter.
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God bless who did this interview!
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