Opeth unfortunately parted ways with drummer Martin Axenrot in 2021, but found a new drummer in Waltteri Väyrynen (Abhorrence, ex-Bodom After Midnight, ex-Paradise Lost, etc.). While it's obvious why got the gig – dude is an incredible drummer – his audition video was never made public. Until now.
Väyrynen is now streaming his cover of "The Devil's Orchard" by Opeth filmed back in 2022 as an audition, and it rips. Which is a given, considering Väyrynen got the job.
"I realized I never posted publicly this video that eventually got me the gig in Opeth," wrote Väyrynen. "Was really fun to revisit this after a few years now.
"The performance is far from perfect but it's interesting for me to see the differences and nuances compared to how I actually play this song live nowadays, not to mention thinking about all the stuff that's happened and we have done as a band ever since recording this! I'm playing along to the album track here without a click so the timing is bit slightly off here and there. Anyways, hope you enjoy it!"
Opeth also has an upcoming North American tour with Katatonia kicking off in a few months, which I think we all need to go to. The tour kicks off on February 5 at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ and wraps up a few weeks later on February 25 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre in Vancouver, BC. The tour is a part of Opeth touring in support of their latest record The Last Will and Testament. Get your tickets here.
2/5 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont Theater
2/6 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
2/7 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore Philadelphia
2/10 Detroit, MI Masonic Jack White Theatre
2/11 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
2/12 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
2/14 Dallas, TX The Bomb Factory
2/15 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center
2/16 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
2/18 Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center
2/20 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
2/21 Riverside, CA Riverside Municipal Auditorium
2/22 Sacramento, CA Channel 24
2/24 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
2/25 Vancouver, BC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
