Opeth has spoken here and there about intentions of doing a new record to come out in 2019, but now it's actually happening. Guitarist Fredrik Åkesson tells FaceCulture that Opeth is currently in the demoing process of a new album and currently has just about 12 songs under their collective belt.

Åkesson says the band's goal is to finish at least 15 tracks for the record and to hopefully get it out within the first quarter of 2019.

"We're very much into the demoing. I've recorded a lot of solos so far. And Mikael has almost already written 12 songs for the new album, so we have more material than enough for an album. But I think we will at least try to finish 15 songs. So hopefully we'll work on song ideas very soon."

When asked about the direction of the new album, Åkesson says it's "more complex, more energetic, and I think it's gonna be something" compared to the last three albums. I'd imagine he compares it to the last three albums, those being Heritage, Pale Communion, and Sorceress, because they're the ones that saw the band completely change direction.

"If we enjoy it, we can only hope that people that enjoy listening to OPETH will enjoy it; that would be nice. But if we're happy with it, we will release it; it's quite simple. I think this is kind of a Mikael question in a way, since he's the creative director for the band, so I know, speaking for him a little bit here, that he always tries to push everything into something new. And I think people will enjoy this new album."