OPETH Releases First-Ever DVD Through KOCH Records & Confirms North American Tour with DevilDriver and Moonspell

Swedens OPETH is a unique entity. The band balances an intense focus on musicianship with a singular sonic intrigue imbued by their mix of driving aggression and prog-influenced exploration. OPETHs notoriety has been built over a succession of ground-breaking releases over the past few years on KOCH Records/Music For Nations: From 2001s eclectic Blackwater Park to the 2003s double shot of the menacing Deliverance (which Rolling Stone Magazine deemed ...shockingly beautiful thunder") and its polar opposite, the sedate, thought-provoking Damnation (described by Guitar World Magazine as ...a stunning demonstration of the groups versatility"). Damnation also yielded the bands first video, for the track Windowpane", which received considerable airplay on MTVs Headbangers Ball.

(PRWEB) January 14, 2004 --An intense touring schedule over the intervening years proved to the world that OPETH was not merely a studio band, but a sight to behold. Each song is a suite...,"proclaimed the New York Times. The Village Voice concurred, Opeth schooled even the most metal among us."

In recognition of the bands achievements and its rapidly increasing fan base, KOCH Records is pleased to announce the February 24th release of OPETHs first-ever DVD, entitled Lamentations -- Live at Shepherds Bush Empire 2003. This special release not only exhibits the bands palpable technical prowess but also OPETHs inimitable charm as performers, drawing the viewer into the mesmerizing web of atmospheric musicianship.

The DVD, presented in High Definition widescreen format, offers audio options in Stereo, 5.1 Surround, and DTS, and the 2-hour set list offers a brilliant mix of OPETHs finest offerings, including a performance of the Damnation album in its entirety!

The track listing includes:

Windowpane                 Weakness
In My Time of Need         Harvest
Death Whispered a Lullaby The Leper Affinity
Closure                    Masters Apprentices
Hope Leaves                Deliverance
To Rid The Disease         The Drapery Falls
Ending Credits             A Fair Judgment

Lamentations -- Live at Shepherds Bush Empire 2003 also includes a 65-minute documentary on the making of the Deliverance and Damnation albums, where fans can actually witness the actual composition and production of the two releases. Composed of in-depth behind-the-scenes footage, studio outtakes, and interviews with the entire band (guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt, guitarist Peter Lindgren, bassist Martin Mendez, drummer Martin Lopez) as well as producer/collaborator Steven Wilson (vocalist/guitarist for the progressive outfit Porcupine Tree), the making of" feature offers an intuitive glimpse of true masterminds at work.

Åkerfeldt offers, What we tried to do with this release was to put out something that had the same quality and honesty of our studio albums. I truly feel that the DVD represents what we sound like in a live situation, and the documentary also offers insight on how it is recording an album, or albums in our case. I'm really proud over this DVD!"

OPETH is promoting the DVD release throughout winter on an extensive North American tour with aggro-rockers DevilDriver and the enchanting Moonspell on a rotating bill.

Tour dates include:

Tuesday, January 20th                         Edmonton, AB, Can.                            Reds

Wednesday, January 21st                    Calgary, AB, Can.                                MacEwan Hall Ballroom

Friday, January 23rd                             Vancouver, BC, Can.                         Commodore Ballroom

Saturday, January 24th                         Seattle, WA                                         Graceland

Sunday, January 25th                         Portland, OR                                         Roseland

Tuesday, January 27th                         Tempe, AZ                                            Marquee Theatre

Wednesday, January 28th                 San Diego, CA                                     Canes Bar & Grill

Thursday, January 29th                        W. Hollywood, CA                             House of Blues (LA)

Friday, January 30th                             Anaheim, CA                                        House of Blues (Anaheim)

Saturday, January 31st                         San Francisco, CA                             The Fillmore

Monday, February 2nd                         Denver, CO                                         Ogden Theatre

Tuesday, February 3rd                         Lawrence, KS                                        Bottleneck

Wednesday, February 4th                 Oklahoma City, OK                             Diamond Ballroom

Thursday, February 5th                        Dallas, TX                                             Trees

Friday, February 6th                             Austin, TX                                            The Back Room

Saturday, February 7th                         Houston, TX                                         Engine Room

Monday, February 9th                         Tampa, FL                                             Masquerade

Tuesday, February 10th                     Ft. Lauderdale, FL                                Culture Room

Thursday, February 12th                     Lake Buena Vista, FL                         House Of Blues (Orlando)

Friday, February 13th                            Atlanta, GA                                         Masquerade

Saturday, February 14th                     Charlotte, NC                                        Tremont Music Hall

Sunday, February 15th                         Washington, DC                                 9:30 Club

Monday, February 16th                        Cincinnati, OH                                     Bogarts

Wednesday, February 18th                 Minneapolis, MN                                 The Quest

Thursday, February 19th                     Chicago, IL                                            House of Blues

Friday, February 20th                            Detroit, MI                                            Harpos Concert Theatre

Saturday, February 21st                     Latham, NY                                         Saratoga Winners

Sunday, February 22nd                         Montreal, QC, Can.                             The Medley

Tuesday, February 24th                     Toronto, ON, Can.                             Opera House

Wednesday, February 25th                 Rochester, NY                                     Steel Music Hall

Thursday, February 26th                     Philadelphia, PA                                 Trocadero

Friday, February 27th                            New York, NY                                     Irving Plaza

Saturday, February 28th                     Worcester, MA                                    The Palladium

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