Opeth split their fan base pretty heavily when it came to their last album, Heritage, and while they show no signs of stopping with experimentation, it seems as though things are headed back toward the heavy once more.

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Frontman Mikael Akerfeldt told Expressen Newspaper in an interview regarding the band's next release:

"Maybe a little bit heavier. Not death metal heavy, but hard rock/heavy metal heavy. There's also lots of progressive elements and acoustic guitars, but also more sinister-sounding riffs… but it will be an expensive album. There's a lot going on, lots of string arrangements that we haven't had in the past."

Sign me right the hell up; we're getting back to what Akerfeldt is good at… heavy! He also said in the interview:

"I love the way Dio's Holy Diver sounds, this early-'80s sound where you can still hear the '70s, but the production is heavier. Right now I'm into having a similar production that isn't retro but it still sounds like real instruments and it's heavier than Heritage."

The interview also mentioned that the record will be out in Spring of 2014, as the band are wrapping up writing and recording the effort currently. They're also looking to record, but have solidifed anything yet, at Rockfield Studios in Wales, which is where Queen recorded "Bohemian Rhapsody"… which is cool. If you're hoping for growls in the vocals though, don't get your hopes up. Mikael is over it with the growls.

[via Blabbermouth]