OPETH and KATATONIA have packed Detroit's iconic Masonic Temple — specifically the Jack White Theatre within the sprawling complex — as their "Last Will And Testament North American Tour Part 2" continues its triumphant march across the continent. The co-headlining package has been one of the most critically praised and commercially successful tours of the season, with multiple dates selling out well in advance.
The Detroit show exemplified everything that has made this pairing so compelling. OPETH delivered a masterclass in dynamic range, opening with atmospheric passages that slowly built into crushing crescendos before pivoting into the brutal death metal that defined their early career. Mikael Akerfeldt was in characteristically playful form between songs, regaling the audience with his dry Scandinavian humor while transitioning seamlessly into devastating vocal performances that showcase both his soaring clean singing and his legendary death growl.
KATATONIA's set provided the perfect atmospheric counterbalance, their brand of melancholic progressive rock washing over the audience in waves of shimmering guitars and Jonas Renkse's hauntingly beautiful vocals. The band drew from across their extensive catalog, including fan favorites from "The Great Cold Distance," "Night Is the New Day," and "Dead End Kings," along with material from their more recent releases. The interplay between Renkse's introspective songwriting and Anders Nystrom's textured guitar work created an immersive sonic experience that left many in the audience visibly moved.
The Masonic Temple itself, a massive 1926-built structure that houses multiple performance venues, provided a suitably grand and slightly eerie backdrop for two bands whose music trades heavily in atmosphere and gravitas. The tour continues to Chicago's Riviera Theatre on February 11 and St. Louis on February 12, with more dates running through mid-February before wrapping up.