Fans of progressive music may finally have reason to be optimistic about a long-awaited collaboration between Mikael Åkerfeldt and Steven Wilson. In a new interview with Metal Hammer, the OPETH frontman confirmed that the two musicians have recently been discussing the possibility of working together again.
The pair previously joined forces under the moniker STORM CORROSION, releasing their acclaimed self-titled album Storm Corrosion in 2012. More than a decade later, Åkerfeldt says the idea of creating something new together is once again on the table.
“We’re constantly talking about it,” Åkerfeldt said. “We are going to try something at some point. How, when, et cetera, I don’t really know, but I met Steve recently. I went to see his show and we went out for a drink afterwards and hung out and talked a bit.”
The two musicians recently crossed paths in Australia, where they discussed the possibility of collaborating again while their touring commitments begin to slow down.
“He was, like me, wanting to focus more on creative work for a period of time – as opposed to touring, touring, touring – which gives us an opening for a thing like that. He’s finished touring his last record [2025’s The Overview] and we’re touring our record [2024’s The Last Will And Testament] until the end of this year.”
Although the original STORM CORROSION project naturally serves as a reference point, Åkerfeldt made it clear that neither artist intends to simply recreate what they did in 2012.
“I think the idea is always Storm Corrosion 2. But, knowing me and knowing Steve, we don’t really have a blueprint to follow, apart from the fact that we did a record [almost] 15 years ago.”
Interestingly, the possibility of new music from the duo had already been hinted at in earlier interviews. Speaking previously about future plans outside of OPETH, Åkerfeldt suggested he was eager to explore projects beyond the band.
“I cannot say much, but I have a project that I’m doing in May. Hopefully, it will materialize, but I am doing something in May. That’s going to be fun. Then, I might have some project as well, like, for me, not for the band. I’m a bit burned out, as you can probably tell. I would really need a break from the band and be regular Mikael, not band Mikael.”
For now, no official project has been announced, but with both musicians openly discussing the idea and their schedules beginning to align, the possibility of a new collaboration between Åkerfeldt and Wilson appears closer than it has been in years.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.