OPETH recently announced the title and track listing for their upcoming 10th studio album "Heritage" (out September 20th via Roadrunner Records) and now the band has also revealed the album's cover art.

3 days ago, Swedish progressive metal icons, OPETH, announced on their official site that their upcoming 10th studio album will be titled "Heritage" and that more information will follow soon. A day later Roadrunner Records confirmed the track listing as well as the first single/video off the record for the song "The Devil's Orchard."

"Heritage" was produced by the band's own founding member/frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, while mixing was handled with the help of Steven Wilson (frontman/guitarist for fellow label mates PROCUPINE TREE).

Mikael Åkerfeldt had this to say about the record:

"It will be our 10th album/observation. I dig it; we all do. In fact, it feels like I've been building up to write for and participate on an album like this since I was 19."

"It's quite intense at times in some 'old' murky way, and quite beautiful and stark at times, if I may say so myself. It's obvious I'm going to say nice things about it since I wrote basically the whole piece, but I guess it will raise a few eyebrows and it certainly is an acquired taste. I think you'll need a slightly deeper understanding of our music as a whole to be able to appreciate this record. I've realized my influences for this album are so diverse that I can't really say what it sounds like. If I can compare it to any other band, it would have to be Opeth, but it's different from the stuff we've done before. I've listened a lot to Alice Cooper for the last year, yet I can't say it sounds like 'No More Mr. Nice Guy'. I hope you'll like it once you hear it."

Artwork for 'Heritage' was done by longtime collaborator Travis Smith, who worked with Mikael Åkerfeldt on the cover art's concept and execution.

Track listing for Heritage is as follows:

• Heritage
• The Devil's Orchard
• I Feel the Dark
• Slither
• Nepenthe
• Haxprocess
• Famine
• The Lines in My Hand
• Folklore
• Marrow of the Earth

Release dates for "Heritage" have not yet been announced. Roadrunner Records confirms that the album will be available in a wide variety of packages that should suffice all die-hard OPETH fans. The band is also set to embark on a 7 week headline tour of the U.S.; dates for the trek are yet to be announced.


[Source: Roadrunner Records, Opeth.com]

Once the news broke out about the passing of legendary front man Ronnie James Dio (DIO, Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell) musicians from all over the world started updating their online statuses, to pay respect to one of Metal's most beloved (and probably most respected) front men.

The following are just a small chunk from Twitter, Facebook and other websites:



Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell):

"Yesterday 16th May my dear, dear friend Ronnie James Dio passed away at 7.45am LA time.

I’ve been in total shock I just can’t believe he’s gone. Ronnie was one of the nicest people you could ever meet, we had some fantastic times together.

Ronnie loved what he did, making music and performing on stage. He loved his fans so much.

He was a kind man and would put himself out to help others. I can honestly say it’s truly been an honor to play at his side for all these years, his music will live on forever. Our thoughts are with Wendy Dio who stood by Ronnie until the end, he loved her very much. The man with the magic voice is a star amongst stars, a true professional. I’ll miss you so much my dear friend.

RIP - Tony"

Iron Maiden:

"It is with huge sadness we hear that Ronnie has lost his battle against stomach cancer, and our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Wendy and family at this terrible time.

"From his earlier years in ELF, BLACK SABBATH and DIO, right through to his most recent days fronting HEAVEN & HELL, Ronnie, time and again, proved his genius as a frontman, always giving his all to his fans and his music.

"Ronnie was not only an incredibly gifted singer but also a wonderfully warm, intelligent and generous person and this shone through both on and off stage leaving a positive mark on everyone he came into contact with. A longstanding friend of MAIDEN, we played many shows together over the years and we will all miss him greatly.

"The world has lost an irreplaceable talent and, first and foremost, one of the finest human beings you could ever wish to meet."

Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth):

"I saw the news last night and I hated them.

"Ronnie James Dio is gone…. I love him almost like a family member, and I feel empty and lonely knowing he's not around anymore. He sits on my wall as he has since my family moved in here. Can't bring myself to hear him sing right now, even though I think it might be comforting if I did.

"I was fortunate enough to meet him and share a few drinks with him once, and it's a memory I will treasure to the end of my days. He blew my mind, quite honestly.

"Thank you, Ronnie James Dio, for everything!

"Our collective condolences goes out to his families and friends and the musicians that were fortunate enough to work with him.

"I was thinking about this for quite some time, and I think we can say for sure that even if he was taken from us too soon (100 years from now would've been to soon), I'm sure he felt happy with his life and what he had achieved. But it hurts, though, it really fucking hurts…. I can't stop thinking about it.

