OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt is featured in a new interview with Norway's Metal Express Radio correspondent Kris Nergård. Discussion includes the band's latest album, songwriting, touring, line-up changes and the future. Clickhere to check it out.

As previously reported, DREAM THEATER recently announced plans for a European leg of the Progressive Nation 2009 Tour, due to take place in the fall with Opeth, BIGELF And UNEXPECT as support. Drummer Mike Portnoy has checked in with the following dates. More shows are due to be announced soon.

September

23 - Ice Hall - Helsinki, Finland
25 - Hovet - Stockholm, Sweden
27 - KB Hallen - Copenhagen, Denmark
29 - Arena - Berlin, Germany
30 - Luczniczka Hall - Bydgoszcz, Poland

October

2 - Sporthalle - Hamburg, Germany
4 - Zenith - Paris, France
6 - Zenith - Lille, France
7 - Ahoy - Rotterdam, Netherlands

The official press release for the Progressive Nation tour is below:

Joining the tour will be DT’s tourmates from PN08 (and Roadrunner Records labelmates), the legendary OPETH from Stockholm Sweden. Vocalist/Guitarist Mikael Akerfeldt was excited to partake in another experience: "Once my man 'The Port' suggested they're going to bring Progressive Nation over to Europe, I more or less begged him to get us on it, haha! We had such a great time doing it in North America and it did many great things for us as a band. It's fair to say that I can't wait to get going with this one. It will be a blast, believe me!!”

Los Angeles band Bigelf will bring their unique brand of psychedelic, progressive hard rock to PN09. Vocalist/Keyboardist Damon Fox adds: "When I first met Mike Portnoy, I felt like we were cut from the same

cloth, a brother from another mother. We could talk rock & roll for eons (we probably will on tour, hell yeah!). Being added to the Progressive Nation tour feels like the planets have aligned for us and the elves have finally come home to Rivendell. The mentality of Dream Theater and Progressive Nation reminds me of a quote from the great Willy Wonka, "There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be..." We eagerly await our return to Northern Europe and on a special note, we have never performed in England. This has driven us completely mad over the years. We are just brimming with passion and excitement to be able to bring our music back to the homeland which has inspired us so deeply.”

Opening the show each night will be Canada’s UNEXPECT who will surely blow people’s minds with their insane musicianship and avant garde style of extreme progressive metal. Guitarist Syriak had this to say: "How can we rationally express that crazy excitement we feel about this awesome turn of events. Upon getting offered by Mike to be on board this amazing prog vessel, we accepted at once to participate and add our own mad musical touch to the crew! Being part of the European leg of PN09 is an extreme honor for us and playing in company of such talented musicians shall be a true and heartfelt enjoyment! See you all on stage guys!! "

The European leg of Progressive Nation will follow on the heels of the North American version of PN09 which will run throughout July and August 2009 in the US and Canada featuring Dream Theater, ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA, PAIN OF SALVATION and BEARDFISH.

Progressive Nation's successful inaugural run throughout North America in 2008 featured OPETH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and THREE.