Opeth's Soothing Growls and Atmospheric Melodies: How a Ukrainian Metal Vocalist Discovered the Prog Metal Titans

Tatiana Shmailyuk, the lead vocalist of the Ukrainian metal band Jinjer, discovered the progressive metal powerhouse Opeth as a teenager in the early 2000s. In a 2019 interview with Prog magazine, she shared how Opeth's frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt's captivating vocals and the band's atmospheric sound profoundly influenced her own musical journey and creative expression.

Unlocking a World of Progressive Metal: Tatiana's Opeth Odyssey

Discovering the Damnation of Opeth

Shmailyuk's introduction to Opeth came in the early 2000s, when a friend introduced her to the band's 2003 album "Damnation." She was immediately captivated by Åkerfeldt's versatile vocal performance, which seamlessly transitioned from soothing clean singing to the band's signature guttural growls. The atmospheric and emotive nature of the album left a lasting impression on the young Shmailyuk, who found herself drawn to the band's ability to create a cinematic listening experience."I fell in love with it and I've been a huge fan ever since," Shmailyuk recalled. "It's my favorite album of theirs. Oh my God, it's so atmospheric! And Mikael Åkerfeldt's voice is so soothing – I'd never heard a male metal vocalist sing so clean before, but when he growled, it was the deepest shit I'd ever heard."

Exploring the Depths of Opeth's Discography

Shmailyuk's discovery of Opeth opened up a new world of progressive metal for her. As she delved deeper into the band's discography, she found herself drawn to the intricate compositions, the interplay between light and dark, and the emotional depth that permeated Opeth's music. Albums like "Sorceress," released in 2016, became a source of solace and inspiration for the vocalist, who found the album's soothing and contemplative nature to be the perfect accompaniment for her creative endeavors."I found their 2016 album, Sorceress, very relaxing too. It's an album that needs time to really appreciate and understand it. I like to have it on when I go to sleep. I find it very soothing – but I miss his growling!"

Discovering the Wider Realm of Progressive Music

Shmailyuk's encounter with Opeth sparked a deeper exploration of the progressive metal genre, leading her to discover other influential bands in the scene. Through Opeth, she was introduced to the likes of Tool, Anathema, Porcupine Tree, and Katatonia, further expanding her musical horizons and shaping her own artistic sensibilities."Discovering Opeth was a revelation to me. At the time I was listening to mostly nu metal and alternative music, then through Opeth I discovered progressive metal. Tool came next, then Anathema, Porcupine Tree and Katatonia. I really like Soen and Riverside now as well."

Witnessing Opeth's Live Mastery

Shmailyuk's admiration for Opeth reached new heights when she had the opportunity to witness the band perform live at the Rock The Coast Festival in Spain. Watching Åkerfeldt and his bandmates command the stage was a surreal experience for the Jinjer vocalist, who found herself captivated by the sheer power and emotion of Opeth's live performance."The first time I got to see Opeth live was actually this summer. We were both playing at Rock The Coast Festival in Spain and I was lucky enough to be able to watch them from the side of the stage. I was singing along and it was so cool."Despite her deep reverence for Åkerfeldt and Opeth's music, Shmailyuk remained humble and respectful, choosing not to approach the frontman after the show, as she felt it would be too overwhelming for her to do so."I didn't go up to Mikael afterwards though. I don't think he needs to hear what I think about his music! I would probably have been too paralysed with fear to talk to him anyway, because he's my hero!"Tatiana Shmailyuk's journey with Opeth has been a transformative one, shaping her musical tastes, creative expression, and even her own vocal approach. The band's atmospheric and progressive sound has left an indelible mark on the Jinjer vocalist, inspiring her to explore the depths of the genre and push the boundaries of her own artistic endeavors.