"There is a massive hole in my heart.

"Love you, Ronnie. Rest in peace.

"Your fan, Mikael Åkerfeldt"

Slash:

"RIP Ronnie James Dio, one of the best Heavy Metal singers of all time."

Robert Flyn (Machine Head):

"MACHINE HEAD had the opportunity to open for HEAVEN & HELL in May of 2007, and having never met or toured with Ronnie James Dio, it was a HUGE honor for all of us.

"He was a powerhouse singer. Incredible tone, and grit. His voice onstage was FUCKING LOUD!! Shockingly loud!! We were lucky enough to watch from side stage almost nightly, and all of us were blown away by how loud his voice was."

Chris Jericho (Fozzy/ WWE Superstar):

"Can't sleep...only Dio can soothe me through the pain I feel from his loss. The moon is just the sun at night..."

David Ellefson (Megadeth):

"He was truly one of the 'good guys' in this business and a consummate pro, someone we can all take a que and learn from. We are all fans of his and he did many great things for MEGADETH and its members, starting starting as far back as his 'Dream Evil' North American tour in which we were the support band during the 'So Far, So Good...So What' tour. . . I'm very thankful to have gotten to know and tour with him in both MEGADETH and with Tim 'Ripper' Owens.

Wendy Dio (Ronnie's wife/manager) looked after Ripper's European tour where we played several shows with HEAVEN & HELL and we got to have many good moments with Ronnie during that tour.

He is missed by us all."

Shawn Drover (Megadeth):

"I am at an absolute loss right now upon hearing that Ronnie has passed away. I had the pleasure of touring both Canada and America in 2007 when Megadeth toured with "Heaven and Hell" (Black Sabbath in my eyes) and I swear to you he is 1 of the nicest human beings I have ever met, period. Many a night on that tour, Glen and myself would have amazing conversation's with Ronnie about his career, etc. fully knowing he had probably told these stories 10,000 times to people and yet he answered every question I had with a big smile.

I can recall so many times making eye contact with Glen sharing the exact same thought - "Dude, I can't believe we are hanging with RONNIE JAMES DIO!!!!!" If you are lucky enough in your lifetime to actually meet 1 of your idols (let alone tour with them) and they turn out to be even nicer than you could have envisioned, that is something you would truly treasure. Lucky for me, I will cherish those memories forever..................."

Arch Enemy:

"Today is an immensely sad day for the heavy metal / hard rock community as we mourn the loss of one of the most amazing talents in the genre. Ever. "A master of his craft and a true gentleman. Funny, smart and witty. He will be much missed by the ARCH ENEMY camp. "

Dio's voice will echo in eternity!"

*Update:

KISS:

"We mourn the tragic passing of the great Ronnie James Dio. In addition to his powerhouse vocal ability, Ronnie was a true gentleman who always emanated great warmth and friendship to us and everyone around him. We will miss him.

Paul, Gene, Tommy and Eric"

Judas Priest:

"We are filled with great sadness at the terrible news about our friend Ronnie James Dio - our condolences and love go to Wendy and Ronnie's family - Ronnie was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed.

ROB, GLENN, K.K., IAN & SCOTT"

Scott Ian (Antrhax):

"Dio, Italian for God. Words won't do the man justice so we won't even try. Horns up always!"

Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour):

"One of the strongest, purist and consistent singers of all time. Ronnie sang like he lived -- all out, from the heart, with so much honesty and joy. He was a great man with a smile and a handshake for fans and peers alike. He spoke his mind and stood his ground for decades. I will miss him dearly."

Kerry King (Slayer):

"Few people have had the ability to carry a song like Dio, literally demanding your attention as he effortlessly recreated live the amazing things he did on record,"

"It's odd how things get taken from you quickly...I just saw him a month ago. I know I was lucky to have known Ronnie. One of the nicest guys in the business without a doubt. He will be hugely missed."

Killswitch Engage:

"It's a very, very sad day in metal, and this one hits pretty hard. Dio was one of the greatest metal singers of all time. His soaring vocal lines even to this day, strike a chord in me that few other singers can come close to. Even in his old age, Dio rocked harder and more on point then 99% of the singers out there.

He is truly a musician's musician; a model for the new school to aspire towards. A man who stuck to his guns, and played the type of music HE wanted to play...and extremely well at that!"

Feel free to add any Ronnie related quotes or links in the comments section, and they will be added to the post.

This space will be updated shortly.