Opeth

After 20 years of upping the ante of progressive death metal, Opeth remains one of those rare examples of a rotating lineup now down to one original member—vocalist/guitarist Mikeal Akerfeldt—who’s still willing to take big risks. On 2008’s Watershed, the Swedish outfit traded in its spiked gauntlets for some classic-rock revivalism and a bit of bong resin. A pair of live albums were released soon after, with the band’s 10th studio album, Heritage, out now.

Updated 09/21/2011